{"id":3418,"date":"2015-12-08T18:36:10","date_gmt":"2015-12-08T23:36:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digital.hbs.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/bonobos-delivering-excellent-service-and-products-through-their-direct-to-consumer-distribution-channels\/"},"modified":"2015-12-08T18:36:10","modified_gmt":"2015-12-08T23:36:10","slug":"bonobos-making-fit-happen","status":"publish","type":"hck-submission","link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/bonobos-making-fit-happen\/","title":{"rendered":"Bonobos: Making Fit Happen"},"content":{"rendered":"

Between 2010 and 2015, men\u2019s clothing was the fastest growing e-commerce category, outpacing electronics, groceries, cosmetics, and health products [1]. Founded in 2007 to eliminate \u201ckhaki diaper butt\u201d, Bonobos [2] has been at the forefront of the shift to the internet in the men\u2019s e-commerce apparel industry. With nearly $100 million in annual sales and $128 million raised in venture capital funding, Bonobos is now the largest apparel brand ever built on the web in the United States [3]. I believe that the company is an example of a company whose business and operating models are well aligned.<\/p>\n

Bonobos is on a mission to be the most loved clothing company of all time, and creates value by offering its customers the best customer experience possible and amazing products with a focus on fit. In an industry where men prefer targeted shopping experiences and don\u2019t window shop as often, Bonobos offers their consumers three convenient ways to shop for their clothing: online via their website, in Nordstrom stores across the U.S., and in one of their 20 proprietary showrooms (\u201cguideshops\u201d). The company offers free shipping and returns on all orders, as well as a 365-day return policy.<\/p>\n

\"Bonobos<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Customer Experience<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bonobos provides customers with an amazing shopping experience in their guideshops by delivering personalized appointments to help customers find the products that are right for them. When an order is placed in a guideshop, the customer walks out empty-handed and their products are shipped to them overnight. If a web customer needs help, the company\u2019s customer service team is always ready with an average wait time of 3 rings – several times faster than the industry average! [4] The company\u2019s customer service employees, known as ninjas, are co-located with the rest of the company in their Flatiron District headquarters in New York City. The ninjas are empowered to delight customers with every interaction, and help Bonobos keep a competitive advantage by ensuring that product feedback is relayed to the product teams in real time. The short feedback loop allows the design and merchandising teams to see trends more quickly and to react more proactively to customer demands.<\/p>\n

Bonobos also has a competitive advantage relative to its peers in the apparel industry because of its internal software engineering team. By not having to rely on external contractors to build and operate its web operations, Bonobos has the ability to innovate and create a shopping experience that is seamless between its web and guideshop operations.<\/p>\n

\"bonobos3.001\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Product Focus<\/strong><\/p>\n

Due to the company selling direct to consumer via their website and showrooms, Bonobos is able to offer an incredible amount of size variations that wouldn\u2019t be possible in a traditional physical retail environment. For example, they offer 3-5 silhouette profiles on the majority of the shirt and pant offerings, as well as a large size variation on their core products. For a pair of khaki chinos Bonobos offers approximately 175 different size and fit combinations, whereas J. Crew only offers 24 on a similar product. [5] This focus on fit differentiates Bonobos because it allows them to reach a broader customer base and to give customers the best fit possible. When the consumer has more choice, the consumer wins!<\/p>\n

In summary, I believe that Bonobos\u2019 business and operating models are aligned based on its ability to deliver an amazing customer experience and phenomenal products via its operating model of selling clothes direct to consumer on their website, in their guideshops, and in Nordstrom locations.<\/p>\n

\"bonobos<\/a><\/p>\n

Sources<\/p>\n

[1] http:\/\/qz.com\/355433\/mens-clothing-is-outpacing-cameras-computers-and-beer-in-growth-of-online-sales<\/p>\n

[2] http:\/\/bonobos.com<\/p>\n

[3] http:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/how-bonobos-is-maturing-into-a-major-brand-2015-8<\/p>\n

[4] http:\/\/www.supportindustry.com\/researchinsight_AHT.htm<\/p>\n

[5] https:\/\/www.jcrew.com\/mens_category\/pants_1\/chino\/PRDOVR~19488\/19488.jsp<\/p>\n

[6] https:\/\/bonobos.com\/products\/washed-chinos?color=the%20khakis&pant-fit=boot&pant-waist=40<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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