• 0

Marketoonist | Tom Fishburne

Marketoonist is the thought bubble of Tom Fishburne. Marketing cartoons, content marketing with a sense of humor, keynote speaking.

  • Campaigns
  • Speaking
  • About
  • Cartoons
  • Contact
  • Book
  • 0

the 8 types of retail buyers

November 2, 2008

  • Paid licensing options include high resolution download.
  • Presentation $40 Add to Cart
  • Newsletter or Website $125 Add to Cart
  • Corporate Blog/Sponsored Post $60 Add to Cart
  • Looking for other licensing options? click here
  • View Cart
TweetLinkedInFacebookEmail

081103b.buyers

(A quick groveling note to any retail buyers I work with who may be reading: this cartoon was entirely inspired by anecdotes from other people (my competitors actually).  So, please, please, pretty please don't discontinue my products.  OK, Partner?)

Now that the fearful groveling is out of the way, I've been thinking a lot about retail in the context of the credit crunch lately.  Consumers are obviously looking to brands and retailers for solutions.

This is tough, because I'd classify many retailer/manufacturer "relationships" as transactional, not really relationships at all.  And those transactions can be pretty combative.  It's often centered on the negotiation: each side trying to grab a larger slice of the pie.  It's rarely driven by growing the collective pie, which takes creativity on both sides.

I recently came across this telling vignette on the "Tug of War Brewing Over Food Prices."  It gives a glimpse of the standard back-and-forth between retailers and manufacturers.

This is true in the best of times.  But, it's particularly true when times are tough.  Which, ironically, is when there is the greatest need for creative new thinking.  Brands and retailers need to rethink their role for consumers.

BigknitIn a recession, "lowering price" is not the only solution.  You can also look to "increase value". 

My favorite manufacturer/retail collaboration on "increasing value" is still the innocent big knit promotion at Sainsbury's, which I've blogged about before and is just starting to hit shelves again.  Increases value to both innocent and Sainsbury's (and helps a nice cause to boot).  Win win win (as you'll see from this short video featuring my friend Andrew learning to knit).

On a related note, I'm speaking at a conference in a couple weeks on marketing in a credit crunch.  If you happen to have any other suggestions or ideas on ways to "increase value", rather than just "lower price", please leave a comment on this post.  I'll send out a free book for the most useful post received by next Monday, November 10th.

Filed Under: retail

  • Paid licensing options include high resolution download.
  • Presentation $40 Add to Cart
  • Newsletter or Website $125 Add to Cart
  • Corporate Blog/Sponsored Post $60 Add to Cart
  • Looking for other licensing options? click here
  • View Cart
Your Ad Ignored Here Book Image

15 years of Marketoonist compiled for your marketing pleasure.

Order Now

About Marketoonist

Marketoonist is the thought bubble of Tom Fishburne a career marketer and cartoonist. Learn More...

Browse Blog Posts

Most Popular Cartoons Browse Categories

Marketoon Campaigns

contentmarketing

Content marketing with a sense of humor.

Learn More

Keynote Speaking

speakingworkshops

Insightful, funny, and visual keynote talks and workshops.

Book Tom to Speak

Search Blog Posts

Interested? Let’s Talk!

Footer Form - Let's Talk

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Marketoons

Browse Categories
Spacing Things Out

About Marketoonist

Tom Fishburne is the Founder and CEO of Marketoonist, a content marketing studio that helps businesses reach their audiences with cartoons.

© 2025 Marketoonist