Giordano International
Giordano International was founded in Hong Kong in 1981 and is now one of the world’s leading international retailers of men’s, women’s and children’s apparel and accessories. By focusing relentlessly on its five corporate business values of Quality, Knowledge, Innovation, Service and Simplicity(Q.K.I.S.S), the brand has grown from its single Hong Kong store in 1981 to the present network of over 2,100 stores and counters in over 30 countries in Greater China, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Australia, India, Africa and the Gulf Cooperative Council.
Giordano’s global success story has been featured as a case study at the Harvard Business School. The company has also received international recognition for its commitment to corporate governance.
Giordano’s Mission & Vision
Giordano’s Vision is – “To be the Biggest and the Best World Brand in Apparel Retailing”
(A World Brand is a brand that has no centre, knows no national borders. It is cross-cultural and is owned by local consumers. It is truly a “Think Global – Act Local” scenario. Each market adapts to their customer’s needs, wants and culture, but all maintain a cosmopolitan, international and contemporary touch.)
The brand’s Mission is – “To Make People Feel Good and Look Great”.
Giordano’s Corporate Values
QKISS – Quality, Knowledge, Innovation, Service, Simplicity
About Giordano
Giordano embodies the contemporary lifestyle choices – simplicity in design and quality in substance. Its total commitment to superior service, excellent quality and great value has enabled the company to successfully execute its multiple-market and multiple-brand strategy.
Giordano today is one of the top five clothing retailers in the whole Arab region. The brand’s merchandise mix of relaxed and smart casuals has proven popular for all age groups and nationalities, demonstrating the global appeal for the brand.
The heart of the Giordano system is that it is totally customer responsive. Information, speed and simplicity are the key components driving the entire operation.
Giordano’s brand philosophy is modern simplicity and style – where less is more and a style that accentuates and enhances an individual’s inner beauty through modern, classic and timeless clothes. In an industry constantly adapting to changing trends that result in rising production costs, Giordano has developed a flexible approach to fashion retailing.
Giordano’s Office in the Middle East
Our office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Giordano Middle East FZE (Free Zone Establishment), was established in 1993 as a 100 % subsidiary of Giordano International and provides strategic support, logistics, and management to Giordano’s franchise partners across the region and is also responsible for Giordano’s Expansion and Franchising across the Globe.
Giordano Stores
The average sizes of our stores are between 1000- 2000 square feet. The brand also operates large format/flagship stores of over 7,500 square feet in key locations. The strategy is to select accessible and effective locations so that Giordano stores are within easy reach of all customers.
USP
The USP of the brand is to consistently provide to its customers:
- Timeless Quality Product
- Exceptional Customer service by well-trained employees.
- Additional Services – Alteration, Global exchange policy
- Strategic Locations – ensuring easy accessibility for its customers
Maintaining a Competitive Edge
Giordano has evolved in the last 40 years from a basic mass market retailer to one that provides quality product, world class customer service and exceptional value to its customers. In the dynamic world today it is important to evolve and continuously address the needs of the consumers and the markets. The brand has consistently built emotional ties with its customers and strives to provide its customers with an exceptional shopping experience.
There are several initiatives taken to ensure that the brand is able to sustain its growth.
Some of these initiatives are:
Continuous interaction with Customers
Communication with customers through personal calls, regular SMS, HTML’s, emails, and newsletters ensures that customers are kept up to date on the brands products and services. This also enables the brand to get feedback from its customers, which is integral to our development and ensures that we deliver what the customer needs.
Online and Real Time System
The brand has a very innovative and real time retail system that links all its stores globally. The system which has been developed in-house and is totally customised to ensure that the brand has the information required for its buying, sales, and other relevant functions.
This enables the brand to take informed decisions on inventory, customer profiles and requirements.. The system enables the sales and the buying team to review stocks, sales and other relevant information in real time for any of its stores or markets. Relevant reports can be generated as required to enable the management team to plan and implement effectively.
Inventory Management
The brand has a very efficient and effective inventory management system which links all its retail stores and markets. This enables all markets to have real time information and ensure that it manages an optimal DOI (days of Inventory). Corrective action can be taken promptly for any variances from the standards set, thus ensuring optimal use of resources both regionally and globally.
Keeping it Simple
The corporate value of “Simplicity” is followed at all levels thus ensuring Speed of operations. The business model ensures that processes are simple and efficient thus creating value for its customers.
It is from Simplicity that all our other values follow. By keeping it simple, you become more nimble to streamline your operation and allow you the speed to make changes as and when required.
All of the above ensures that Giordano is able to maintain its competitive edge and can face the day to day challenges of the retail world.
Product
Simple pleasures of basic fashion – that is the driving force of Giordano. Giordano’s styling always revolves around what is relevant, essential and functional. The look is relaxed and the merchandise can easily be mixed together to match any occasion, mood or place. Customers can be assured, “to feel good and look great”.
The product development team works continuously on product innovation to provide product differentiation and enhanced value for the customers. There is a continuous process of innovation keeping in mind customer and market needs.
Advertising and Marketing
Giordano has always been the leader in innovative marketing and advertising techniques. Creativity and differentiation is the key and Giordano aims at all times to bring something new to the region.
The brands strongest marketing tool is its stores, which are strategically located at most of the malls, residential areas and business districts in order to be easily accessible to its customers. While the normal channels of marketing and advertising are used by the brand, the stores become one of the most powerful tools to communicate and interact directly with customers. Well-designed stores, creative displays, strong visual merchandising and store ambience, all ensure that the customers have a pleasant shopping experience and are attracted to the brand.
The corporate web-site is used effectively to communicate with the customers on new merchandise, seasonal campaigns, promotions, and various other activities. Newsletters and mailers are sent to ensure regular communication with the customers. Careful planning ensures that all marketing communication methods are aligned to consistently position the brand in the market.
Customer Focus
Providing exceptional customer service is a key objective for every employee. Staffs undergo continuous training in customer service and are monitored and assessed on a regular basis. Consistent and exceptional service providers are recognised and rewarded through the monthly staff awards scheme.
The brand keeps contact with its customers and solicits feedback on an on-going basis.
Customer Loyalty Program – WWS
Giordano has always focused on exceeding customer’s expectations in terms of merchandise and service. It has initiated many additional services such as complimentary alterations, global exchange policy, and a customer service toll free hotline.
The brand launched its WWS – World Without Strangers-it’s global and card less loyalty program in 2007 with the objective to reward its loyal customers. The USP of this program is its global presence, the simplicity of its usage and your mobile number being your personal identification or membership number. Customers are able to get discounts and accumulate points on every purchase they make and can also access their information online and or on their mobile phone.
The Program has received a tremendous response since its launch and today has over 10 Million WWS members globally.
Social Responsibility
Giordano is committed to being a successful and responsible corporate citizen. This means it is committed, to delivering quality products and quality service to its customers and maintains a strong, and sustained financial performance for its shareholders. It is also committed to creating a positive impact in the communities where it conducts business. It aims to achieve this by supporting charitable organizations and causes; by ensuring that the workers producing their products are treated with fairness and respect; and at all times achieving its goals through environmentally friendly means.
Giordano’s Social Responsibility Statement is a simple and concise statement of its values, intentions and expectations. The statement serves as the foundation for it to monitor and improve on its performance, keeping in mind changes in local laws and regulations, trade practices and their risk assessment.