Battle Of The Brands

GHHS News

Local Businesses Fighting for Your Money

Claudia Esber – December 13, 2011

A look at two stores in comptetion with one another. Which one do most people prefer?

Many companies have symbols that represent their store. This is the emblem for Abercrombie & Fitch, the moose.

All around the world, companies are constantly striding to be the best. They want the majority of teenagers to be drawn to their company, and to their company only.

There are many companies that are in competition with one another. To name a few, Abercrombie & Fitch vs. American Eagle, Victoria’s Secret vs. Gilly Hicks, and even places like Graeter’s Ice Cream and Dairy Queen are always trying to override other companies. They may be different in name, but they are all somewhat similar in the styles or flavors they have to offer.

Which one would most people pick? Well for younger kids, the price of each competing store is what makes their choice a lot easier, not necessarily the quality. If you can buy a satisfying ice cream cone for two or three dollars cheaper than the other brand, most teens are more attracted to that particular company.

However, that isn’t always the case. In fact, when it comes to buying clothing items, the price definitely does play a major role in whether or not to purchase something, but so does the quality.

If you’re looking to buy a shirt that you can get a lot of wear out of, it’s probably going to cost at least ten times as much as your ice cream did. Although in the long run, the shirt can be worn several times without ever looking cheap or worn-down.

To compare two companies out of the many out there, Abercrombie & Fitch and American Eagle seem to be similar, yet uniquely different stores. Most people are familiar with these two companies in battle.

Abercrombie & Fitch has a strong, and well-known brand, which has allowed the company to achieve significant success throughout the international markets. It is good then that ANF maintains its premium status, and focuses on the superior quality of clothing.

American Eagle brands seem to have less international appeal as compared to Abercrombie & Fitch. Due to their clothes being much cheaper, they attract an outrageous amount of teenagers into their store. Abercrombie and Fitch might be drastically more expensive, but If each company portrays similar styles in their store, then you’re really only paying for the brand name.

Aileen Evans, junior at Grandview Heights High School says she prefers American Eagle because, “for one I like their clothes better and another because their initials spell AE, which are my initials too!”

Aileen also goes on to explain why she chooses American Eagle over A&F. “Abercrombie gives me asthma attacks when I walk into the store because of the intense perfume smell. I also think American Eagle is much cheaper

On the other hand, Jake Smith Senior at Grandview Heights High School would have to disagree. “I would choose Abercrombie because I worked there, and it wasn't too bad, most of my nice clothing is from Abercrombie.

Owning a nice, expensive pair of jeans is always good to have. Although at the end of the day it should not be about what you wear, is should be about what makes you feel good in the clothing you choose to wear.

Just because everyone else is wearing a particular style or brand of clothing shouldn’t mean you should convince yourself to do the same. Differing styles among teenagers allows them to choose clothing for themselves based on what makes them who they are.

Companies might advertise to you how their store is the best one out there, but getting sucked into what other people believe is right for you is the wrong way to look at it.

Everyone has different opinions on the way they decide to portray themselves. Companies may try to alter your personal individuality, but when it all comes down to it, what you choose to dress yourself in every morning, is your own personal decision.