2. PURPOSE
The purpose of this project was to compare similar products
of different brands and price points to determine and
differences based on construction.
3. HYPOTHESIS
• Based on country of origin of each towel the construction cost will be similar.
• Since the fiber content is 100% cotton for each towel, we predicted that each towel
would have similar shrinkage.
4. PROCEDURE
The towels were evaluated on construction, cost and size.
The construction of each towel was evaluated by looking at the materials used, seam types
and the number of seams.
The construction of each towel was evaluated before and after ten washes and comparted
to the standard set by the manufacturer.
The cost of each towel was evaluated based on materials, trimmings, labor, packaging,
duties/taxes and indirect cost. Material cost was found at the wholesale price of fabric by
yard. Labor rates per country were found, packaging cost were calculated by towel and
duties/taxes were found by using HTS schedule for duties. Indirect cost was found by
adding the material, trimming, labor, packaging an duties/taxes cost total multiplied by
the U.S. average indirect cost.
7. GARMENT SIZING AND FIT
Measurement Area Better Homes & Gardens Wamsutta Noble Excellence
Original Wash Standard Original Wash Standard Original Wash Standard
54.5 in. 49.5 in. 54 in. 55 in. 51.5 in. 56 in. 57 in. 54.5 in. 56 in.
31 in. 29 in. 30 in. 30 in. 29.5 in. 30 in. 31.5 in. 30 in. 30 in.
Product Length
Product Width
8. GARMENT LABELING
Better Homes & Gardens Wamsutta Noble Excellence
Price $4.93 $14.99 $20.00
Fiber Content 100% Cotton 100% Cotton 100% Cotton
RN Number Walmart Stores Inc. 100350 58909
Country of Origin India India India
9. ANALYSIS
Performance of towels is affected by several factors including size, price and construction. The performance
and structure of the Better Homes & Garden, Wamsuttta and Noble Excellence are all similar, despite the
retail price of Better Home & Garden priced at $4.93, Wamsutte at $14.99 and Noble Excellence $20.00.
Two of the brands, Better Homes & Gardens and Wamsutta did not meet industry standards for sizing
before being laundered. Noble Excellence exceeded sizing for industry standards before laundered. After ten
washes, all of the towels failed to meet standard size set by the manufacturer of each towel.
The final production cost of Better Homes & Gardens is $4.13, Wamsutta at $4.80 and Noble Excellence at
$4.91. The reasons for difference in cost is packaging used between the different brands of towels. Better
Homes & Gardens had the least cost for packaging and Noble Excellence on he other hand, had the highest
cost for packaging.
Construction specifications of all towels had a lockstitch seam with an edge finish (300 EF-1). The only
construction difference between the towels was found in Better Homes & Gardens. That brand had a second
line of stitching lengthwise of the towel.
10. CONCLUSION
All three towels are 100% cotton and each were constructed similar. All three brands
did not meet industry standards for sizing. The best overall towel for shrinkage was
Noble Excellence. Based on production cost and retail pricing, Better Homes &
Gardens had the best value with only a $0.80 mark up in price. The overall
construction is similar when looking at seams. The only difference between the towels
was in the Better Homes & Gardens towel had two rows of stitching lengthwise of the
towel. In conclusion, the best towel for price and construction is Better Homes &
Gardens.
