1. CORE PROCESS DIAGRAM
8.4.2011 1 | P a g e
PHASES IN CORE PROCESS
PURPOSE OF EACH PHASE
Strategic Design
Merchandising
/ Product
Development
Marketing Sales
Production Distribution Retail Consumer
Strategic
•To provide direction
Design
•To translate direction
into product
Merchandising /
Product Development
• To organize/execute
direction into structure
Marketing
•To bring direction and
product to market
Sales
•To sell product
Production
•To produce product
Distribution
•To receive/deliver
product
Retail
•To platform product to
consumer
Consumer
•To purchase and enjoy
product

2. CORE PROCESS DIAGRAM
8.4.2011 2 | P a g e
KEY SUB-PHASES
STRATEGIC
•Evolve Core Process
•Update Product
Strategy
•Inspiration and
Vision
DESIGN
•Design Aesthetic &
Vitality
•Research & Sourcing
Process
•Execution &
Technical Process
•Design Collaboration,
Sustenance &
Advancement
MERCHANDIZING /
PRODUCT
DEVELOPEMNT
• Line Assortment
Planning
•Sourcing
•Product
Management
•Deliver Market Week
Requirements
MARKETING
•Research and
collaboration
•Marketing strategy
and objectives
•Advertising and
promotional material
production
•Marketing plan
implement & assess
SALES
•Sales Strategy
•Selling Analysis
•Order Maintenance
•Profitability
PRODUCTION
•Pre‐Market
•Production /Tech Fit
Process
•Quality Control
•Work In Process
DISTRIBUTION
•Importing of Product
•Warehouse
Processing
•Financial Logistics
•Shipping & Exporting
RETAIL
• Product Knowledge
and Visual
Merchandising
•PR Events/National
Advertising
•Marketing Initiatives
catalogues/contests
•Direct Retail
CONSUMER
•Interacting with
consumer directly
•Customer service
•Analyze product and
financial results
•Build Customer
Loyalty/Relationship

3. Core Process – Stage 1, Strategy
1 Preparation for Corporate Product Strategy Meeting
a Review buying/selling patterns
b
Review lifestyle patterns (ie shift in consumer wearing habits,
spending, shopping, etc)
c Review distribution patterns
2 Define Corporate Product Strategy
a Define market strategy
b Assess internal operating capabilities
c Finalize and communicate
3 Inspiration and Vision
a Create and validate Inspiration and Vision
1 Preparation for Corporate Product Strategy Meeting
a Review buying/selling patterns
i Analyze offerings for previous 2 seasons by brand/classification
ii Analyze bookings for 2 previous seasons by brand/classification
iii Analyze selling for previous 2 seasons by brand/classification
iv Compile findings from review
v Present findings and recommendations for new market offering
b
Review lifestyle patterns (ie shift in consumer wearing habits, spending,
shopping, etc)
i Scan apparel market place to identify consumer patterns
ii Identify how changing lifestyle patterns affect Natori brands
iii
Identify how retailers and competition are positioned to respond to changing
lifestyle patterns
iv Present recommendations to address changing lifestyle patterns by brand
c Review distribution patterns
i Analyze current distribution
ii Identify areas for growth and expansion
iii Present recommendations to expand distribution
1 Preparation for Corporate Product Strategy Meeting
2 Define Corporate Product Strategy
3 Inspiration and Vision

4. Core Process – Stage 1, Strategy
2 Define Corporate Product Strategy
a Define market strategy
i Ms. Natori casts her product vision and goals
ii Product Strategy team discusses Ms. Natori vision
iii Explore fit of opportunities to current product portfolio
iv Draft New Product Strategy
v Set market goals
b Assess internal operating capabilities
i Assess capacity and needs to take advantage of opportunities
ii Evaluate capacity of people to take on more change
iii Project sales, profit and ROI
iv Identify strategies to minimize operational risk
c Finalize and communicate
i Update the Corporate budget
ii Communicate strategy to whole organization
iii Create preliminary market menu by brand
3 Inspiration and Vision
a Create and validate Inspiration and Vision
i Mrs. Natori Creates Inspiration for Season
ii Assure inspiration consistent with season being designed for (Spring/Fall)
iii Investigate and evaluate historical content and the wealth of material resources
iv Evaluate inspiration in regards to brand identity and target customers
v Indentify any issues or specific needs with inspiration in each catagorey
vi Present Inspiration to Design