MASS CUSTOMIZATION 
Lara Kessides & Brit Vezina 
1
A LITTLE HISTORY 
• Customization itself isn’t new; 
there was once a time when 
nearly everything was custom-made 
for consumers. 
• However, the Industrial 
Revolution brought major 
change: products became 
mass-produced for large 
consumer segments based on 
general commodities. 
2
MASS CUSTOMIZATION 
• Gone are the days of “one-size-fits-all.” 
• Consumers are now demanding greater 
control over the styles, colors, and features of 
their products in ways that will reflect their 
unique personalities. 
• This is reflective of the American culture 
shifting from self-effacement to self-expression, 
thanks in large part to the boom 
of social media. 
• As a result, many brands are embracing a new 
trend that combines the high-production and 
efficiency tools of mass-production, with the 
option for consumers to customize their 
products: mass customization. 
3
KEY BENEFITS FOR BRANDS 
• Staying in the know: 
• Brands have the opportunity to gain insight 
into the most current consumer trends—and 
in turn, jump ahead of their competitors. 
! 
• Brand differentiation 
• Brands can stand out from competitors who 
ofter the same standardized features. 
! 
• Consumer loyalty & engagement: 
• Consumers are compelled to stick with brands 
that allow them to purchase exactly what they 
want, rather than be limited to a fixed style or 
menu. 
4
Brands That Have Embraced Mass Customization 
5
NIKEID 
! 
• NIKEiD is a special platform on 
the brand’s website where 
consumers can be the designer 
of their shoes, bags, and other 
athletic accessories. 
• Nike has proven that mass 
customization can significantly 
contribute to a brand’s revenue; 
NIKEiD now provides 20% of 
the brand’s total revenue. 
Lara’s Shoe 
Brit’s Shoe 
6
CHIPOTLE 
• Chipotle owes much of its success as a 
leader in the fast-casual restaurant 
category to its fully customizable menu. 
• Consumers can choose every 
ingredient that goes into their meal 
through a fast and efficient assembly 
line. 
• Customizable menus are especially 
appealing to consumers who are 
health-conscious, as they are able to 
forgo unhealthy ingredients that would 
otherwise prevent them from ordering 
a specific dish. 
Brit’s Burrito 
Lara’s Burrito 
7
REPUBLIC BIKE 
• Republic Bike gives 
consumers the opportunity 
to design every aspect of 
their bicycle, from the frame 
to the tire rims. 
• The company prides itself in 
embracing mass 
customization: “The only tools 
we offer here are those to let 
your creativity go for a ride.” 
Lara’s Bike 
8 Brit’s Bike
Where Are There Opportunities? 
9
SHAMPOO 
• Shampoo is one product 
category that could benefit from 
mass customization. 
• Brands have varieties for curly, 
straight, dry, and color-treated 
hair—but what about hair types 
that are in-between? 
• Consider creating customized 
shampoo that uses special testing 
to determine the perfect formula 
for a consumer’s hair type. 
10
MAGAZINES 
• Another product category that could 
benefit from mass customization is 
magazines. 
• Consumers currently get the same 
batch of articles as every other 
reader. It’s impersonal, and often 
frustrating. 
• It may be more appealing to readers 
if brands offered a “Build-Your-Own- 
Magazine” option, where readers 
receive a version of a magazine that 
consists only of content they are 
interest in. 
11
THANK YOU! 
12

Trend Analysis

  • 1.
    MASS CUSTOMIZATION LaraKessides & Brit Vezina 1
  • 2.
    A LITTLE HISTORY • Customization itself isn’t new; there was once a time when nearly everything was custom-made for consumers. • However, the Industrial Revolution brought major change: products became mass-produced for large consumer segments based on general commodities. 2
  • 3.
    MASS CUSTOMIZATION •Gone are the days of “one-size-fits-all.” • Consumers are now demanding greater control over the styles, colors, and features of their products in ways that will reflect their unique personalities. • This is reflective of the American culture shifting from self-effacement to self-expression, thanks in large part to the boom of social media. • As a result, many brands are embracing a new trend that combines the high-production and efficiency tools of mass-production, with the option for consumers to customize their products: mass customization. 3
  • 4.
    KEY BENEFITS FORBRANDS • Staying in the know: • Brands have the opportunity to gain insight into the most current consumer trends—and in turn, jump ahead of their competitors. ! • Brand differentiation • Brands can stand out from competitors who ofter the same standardized features. ! • Consumer loyalty & engagement: • Consumers are compelled to stick with brands that allow them to purchase exactly what they want, rather than be limited to a fixed style or menu. 4
  • 5.
    Brands That HaveEmbraced Mass Customization 5
  • 6.
    NIKEID ! •NIKEiD is a special platform on the brand’s website where consumers can be the designer of their shoes, bags, and other athletic accessories. • Nike has proven that mass customization can significantly contribute to a brand’s revenue; NIKEiD now provides 20% of the brand’s total revenue. Lara’s Shoe Brit’s Shoe 6
  • 7.
    CHIPOTLE • Chipotleowes much of its success as a leader in the fast-casual restaurant category to its fully customizable menu. • Consumers can choose every ingredient that goes into their meal through a fast and efficient assembly line. • Customizable menus are especially appealing to consumers who are health-conscious, as they are able to forgo unhealthy ingredients that would otherwise prevent them from ordering a specific dish. Brit’s Burrito Lara’s Burrito 7
  • 8.
    REPUBLIC BIKE •Republic Bike gives consumers the opportunity to design every aspect of their bicycle, from the frame to the tire rims. • The company prides itself in embracing mass customization: “The only tools we offer here are those to let your creativity go for a ride.” Lara’s Bike 8 Brit’s Bike
  • 9.
    Where Are ThereOpportunities? 9
  • 10.
    SHAMPOO • Shampoois one product category that could benefit from mass customization. • Brands have varieties for curly, straight, dry, and color-treated hair—but what about hair types that are in-between? • Consider creating customized shampoo that uses special testing to determine the perfect formula for a consumer’s hair type. 10
  • 11.
    MAGAZINES • Anotherproduct category that could benefit from mass customization is magazines. • Consumers currently get the same batch of articles as every other reader. It’s impersonal, and often frustrating. • It may be more appealing to readers if brands offered a “Build-Your-Own- Magazine” option, where readers receive a version of a magazine that consists only of content they are interest in. 11
  • 12.