CASE: III   Rollerblade Inc.

IIBMS – Rollerblade Inc. 

In 2002, in-line skating ranked among the most popular sports for children ages 6 to 17, behind basketball and soccer, according to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association. About 7.5 million youths skate an average of over 25 times per year. This is quite a change from 1980, when Minneapolis-based Rollerblade Inc. introduced its first in-line roller skate.

            Rollerblade’s founder, Scott Olson, was a hockey player with the Winnipeg Jets’ farm teams who envisioned a roller skate with the action of an ice skate that hockey players and skiers could use to train during the off-season. At first, the plan was to use modern materials to construct a model based on an 18-century design. However, Olson discovered a similar in-line skate already on the market and purchased the patent from Chicago Roller Skate Company. Olson and his brother, Brennan, perfected the design using a plastic molded ski-type boot atop a blade of polyurethane wheels. Their first sales were to Olson’s teammates as well as a few to sporting goods stores. Thus began the sport of blading

            Although they generally cost twice as much as conventional roller skates, in-line skates are purchased for two reasons. First, they are faster and therefore more exciting to use than conventional skates. Second, they provide skaters with a better aerobic workout, requiring the use of more muscles. However, it is more difficult to learn how to use in-line skates because they require greater balance and their speeds may cause more severe injuries if a skater falls.

            By 1986, wholesale sales of in-line skates had risen to $3.5 million. Recognizing an opportunity to get in on a growing market, a number of companies began producing competitive products. First Team Sports, Inc., also based in Minneapolis, started manufacturing its Ultra-Wheels brand skates, which included the first in-line skates for children. Roller Derby Skate Corporation in Litchfield, Illinois, a manufacturer of standard roller skates since 1936, produced an in-line skate with a toe-stopper for those accustomed to conventional skates (Rollerblades had a rubber stopper located on the heel). The ice skate manufacturer Bauer entered the market with a skate that had a leather rather than plastic boot.

            Rollerblade Inc.’s sales increased when it expanded its target market. At first, the product was targeted to hockey players, who were 95 percent male and 18 to 25 years old. However, by broadening the target to include 18-to-35-year-old males and females, the company increased sales considerably.

            By 1990, industry wholesale sales of in-line roller skates topped $50 million, which almost equaled sales in the conventional roller skate business.

Rollerblade Inc. maintained a 66 percent market share, First Team Sports had 22 percent, Bauer had 5 percent, Roller Derby had 3 percent, and other competitors combined had the remaining 4 percent. Rollerblade could have done better, but it could not fill store orders for several months because it ran out of inventory early in the year. By 1998 there were 30 million in-line skaters, although growth in the number of skaters was slowing down; skate boarding was taking off as a cool alternative.

            The fierce competition in the industry involved not only product features but also marketing elements. Companies rushed to sign celebrities to promote their products. Competitors also moved into new retail markets, including discount and departmental stores. Rollerblade expanded its market by selling to Macy’s and Nordstrom.

          Although the name of Rollerblades may become generic term for this type of skate, the company’s management will have to work hard to maintain its market lead.   “We have been pioneers and continue to maintain an edge,” a company spokesperson said. “You only get one shot at pioneering a new sport, and that’s exciting.”

          

Question:

 

1. What role do you think modeling could have played in the diffusion of this innovation?
2. How could you use modeling to teach a friend how to use Rollerblades?
3. If you were designing a commercial for Rollerblades to be used for an in-store videotape demonstration, how would you design the commercial to take advantage of your knowledge of modeling?

IIBMS – Rollerblade Inc.

At Global Study Solutions, we take immense pride in our ability to offer specialized support to students pursuing various programs at IIBMS (Institute Indian Institute of Business Management & Studies). Our dedicated team comprises experienced professionals who excel in crafting precise and well-researched solutions for assignments and case studies across different disciplines and courses.

Our commitment to aiding students in achieving academic success aligns perfectly with the educational standards upheld by IIBMS Institute (Institute Indian Institute of Business Management & Studies). We understand the importance of delivering high-quality, customized solutions that meet the unique requirements of assignments and case studies within the institute\’s curriculum.

Whether in MBA, EMBA, GMS, DMS, or any other programs offered at IIBMS Institute (Institute Indian Institute of Business Management & Studies), our team is equipped to provide expert guidance and meticulously crafted solutions. We prioritize accuracy, originality, and timely delivery; ensuring students receive the necessary assistance to excel academically.

We are dedicated to fostering an environment of academic excellence and providing dependable support to the esteemed students of IIBMS Institute (Institute Indian Institute of Business Management & Studies).

IIBMS Answer Sheets

IIBMS Mumbai

IIBMS Bangalore

Customized Answer Solutions

MBA Assignment Solutions

EMBA Case Study Solutions

GMS Answer Sheets

DMS Assignment Help

Professional Writing Assistance

Tailored Academic Solutions

Comprehensive Answer Sheets

Specialized IIBMS Support

Academic Writing Services

Timely Submission Support

Expertly Crafted Answers

Personalized Guidance

Reliable IIBMS Assistance

Get expert assistance with your IIBMS Institute (Institute Indian Institute of Business Management & Studies) assignments and answer sheets from our professional academic writing services.

Our team specializes in supporting students with IIBMS Institute (Institute Indian Institute of Business Management & Studies) coursework, ensuring top-notch answer sheets and comprehensive solutions.

Ace, with our tailored assistance, your IIBMS Institute exams, offering precise guidance and accurate answer sheet preparation.

Seeking reliable help for your IIBMS Institute studies? Trust our academic writing services for meticulously crafted answer sheets and exceptional support.

Score high in your IIBMS Institute assessments by availing our expert aid in preparing comprehensive and well-structured answer sheets.

 

IIBMS Institute Project Report Writing Services

IIBMS Institute Customized Project Reports

IIBMS Institute Project Support

IIBMS Institute Professional Project Report Assistance

Tailored Solutions for Project Reports

IIBMS Institute Quality Project Documentation

IIBMS Institute Expert Project Report Writers

IIBMS Institute Comprehensive Project Analysis

IIBMS Institute Structured Project Report Services

IIBMS Institute Detailed Project Documentation

IIBMS Project Evaluation Support

IIBMS Institute Custom Project Report Formats

IIBMS Institute Project Research and Analysis

MBA/EMBA/GMS/DMS Project Reports

 

IIBMS Institute (Institute Indian Institute of Business Management & Studies) assignments, solved papers, and study materials are available through our academic writing services.

Seeking assistance with IIBMS Institute coursework? Our professional team delivers accurate and timely solutions for all your academic needs.

Our specialized academic writing support simplifies access to IIBMS Institute (Institute Indian Institute of Business Management & Studies) question papers and model answers.

Need expert guidance for your IIBMS Institute assessments? Our service offers comprehensive solutions for students seeking assistance.

Our academic writing services ensure precise and high-quality answers for IIBMS Institute assignments, aiding students in their educational journey.

 

Academic writing professionals play a crucial role in assisting students with their university assignments, striving to achieve several key goals:

Quality Assurance: Their primary aim is to deliver high-quality content that meets academic standards and fulfills the requirements of the university assignments. This involves thorough research, proper structuring, and adherence to guidelines provided by the educational institution.

Originality and Plagiarism-Free Content: Professionals in this field emphasize originality by creating authentic content free from plagiarism. To maintain academic integrity, they ensure that all information is appropriately cited and referenced.

Meeting Deadlines: Timely submission is a significant goal for academic writing professionals. They work within specified deadlines to provide students with completed assignments, enabling them to submit their work punctually.

Clear and Coherent Communication: Professionals strive to convey complex ideas in a clear, coherent, and academically appropriate manner. They focus on effective communication to ensure the content is easily understandable to the target audience.

Supporting Learning and Comprehension: Beyond completing assignments, academic writing professionals aim to support students\’ learning by providing explanations, analysis, and additional resources that help students grasp the subject matter more comprehensively.

Customization and Client Satisfaction: They tailor their services to individual student needs, providing personalized assistance and ensuring client satisfaction by addressing specific requirements and preferences.

Continuous Improvement: Academic writing professionals continuously update their knowledge base, research techniques, and writing skills to adapt to evolving academic standards and deliver the best possible support to students.