Professional Documents
Culture Documents
MARKETING ENVIRONMENT
ON THE TOY MARKET
Keywords
Marketing
Marketing environment
Toy market
Influence factors
Analysis
JEL Classification
M 31
Abstract
Along with the passage of time, parents have manifested a different attitude towards their children,
trying to offer them everything they wanted in what concerns the toys. Therefore, the toy market is
constantly expending, and the tough competition leads to the quality improvement of the toys and
enforces certain standards on the market.
The originality and topicality of the theme consist in the change in the toy consumers’ and users’
preferences which required greater attention to be paid to the influence manifested by the
marketing environment on this market. The case study identifies the occurred problems and the toy
influence factors by an analysis over the marketing environment components, i.e.: marketing
internal environment, micro-environment and macro-environment. The study ends with the
recommendation of several solutions for the improvement of the current situation.
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the new machines for the The education level influences the
manufacturing of toys reduce personnel purchase of toys, i.e.: the parents with a
expenses and increase labour productivity. higher education level purchase toys with a
- the economic environment includes greater educational level, to develop
the population’s incomes, expenses and thinking and creativity;
resources, that affect the development of the Religion may negatively influence
business and the welfare of the individuals the purchase of toys as certain cults forbid
(Ristea, Ioan-Franc, Tanasescu and Topita, the possession of a TV or PC by a family.
2010). The economic environment - the politico-legal environment
influences the toy market by the evolution of includes the governmental system and the
the economic indexes of Romania, as legal system where the company operates
follows: under the promoted legislation, mainly
the increment of the unemployment envisaging the protection of the consumers,
rate at national level led to the decrease of of the society and of the competition (Ristea,
the population’s incomes and to the placing Ioan-Franc, Tanasescu and Topita, 2010).
the toy purchasing on a secondary plane, From the political point of view, the activity
especially since these do not stand as a of the toy companies is not restricted;
physiological need satisfaction activity however the administrative and legal
(according to Maslow pyramid); frameworks are undergoing reformation and
the instability and increment of the improvement processes for the purpose of
inflation rate entailed the diminishing of the protecting the rights and interests of the
population’s budget; institution and of the consumer.
the high values of the electrical The companies’ activity is restricted by the
power, natural gas invoices, and the legislation which forbids the use of certain
increment of the incoming price of the toys toys by young children, for example:
resulted in higher final prices; children younger than three years are
the negative effects of the economic forbidden to play with plush toys. Another
and financial recession considerably reduced act provides the supervision of the children
the number of clients; while playing with certain toys, thus parents
the instability of the rate of exchange can avoid buying toys that are hazardous for
leads to uncertainty and risk for the their children. The companies must act
managers, as well as the increment of the according to the law in force, i.e. to provide
rent, bank instalments and procurement fiscal receipts for each product leaving the
costs. store, to comply with the operation manual
- the socio-cultural environment of the toys and to instruct the buyers on the
includes the attitudes, values, norms, beliefs, use of such toys.
behaviour and demographic tendencies - the international environment
related to a specific geographical area includes the evolution on the international
(Ionescu, 1996). The toy market addresses to markets, which are capable of influencing
all the clients’ categories, irrespective of the company in the management of its
religion, customs and culture, however the business (Ristea, Ioan-Franc, Tanasescu and
transformations of the society (e.g.: the Topita, 2010). Further to Romania’s
change of the woman’s role in the society) accession to the European Union (1th
significantly contribute to the economic January 2007), any company must be
evolution of this market. capable of organising itself to face the sole
market considering the enforced
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crisis and for the maintenance of an trader. Thus, if the lease period ends, the
advantageous relation with the banks and owner may refuse to extend the terms unless
with the investment companies; certain new conditions are complied with,
The advertising media (press, radio. and the company risks losing its clients
TV, internet) have a great impact on the when relocating. In certain situations, the
clients’ opinion influencing their decisions; rental of a space in a intensely visited
The interest groups (non- shopping centre may stand as the best
governmental organisations) pursue certain solution for the traders;
targets, that might negatively influence the The store must be provided with
development of the toy businesses; power supply, its own thermal plant, running
The administration and public power water supply and must comply with all the
bodies survey the compliance with the law operation requirements;
and apply fines in case of any identified - the material facilities have a
offences, of failing to comply with the positive influence on the toy purchase. The
clients’ rights, of unfair competition, of more facilities a company holds, the better
trading some forbidden articles such as: the profits, i.e.:
fireworks; The companies must provide
The great public is represented by transportation for certain products, e.g.:
certain interest groups, that may have upon the purchase of mini playgrounds for
pro/contra opinions on the products/services children or of big-sized cars;
offered by the company, influencing the The presence and best use of some
decision to buy/not to buy of their shelves to ensure the visibility of the
family/friends; products entail the increment of toy sales;
The internal public is the company’s An area available for the storage of
personnel, who must prove to be affable, the toys in order to avoid stock shortage,
professional, just, prompt etc. in order to e.g.: the administrator of an orphanage
develop client’s loyalty. purchases a large number of a certain type of
4. The influence of the internal marketing toys, buying all the identical toys in the
environment on the toy market store, then, the next potential client can no
The internal environment of the company longer buy the relevant product if there are
includes: elements belonging to the natural stock shortages.
environment, human resources, cash - human resources. The personnel’s
availabilities and facilities. The skills and accrued experience have a positive
organisational culture (beliefs, norms, value influence on toy purchases. Thus, the
systems) may have a positive impact on the affability, the professionalism, the
efficiency of the internal environment promptness of the personnel, the fact that
(Ristea, Ioan-Franc, Stegaroiu and they are aware of the operation instructions
Tanasescu, 2004) . of the toys are key factors in the success of
- elements belonging to the natural the business. Besides the performance test,
environment the candidates must also comply with
The land on which the store is behavioural, tact, line and physical aspect
placed. It is preferable that is under the conditions. Candidates will undergo detailed
company’s property, if possible. If the space medical examinations to verify whether they
is rented, special attention shall be paid to are capable to perform the required work
the terms of the lease contract as certain and to ensure the protection of the other
conditions may negatively influence the toy employees, of the clients and products;
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the consumers’ preference and evolution of 20% [The Toy market in Romania will
sales] available on increase in 2014 with approx. 20%]
www.mediafax.ro/economic available on www.capital.ro
[8] Biszok B. (2014) Toy market din
Romyearsa va creste in 2014 cu aproximativ
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