Outfitters - clothing brand

Outfitters, which started its operation in the year 2003 by Kamran Khurshid has become an important part of Pakistan’s fashion industry especially among the youth who want to wear the latest Western wear. Since Outfitters is a fashion conscious brand, it has grown from its initial stage of operation to meet the ever changing needs and taste of its clients and has set new trends in the fashion industry. Origins and Evolution Outfitters was established in Lahore and it was meant to bridge the gap of fashionable Western wear that was suitable for the Pakistani market. The brand initially centered its products on the fashionable, casual wear for men and women which was new in the local market. This new strategy helped the company to appeal to the young consumers within the first few years of its operation thus growing its customer base. Outfitters Junior: This line was launched in the year 2008 and is aimed at children’s wear, Affordability and comfort are the two most important factors which this line offers to the children and such nice clothing was not easily available in the market. In 2013, this sub-brand was introduced to the store and this line is called Ethnic by Outfitters; this line is a collection of modern fusion clothes with a touch of Pakistani culture. It targets the customers who want their clothes to have cultural value while at the same time meeting the modern day needs. These expansions reflect the adaptability of Outfitters to changes in the market and the ability of the company to meet the market needs and remain relevant in the market. Product Range Outfitters has something for everyone whether you are a man or a woman, young or old, Outfitters has got you covered with casual to formal wear. The low prices yet high quality clothing that the company offers makes it popular among the consumers especially the one with a tight budget. Men's Wear: It consist of casual shirts and jeans, shirts and formal trousers, coats and other accessories that make it suitable for general use. The following are the features of the men’s collection that make the collection suitable for many people; Seasonal collections may include such trends that are evident worldwide, and this makes the customers always up to date with the latest trends.

Women's Wear

The women’s line is composed of casual and formal shirts, blouses, dresses, skirts and accessories. Outfitters also offers its customers products that are seasonal such as winter coats, summer dresses and festive wear among others. Outfitters is therefore the one stop shop for women’s apparel.

Outfitters Junior

The Outfitters Junior section offers a good selection of clothes for children that is both fashionable and comfortable. The line is meant to offer both the artistic appeal that children would love and at the same time, something that is functional and would suit both the parents and the child. Accessories and Footwear: To complement the apparel lines, Outfitters has a collection of handbags, scarves, and jewelry. Sports footwear includes sports shoes, for example, running shoes, basketball shoes; formal shoes include formal shoes, for example, pumps. Retail Presence Outfitters currently has its outlets in over 20 cities of Pakistan including Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad and Peshawar more than 120 outlets. This geographically vast retail network makes it easier for the customers to find the brand across the country and thus makes it one of the most recognizable fashion brands in Pakistan. It has also helped the choice of location that Outfitters has made since the stores are usually located in shopping malls and busy business areas. There is a good store experience of the brand in-store, ranging from the modern interior design of the store and the availability of warm and welcome staff. Outfitters however, has its online store which has been growing steadily, thus allowing customers to shop for the latest fashion items while they are at home. The website design is user friendly and the frequent sales and promotions that the company offers have greatly contributed to the growth of the brand’s sales. The website information on size, use of reviews, and simple ways of making payments has made it popular among the tech-savvy consumers. During the COVID-19 outbreak, the online platform became more and more important, which helped the brand to sustain the sales and reach the customers who prefer to shop without contact. Size charts, reviews and secure checkout are some of the aspects that are found on the website and this makes it popular among the shoppers. Outfitters is a company that designs and sells clothes for men and women, and children as well, and it offers clothe ranges from casual to formal. It is cheap but out-fitters offer quality products and this is something that appeals to many people especially the youth. Outfitters has gained the popularity as one of the best fashion brands in Pakistan due to its flexibility and the capability to change with the fashion trends and the wishes of its customers. Thus, as the brand develop and encounter new possibilities and difficulties in the future, it will be interesting to observe how it will shape the future of the fashion industry. 4.0.2. Marketing and Customer Engagement Outfitters has also got a good marketing strategy which involves the use of both the traditional and the new media. Most of the advertising is very visual and often involves using influencers and celebrities, which does a great job of reaching a large number of people.

Social Media Presence

The company has a good following on social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok through which it shows off new products, how to wear them and the life at Outfitters. Pictures that are interacted with the viewers and posts that are created by the users make the audience feel like they are part of the Outfitters family. Loyalty Programs: Outfitters loyalty program entails that every time a customer makes a purchase in the store they get exclusive discounts and are allowed to make purchases before the new collections are released to the public. This initiative not only increases the customer’s loyalty but also leads to increased customer spending. Sustainability Initiatives However, due to the increasing concerns over the welfare of the environment, consumers are now inclined towards the brands that follow green practices. However, there are no specific details regarding the sustainability practices of Outfitters as most information available online cannot be firmly attributed to the brand. Here are some of the potential areas for sustainability Outfitters could focus on: Eco-Friendly Materials: Adding some lines that would be made of organic or recycled fabrics.

Waste Reduction

Reducing textile waste during the production and encouraging recycling among the consumers. Energy Efficiency: Adopting energy conserving technologies in the manufacturing and distribution of their products and services. Hence, if Outfitters decides to come out with any of these changes in these specific areas, it will be able to enhance its social responsibility profile. Outfitters as a brand faces some challenges that any big brand would in the course of its operation. The local and international fashion retailers have intensified competition as they expand their operations in Pakistan. In addition, the dynamic nature of the economy, increasing costs of production and changes in consumer demand demands the change in strategy. Outfitters remains unchallenged in the market given that it has always been able to adapt to the changing trends that the customers prefer. Outfitters has not deviated from its core values of providing quality apparel at affordable prices and fashionable apparels. Thus, it has managed to sustain its position in the market and remain one of the most popular brands in the industry.

The Future of Outfitters

Outfitters has a great opportunity for development and introducing new branches in the local market and expanding the business on the international level. The online store could also be developed further in order to target the customers from the international markets especially the South Asian community. There is also the possibility of collaborating with other global brands and designers to enhance the brand’s social status and reach a different clientele. It is, therefore, important to make an investment in technology like Augmented Reality (AR) for virtual try-on to set Outfitters apart from its competitors. Also, focusing on the sustainable and ethical practices would bring the brand in conformity with the present trends while appealing to the eco-conscious consumers.

Conclusion

Outfitters has cemented its status as one of the premier fashion houses in Pakistan by being flexible and adaptive of the constantly shifting fashion industry and consumer trends. It offers a wide range of products, has its outlets in strategic locations and offers quality apparels at affordable prices making it a fashion house for the youth and the young at heart. As the brand expands and changes to meet the new challenges of the market, it has a bright future ahead of it. It will be interesting to observe how the brand will respond to new possibilities and challenges in the next several years and whether it will remain an innovative player in the fashion industry.