STORE WARS: Banana Republic vs. Zappos
Starting March 15th and running through April 4th, Dappered.com is hosting a bracket based tournament with the purpose of eventually crowning the all around Affordable Men’s Style Retail Champ for 2011. For a full introduction see this post. To see the updated bracket, click on the image to the right. Make a case for your preferred competitor in the comments section, but don’t forget to vote at the bottom of each match up. On with today’s showdown:
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Strengths: Self described as “accessible luxury” which is about right. The top of the GAP inc food chain, so they’re everywhere. They’re using better and better fabrics in their blazers and suiting. Design of many pieces can look incredible. Their silk/cotton/cashmere v-neck is the best on the market. They stumbled a few months back, but their suit fit has come roaring back with their tailored fit leading the way. Free shipping from their website with a $50 purchase, free returns to their brick and mortar stores if you don’t like it. And their sales associates, who can sometimes be a little too attentive… well… two words: pencil skirts.
Weaknesses: You really have to play the retail waiting game with BR. One day it’s full price, the next day it’s 40% off with a coupon or online code. But by then your size could be gone. Much of their stuff is made in China. Jeans are expensive. The colors of clothing on their website won’t always match up with reality.
Strengths: Legendary customer service. One of if not the first online shoe stores to offer free shipping both ways, acknowledging that people don’t like to buy shoes they can’t try on if they’re going to get dinged for shipping charges. Terrific website experience, complete with videos of employees describing and holding the shoe so you can get a different & less sterile perspective. Currently branching out into clothing. Purchased by Amazon in 2009, but hasn’t changed their philosophy. Ridiculously large inventory.
Weaknesses: Not many because they’ve stuck with what they do well and continue to excel at it. They’re certainly one of the top online destinations for shoes, but their clothing selection is pretty minimal.
Your votes determine who goes on to the next round. Cast your ballot below.
UPDATE: Banana Republic keeps the bracket all chalk and moves on with the win.
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Store Wars: Banana Republic vs. Zappos
- Banana Republic (55%, 252 Votes)
- Zappos (45%, 206 Votes)
Total Voters: 457
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Incredibly difficult choice because of Zappos’s large selection, but I usually go to the Rack for shoes first. Also, there aren’t many items in BR that I wouldn’t wear
BR should win this easily. Zappos is merely cannon fodder in the tournament.
I like both…so I will have to support the local Las Vegas business. Zappos
I have got to go with Banana Republic, particularly after hitting a sale about a month ago where I was able to pick up a whole bunch of those silk/cashmere v-necks for about $10 apiece.
That said, I don’t think Banana is any better crafted or designed than Gap and I refuse to buy anything that isn’t on sale. Also, I have tried their chinos a couple of times (the five-pocked and the dawson) and wasn’t impressed with either the cut or the quality.
At the end of the day, it comes down to the fact that I’ve never tried Zappos (too pricey) and $10 v-necks.
i would shop at these stores for entirely different purposes, kind of difficult to compare them
Zappos is infinitely better at what it does than Banana Republic is at what it does.
Simply put Zappos doesnt run the same kind of sales that Banana does. Zappos has a fantastic collection of shoes but you can almost always find them cheaper at other sellers.
Extremely well put!
Zappos. Better selection. Multiple brand advantage. I bought 2 pairs of Dockers SF Chinos and 2 pairs of Levi’s STF from them recently. My wife and I order from them all the time. Customer service is killer!
My wife works for gap Inc, got to toe the company line and vote br. Not that I have any experience with Zappos.
With Zappos I can find shoes in wide widths. When will shoe makers realize that different widths is not a luxury but a necessity? One shouldn’t have to pay more or up size just to accommodate wider feet.
I voted BR because I don’t know what Zappos is.
They are both great, but completely different. Zappos customer service cannot be beat. However, for as amazing as they are, and for as great of a selection that they have, they NEVER have my size in stock… of ANY shoe! That’s maddening.