The FitBit Company’s Marketing Strategy

Paper Info
Page count 11
Word count 2922
Read time 11 min
Topic Business
Type Report
Language 🇺🇸 US

A Definition of a Competitive Advantage

An essential task that has to be completed by any given organization in order to remain successful is to find opportunities to make its operations sustainable and compete aggressively. This shows that competitive advantage is a benefit that makes the company relevant for consumers and allows the organization to outrun rivals by generating products and services that justify higher prices (Conick, 2017). One of the reasons why competitive advantages have to be identified is the need to maintain cost leadership and exploit the economy to enable new ways of minimizing costs while not compromising the quality of products and services. In line with Lewnes and Keller (2019), this approach to competitive advantages is acceptable for plenty of customers because it promotes low-cost products. For the organization, on the other hand, it creates room for higher capacity utilization and improved productivity (Elman, 2018). Today’s businesses tend to look into effective distribution channels and proper use of technology.

Another way to define a competitive advantage would be to link it to the differentiation focus and leadership and see how the company could appeal to various market segments. When approaching a broad group of consumers, an organization should be careful enough to ensure that all the wants and needs are addressed vividly and with peculiar attention to detail (Baalbaki, Hoffman and Gilliard, 2017). The value will be added, and prices are going to go up without the company having to alter its pricing strategy. Overall, expertise in this area could help businesses approach their strategies from a point where competitive advantages are a result of following various criteria that are important for different consumer segments (Muminova, 2019). As noted by Conick (2017), the role of customer recognition and superior product quality cannot be overlooked due to the need to remain consistent with economies of scale and the willingness to achieve clear brand loyalty.

Competitive Advantages of FitBit: Porter’s Five Forces Analysis

New Entrant Threat FitBit operates within an industry that does not allow for the development of an economy of scale. Nevertheless, the cost advantage that the company receives depends on the new entrants that have to follow suit when developing and deploying their products (Pinto and Yagnik, 2017). At the same time, FitBit is rather careful when it comes to differentiated products that are standardized nonetheless. According to Sawyer (2019), a strong focus on advertising is what prevents FitBit from marketing failures and offers the company the possibility to alter capital requirements depending on the available budget. The market does not limit access to distribution networks among new entrants, but the presence of products on the shelves does not guarantee sales and market success (Shankar et al., 2016). The majority of government policies do not make it difficult for FitBit to gain more competitive advantages.
Supplier Bargaining Power An essential idea shared by Elman (2018) is that the number of purchasers is almost equal to that of suppliers in the market where FitBit operates. The problem, in this particular situation, is that the bargaining power of company suppliers is one of the weaker forces because of the lack of control over prices. The existence of standardised production does not protect the company from consumers that switch suppliers, as other companies might offer better costs or a higher level of differentiation (Pinto and Yagnik, 2017). Further integration of FitBit into the industry represents a credible threat for other organizations. As per Muminova (2019), multiple unique approaches to consumers make FitBit tied rather closely to its suppliers, creating room for adequate pricing paired with high-quality products.
Consumer Bargaining Power Since the number of companies producing goods is lower than that of suppliers; it should be noted that consumers have a multitude of organisations to choose from when navigating the market. In the words of Lewnes and Keller (2019), this showcases the degree of control consumers could have over the prices set by FitBit. This is especially important due to the exceptional differentiation that can be achieved by most companies within FitBit’s industry (Sperlich and Holberg, 2017). Not being able to find the exact same product from another provider, consumers have to settle for specific organizations. Regardless of the purchasers’ income being low, the force of consumer bargaining power creates pressure on the individuals responsible for setting product prices. It was also provided by Huang and Rust (2021) that FitBit’s customers are not as price-sensitive as the remaining segments.
Substitution Threat As it was mentioned above, the number of substitutes in the market could be described as critically low due to the lack of standardization. For Yun et al. (2020), this means that the existing substitutes are low in quantity and do not represent a high-earning industry where production thrives at all times. FitBit benefits from this situation by removing the cap on maximum profits and making decisions that multiply the company’s income recurrently (Muminova, 2019). It may be concluded that substitutes are not a threat to FitBit because of their high price and significantly lower build quality. Based on the evidence presented by Elman (2018), it may be safe to conclude that FitBit will be rather unlikely to have its consumers switch to products created by competitors.
Internal Competition There are only a few companies that operate in the same industry as FitBit, which means that internal competition is extremely weak. The majority of these active organizations are also large in terms of their size and cannot come through with unnoticed releases that could provide them with a competitive advantage (Sawyer, 2019). The presence of an increasing market share only affects several organizations since smaller companies do not tend to develop market leader attitudes. According to Lewnes and Keller (2019), competitive actions are rather unlikely to be displayed by FitBit and its rivals due to the need to cooperate and focus on high-quality products and consumer demand. Also, Sperlich and Holberg (2017) state that full capacity has to be attained by companies that expect to set reasonably fixed costs and respond to the demand in a proactive manner.

Objectives

Any given marketing objective should be focused on how the company is going to launch new products and support its existing operations. In accordance with Millington (2016), it is crucial to conduct detailed reviews of available marketing options prior to deploying strategies. It would help the organisation unlock specific promotional tools, extend the distribution network, and create room for novel advertising instruments (Baalbaki, Hoffman and Gilliard, 2017). For FitBit, one of the key areas to pay attention to is brand awareness, as more customers would obtain its products and improve the company’s image.

The following is the list of objectives that the new marketing plan requires the team to complete in an attempt to improve the state of affairs:

  • The local market should be extended with the help of a renewed distribution network so as to give FitBit management an opportunity to upsurge the obtainability of the given products. In line with Pinto and Yagnik’s (2017) ideas, distribution channels and stock maintenance will help FitBit cover consumer wants and needs without putting a strain on the company’s budget.
  • New advertisement tools should be implemented in order to make FitBit’s promotional campaigns stronger and affect the overall brand awareness among consumers.
  • After the release of new products, the team should conduct online surveys to collect all kinds of feedback and see if any improvements could be introduced to follow up on the initial impact.
  • Additional services should come with the product release and sales if FitBit expects to set the focus on customer satisfaction and reinforce the idea that monetary resources do not represent the ultimate objective to be attained by the team.
  • Over the next 12 months after the product release, FitBit would have to achieve higher sales and maintain the same level of market activity to make sure that there is no competition.

A Preliminary SWOT Analysis

S
  • FitBit is serious about training and brand awareness, which helps the organisation maintain a strong workforce and nurture lifelong learning
  • The company’s superb performance places it among the leaders of the market due to extended expertise and effective minimization of risks
  • FitBit highlights the importance of customer relationship management and utilises CRM to build up consumer satisfaction and improve the company-customer communication
W
  • There are several companies in the market that have recently come up with similar products but better technology (FitBit did not invest much resources in research and development activities until now)
  • The organisation’s marketing initiatives are not as successful as expected and do not reflect the true intentions of the company
O
  • Due to lower shipping prices, FitBit could gain larger market shares and conquer the market via affordable pricing
  • Customers will start spending more money after the pandemic slows down, so it is crucial to capture potential customers while other companies struggle as well
T
  • A skilled workforce is hard to find, and FitBit is not an exception to the rule. This is especially true because of the intense competition that has been established by other digital moguls, such as Apple and Xiaomi

Target Market

After the review of the SWOT analysis, it can be suggested that FitBit should target different groups of individuals that require a variety of products. Consumer demands and needs are worth detailed attention because of the existence of picky buyers who would test the products against a series of challenges prior to deciding on whether they are going to purchase them (Elman, 2018). Therefore, the target market for FitBit is going to be individuals who associate themselves with fitness and related activities. From motivation to vital information, FitBit products should be a source of various insights that would leave the majority of the target population impressed with the quality of the company’s products. Nevertheless, further extension of the target population could be possible under the condition that students and people with health issues could be added to the list of potential FitBit consumers. Irrespective of the intended activities, people will get a chance to monitor themselves and make the best use of devices proposed by FitBit and not Apple, Nike, or Xiaomi.

Product Strategy

The product strategy for FitBit’s marketing efforts will depend on the contents of the BCG matrix. A detailed analysis of the existing evidence resulted in the following matrix:

STARS
  • FitBit should capitalize on its financial services and follow vertical integration prospects
  • The company’s strategic business unit follows consumer demand and makes it easier to generate sales
CASH COWS
  • Strong supplier management is the core of FitBit’s long-term success, especially during the times of the pandemic when other companies stagnate
  • The fitness watch marketing mix has to be innovated recurrently in order to create more room for further research and development activities
? MARKS
  • The health sector remains under-researched by the company’s units, making it safe to say that additional action is required to address the potential of local strategic partnerships to turn them into stars
  • Low sales and poor distribution relate to the company’s problem with new technology and the growth rate of reluctance toward innovation among FitBit employees
DOGS
  • Incompatible software and irrelevant devices have to be discontinued on the spot to protect the company’s brand image and focus on consumer concerns.

Pricing Strategy

Nowadays, FitBit is a multi-million-dollar company that has the opportunity to influence the fitness world through the interface of its products. As per Yun et al. (2020), the overall growth over the past ten years is close to $1.9 billion, making it safe to say that FitBit is one of the fastest-growing companies in its sector. In order to capitalize on this progress, the management will be required to revise the pricing strategy and come up with estimates that would leave all consumers contented and create enough rivalry for alternatives from Apple and Xiaomi. Fitness watches are extremely popular nowadays, which means that practically no compromises are to be made when setting the right price for the majority of FitBit’s products. There will be more products released during every other fiscal year that would come with exciting features. The core proposal within the framework of this marketing plan is to focus on low-cost and premium options in order to create two definite market mixes for both target groups of consumers. Such price positioning is going to help the company stay in the market for a much longer period.

Promotion Strategy

For the promotion of the respective products, FitBit should be as active as possible across all the available social media websites and applications. Even though conventional approaches to advertising are still somewhat relevant, the key focus is on the populations that spend most of their free time navigating smartphones and tablets (Huang and Rust, 2021). This particular factor shows how the company could benefit from promoting the brand online and connecting with existing and potential consumers online. Using both direct and indirect communication, FitBit will share all the relevant product information with the most active users. Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram should be considered the foundation of the company’s promotion strategy since most of the messages would be sent via these social media networks. There are numerous examples from other famous sports and fitness companies where those uploaded pictures and short clips that pitched the products to the target audience (Millington, 2016). It would be reasonable to purchase several billboards within the most crowded areas in order to create a visually appealing message in real life and pair it with a strong slogan.

Target Location

Over the course of the next 12 months, the team will have to focus its efforts on the creation of a customized online marketplace where all kinds of consumers would have a chance to find a FitBit product that appeals to them. In addition to being a much easier way of shopping, this would also limit consumers’ exposure to the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic. From the comfort of their homes, customers will gain insight into available products and their detailed specifications, with an opportunity to order products they wish directly to their door. Nevertheless, the classical shopping method will not be ditched, as retail outlet distribution will become the key to popularising major FitBit shops among existing and potential customers. Therefore, there is no difference between online and offline stores in the case where FitBit’s distribution network is strong enough to cover all the expenses and challenges.

Monitoring the Outcomes

Proper monitoring efforts will have to be implemented in order to direct the launch of new products and help FitBit management maintain the new marketing strategy and all promotional campaigns included in it. Throughout the first six months after the launch of new products, the team will have to make sure that brand awareness remains one of the key priorities for the organization. Product sales will be tracked as well, creating room for reasonable innovation in the area of free services, unique discounts, and other ways of appealing to different target consumer groups. Estimated sales will then be checked against the actual numbers to help the management reach a decent conclusion regarding the effectiveness of the new marketing strategy. The team will be responsible for generating graphs that show the company’s position in the market and its projected growth. The pricing strategies will be monitored to provide the management with an idea of how the marketing strategy could be revised to attract more consumers. As a result, the key weaknesses of the existing approach are going to be delineated, causing the team to regroup and adjust to customer demand.

Key Takeaways

Based on the information that was obtained within the course of this case study, it can be concluded that the efficiency of FitBit’s operation will depend on how the company will position its new products. Even though a similar conclusion could be associated with the majority of businesses similar to FitBit, the existing marketing plan is going to benefit the organization because of being well-planned and detailed enough. Specific points were covered in rich detail in order to validate the need to monitor the outcomes of implementing a new marketing plan. The existence of competitors (e.g., Xiaomi, Apple) makes it easier for FitBit to come up with the most reasonable solutions and ensure that its activities are feasible enough to be considered effective. The potential marketing mix will be revised on the fly to create enough space for the company in terms of how it appeals to consumers and draws their attention to FitBit products. It was the SWOT analysis that helped the author define the best options for the new product launch operations and forecasting.

In the future, the management of FitBit will have to review the life cycle of its products to ensure that each of the items appeals to at least one category of buyers. This is why the monitoring process is so crucial, especially with marketing initiatives requiring the team to introduce changes constantly. The dynamics of the market will serve as both an opportunity and an advantage for FitBit since the company recognises its market power. With every new product, FitBit will have to go through similar operations and carry the same messages, paving the way for much more detailed strategies and an increased capability of adhering to consumer preferences. Market demand alterations could affect the company’s strategy but only to an extent where the management of FitBit would have to develop and launch new products. Overall, a lower pricing strategy and a variety of means of communication will take FitBit closer to becoming a monopoly and outrunning serious competitors.

Reference List

Baalbaki, S., Hoffman, D. L. and Gilliard, D. J. (2017) ‘The FitBit addiction: will this disruption last?’, Journal of Marketing Development and Competitiveness, 11(4), pp. 86-103.

Conick, H. (2017) ‘The past, present and future of AI in marketing’, Marketing News, 51(1), pp. 26-35.

Elman, J. P. (2018) ‘“Find Your Fit”: wearable technology and the cultural politics of disability’, New Media & Society, 20(10), pp. 3760-3777.

Huang, M. H. and Rust, R. T. (2021) ‘A strategic framework for artificial intelligence in marketing’, Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 49(1), pp. 30-50.

Lewnes, A. and Keller, K. L. (2019) ‘10 principles of modern marketing’, MIT Sloan Management Review, 60(3), pp. 1-10.

Millington, B. (2016) ‘Fit for presumption: interactivity and the second fitness boom’, Media, Culture & Society, 38(8), pp. 1184-1200.

Muminova, G. B. (2019) ‘The innovative marketing applications and online consumer behavior’, Amazonia Investiga, 8(20), pp. 388-394.

Pinto, M. B. and Yagnik, A. (2017) ‘Fit for life: a content analysis of fitness tracker brands use of Facebook in social media marketing’, Journal of Brand Management, 24(1), pp. 49-67.

Sawyer, T. L. (2019) ‘Fitbit: was it deady for the marketplace?’, Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 90(8), pp. 57-59.

Shankar, V. et al. (2016) ‘Mobile shopper marketing: key issues, current insights, and future research avenues’, Journal of Interactive Marketing, 34, pp. 37-48.

Sperlich, B. and Holmberg, H. C. (2017) ‘Wearable, yes, but able…: it is time for evidence-based marketing claims!’, British Journal of Sports Medicine, 51(16), pp. 1240-1240.

Yun, J. T. et al. (2020) ‘Computationally analyzing social media text for topics: a primer for advertising researchers’, Journal of Interactive Advertising, 20(1), pp. 47-59.

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EssaysInCollege. (2023, February 24). The FitBit Company's Marketing Strategy. Retrieved from https://essaysincollege.com/the-fitbit-companys-marketing-strategy/

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EssaysInCollege. (2023) 'The FitBit Company's Marketing Strategy'. 24 February.

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EssaysInCollege. 2023. "The FitBit Company's Marketing Strategy." February 24, 2023. https://essaysincollege.com/the-fitbit-companys-marketing-strategy/.

1. EssaysInCollege. "The FitBit Company's Marketing Strategy." February 24, 2023. https://essaysincollege.com/the-fitbit-companys-marketing-strategy/.


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EssaysInCollege. "The FitBit Company's Marketing Strategy." February 24, 2023. https://essaysincollege.com/the-fitbit-companys-marketing-strategy/.

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EssaysInCollege. 2023. "The FitBit Company's Marketing Strategy." February 24, 2023. https://essaysincollege.com/the-fitbit-companys-marketing-strategy/.

1. EssaysInCollege. "The FitBit Company's Marketing Strategy." February 24, 2023. https://essaysincollege.com/the-fitbit-companys-marketing-strategy/.


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EssaysInCollege. "The FitBit Company's Marketing Strategy." February 24, 2023. https://essaysincollege.com/the-fitbit-companys-marketing-strategy/.