Factors Influencing Maintained Markup of National and Private Apparel Brands

Abstract

This exploratory research examines Sheth's (1981) constructs of merchandise requirements and supplier accessibility factors and their effect on the maintained markup percentage earned for national and private apparel brands. The effect of merchandise requirements and supplier accessibility factors on the maintained markup percentage of national and private sportswear apparel brands was examined. A national survey of department store buyers indicated that type of merchandise affected the maintained markup percentage for both brands. Additional variables affected the maintained markup percentage for each brand, indicating that buyers may use different merchandising strategies for private and national brands. Findings from this study may assist retail buyers and suppliers in the development of merchandise strategies for national and private apparel brands.