it\'s the customer, stupid

They had it, and they lost it.
Krispy Kreme, Pier 1, clearer images, hot topics, can you get them back? NEW YORK (CNN/Money)-
Krispy Kreme warm donuts.
Wicker furniture at Pier One
Ion Breeze air purifier for Sharper Image.
Goth of hot topics-
Inspiration utensils.
What are the common clues?
Craig Johnson, a customer growth partner at Retail Consulting, said: \"All four companies have achieved good success over a period of time . \".
\"Their success has even paralyzed Wall Street.
Johnson said: \"This will be the ideal time for each of them to prepare for the next chapter.
\"Instead, they look away from the ball and, worse, from the customer,\" Johnson said . \".
So how do they re-focus on customers? Krispy Kreme-d: It single-
He turned the doughnut into a food phenomenon.
Investors are blowing up their faces like crazy, Winston. Salem, N. C. -
Wall Street-based chain stores in 2000. Krispy Kreme (Research)
Shares jumped 70% in their debut.
Problem: The company is developing too fast;
Profits were hit;
It ousted the CEO and now the government is looking into its accounting.
One more thing. -calorie-
Conscious consumers put the lemon juice low
Carbs fashion \"caught the country last year. Solution?
Expand to other types of breakfast items such as rival Duncan donuts.
Johnson said, \"The company is betting the child\'s loot on greasy snacks and it\'s hard to convince people that sweet donuts are good for you.
But Carl Sibiliski, a Morningstar analyst, disagrees.
\"Krispy Kreme established the entire franchise around the doughnut.
The company should not leave this.
The brand will not disappear.
They only need to run their business more effectively. \"Get\" wick \'-
Ed: a long time ago, the consumer of Pier 1 was unable to get enough from its unique Wicker and bamboo chairs, scented candles, decorative lights and damask pillows.
Problem: almost all large discount and department store chains now offer similar home products, which are cheaper than Pier 1 in some cases (Research).
Although Buffett--
Legendary value investor--
Owns a 9% stake in Fort Worth, Texas
Furniture chain--
Its sales have fallen from the dock, with the stock at 52-week low.
\"The biggest problem is increased competition from retailers such as Target.
\"In my opinion, Target\'s home products are more competitive even if they are no better than Pier 1,\" said Morningstar analyst Anthony Chukumba . \". Solution?
Find the new Wicker.
\"In other words, retailers have to give customers something to be excited about, rather than simply opening more stores and selling the same things that others have now.
\"Terminal 1 needs to solve the problem of goods.
\"There are fewer and fewer people entering their stores because they don\'t sell anything different,\" said Chukumba . \".
He added that once you get the product line, find a marketing message and stick to it ---
No Kirstie Alley and \"weird eyes\" flip.
Clearer Picture: San Francisco a year and a half ago
The company is listed in China with its ion air purifier and has quickly won a leading position in the market with the product.
Air gadget was suddenly responsible for 35% (analysts guess)
Income of the company.
Question: competitors took part in the move, stealing market share of a clearer image with cheaper imitation versions of the purifier.
With sales falling, its share price is also falling, losing more than half its value over the past year.
If you become one
\"Trick pony and investors are in love with you, and there is a tendency to continue riding a pony until it\'s tired,\" said Johnson, a custom growth partner . \".
\"It doesn\'t matter until other people\'s ponies start running faster. \"Solution?
The is product line needs to be rebuilt with more quirky and innovative gadgets.
Richard Winhart, an analyst at Harris Nesbitt, believes that digital music products are a good tool for growth.
\"Clearer images don\'t do enough to take advantage of the digital music boom of the holidays.
They can do a lot with digital music accessories and win back customers. \"Pink . . .
New Black: rebellious teenagers fall in love with hot topics, their costumes beautify Gothic, punk and rock --and-roll.
Wall Street is interested in its booming sales and profits.
Question: Teenagers are well-known fickle, and fashion trends are also full of wisdom.
Sales fell after the children decided to choose \"preppy\" instead of \"punk. \" Hot Topic (Research)
In order to avoid falling into the dilemma of overstocking, price reduction.
This reduces profits. Solution?
Corporate executives are willing to bet that customers on this hot topic will eventually come back as it still dominates the niche market it creates. But the wait-it-
Strategy may not be enough.
You can argue that stores should develop new concepts that attract different types of customers.
Hot topic Brand 2--Torrid --
This is a good example, selling fashion clothing mainly in larger sizes.
\"The hot topic is dealing with customers with flea loyalty.
Catering to teenagers is already a big challenge, \"Johnson said.
\"If you sell to teenagers, you have to be both innovative, flexible and ready to change the status quo.
\"Click here to read more about why you are a target.