Harlequin
Strengths
Efficient warehouse management and distribution – Series products had a common format in length and size. Cover designs look and feel the same across product lines and countries. Standard size and format made warehousing more efficient and cost effective. They also allow standing order distribution which enable more accurate monthly print quantity forecast and print cost effectiveness.
Low printing costs – Harlequin subcontracted its printing requirements; thus it was able to lower printing costs by half compared to single-title publisher
Dominant publisher of series romance – Harlequin had 80% market share in the series romance market. As a dominant player, Harlequin had low advertising and promotion costs compared to other players.
Broad variety of products – Harlequin positioned each series distinctively based on genre and level of explicitness. Overall its product portfolio provides a wide variety of stories to satisfy all readers’ tastes.
Consistent quality – Harlequin’s editors located in three different continents worked closely with authors to make sure a consistent finished product.
Strong distribution network – Harlequin had a broad and diversified distribution network across the globe. While owning a distribution system in Canada, Harlequin had independent distributors in other countries. Harlequin retailers ranged from supermarkets, drugstores, mass merchandisers, to specialty big-box bookstores, kiosks, tobacconists, etc. Harlequin also offered direct mail service from which it was able to absorb the full selling prices without having to share with distributors or accept returns.
Loyal readers – Due to consistent quality and variety of products, Harlequin had acquired a strong and loyal customer base. 4/5 of surveyed readers would continue to buy Harlequin books in the next year.
Weaknesses
Current distribution system was tailored to series romance only. Standing order distribution would not work for both single-title and series
Efficient warehouse management and distribution – Series products had a common format in length and size. Cover designs look and feel the same across product lines and countries. Standard size and format made warehousing more efficient and cost effective. They also allow standing order distribution which enable more accurate monthly print quantity forecast and print cost effectiveness.
Low printing costs – Harlequin subcontracted its printing requirements; thus it was able to lower printing costs by half compared to single-title publisher
Dominant publisher of series romance – Harlequin had 80% market share in the series romance market. As a dominant player, Harlequin had low advertising and promotion costs compared to other players.
Broad variety of products – Harlequin positioned each series distinctively based on genre and level of explicitness. Overall its product portfolio provides a wide variety of stories to satisfy all readers’ tastes.
Consistent quality – Harlequin’s editors located in three different continents worked closely with authors to make sure a consistent finished product.
Strong distribution network – Harlequin had a broad and diversified distribution network across the globe. While owning a distribution system in Canada, Harlequin had independent distributors in other countries. Harlequin retailers ranged from supermarkets, drugstores, mass merchandisers, to specialty big-box bookstores, kiosks, tobacconists, etc. Harlequin also offered direct mail service from which it was able to absorb the full selling prices without having to share with distributors or accept returns.
Loyal readers – Due to consistent quality and variety of products, Harlequin had acquired a strong and loyal customer base. 4/5 of surveyed readers would continue to buy Harlequin books in the next year.
Weaknesses
Current distribution system was tailored to series romance only. Standing order distribution would not work for both single-title and series