LaCoste: A Brand on the Rebound
Moms are special. I truly believe that the job of ‘Mom’ is the toughest in the world. To celebrate the ‘Mom’ in our household, I bought my wife a nice shirt from the Lacoste store in the Domain shopping complex in Austin, Texas.
This wasn’t such a remarkable event (except for the smile on my wife’s face), yet my interaction with the friendly manager on duty, Mario, was extraordinary.
Mario and I started conversing about the Lacoste brand. I remember the Izod-Lacoste brand being ‘front and center’ in the mid-80s. Mario had me captivated as he told about his meetings with the Lacoste CEO in France, the rise and fall of the Lacoste brand, and their current path back to prominence. It appears that Lacoste is taking a very measured, cautious approach to growth — something Starbucks should have embodied years ago. Lacoste won’t fail because its supply outstrips its demand.
Lessons: Be interested in the passions of others – you never know what interesting stories and experience you’ll hear. And don’t forget about the greatness of Moms everywhere.
Good luck to Lacoste!
Happy Mother’s Day
Dan Naden
Until next time,
Naden’s Corner
