North Face 2007 Annual Report Download - page 30

With more than 630 retail stores,
we understand the importance
of creating a unique environment
that allows us to directly
communicate the excitement
of our brands to consumers.
In the coming years, we will
accelerate the opening of new
retail stores—and expand the
e-commerce capabilities of our
brands—to provide consumers
with even greater access to our
products. We are investing in both
the infrastructure and people to
manage our direct-to-consumer
business, strengthening this
important platform for growth.
Making the most of every dollar
ensures that we have the capital we
need to fuel our growth strategies.
Our flexible, global sourcing
operation is designed to procure
the highest quality products
at the most competitive prices
from around the world. We are
experts at managing complexity,
and we continue to expand our
supply chain capabilities and
internal management systems
to execute our five-year plan and
meet the changing needs of our
businesses. At the same time,
we maintain a relentless focus
on cost reduction to fuel the
continued growth of our brands.
Taking our company to new
heights requires new capabilities
and skills in areas as diverse
as strategy, consumer insight,
technology, retail expertise,
human resources and mergers
and acquisitions. Throughout VF,
we are making these investments,
giving our employees the tools
they need to succeed, while
developing a new generation of
leaders to guide our future.
EXPAND OUR DIRECT-
TO-CONSUMER
BUSINESS
4FUEL THE GROWTH 5BUILD NEW GROWTH
ENABLERS
6
A PROVEN SET OF
GROWTH DRIVERS
VF has a proven track record for
building powerful global lifestyle
brands that resonate with
consumers and deliver healthy,
long-term growth. We will
continue to strengthen that
portfolio—both by investing in
our existing lifestyle and heritage
businesses and by acquiring
complementary brands with
unique products, passionate
consumers and the potential
for solid growth.
BUILD MORE
GLOBAL, GROWING
LIFESTYLE BRANDS
We’ve built our business by
creating truly successful
partnerships. Our customers
know that our global scale,
unparalleled consumer
knowledge and extensive brand
expertise make us a tremendous
resource to support their vision
with cross-coalition planning,
coordination and execution.
By building on these strengths—
and aligning ourselves closely to
the goals and strategies of our
customers—we aim to increase
our share of business with the
strongest leaders in the industry.
VF’s global infrastructure is a
significant competitive advantage,
enabling us to efficiently expand
the distribution of newly
acquired brands into Europe,
Mexico, Canada and South
America. We are also focusing
resources to support our rapid
growth in such dynamic
markets as China, India and
Russia. By continuing the global
expansion of key brands—
including The North Face®, Vans®,
Kipling®, Wrangler® and 7 For All
Mankind®—we intend to generate
one-third of our revenues from
international markets by 2012.
1EXPAND OUR SHARE
WITH WINNING
CUSTOMERS
2STRETCH OUR
BRANDS TO NEW
GEOGRAPHIES
3
Our five-year plan is supported by a
consistent set of six growth drivers
that have been the foundation for
VF’s growth and success since 2004.
VF CORPORATION | 46
VF CORPORATION | 47