Question

A wide range of products are available for cutting lawns; they vary in terms of power source (manual, electric, gas), operator mode (walking, riding, or automatic/robotic), and additional accessories and features, ranging from baggers for grass clippings, cup holders, and power steering to a cooking grill.

An estimated 6 million gas-powered, walking lawn mowers are sold annually, the vast majority of all mowers sold in the United States. More Craftsman (Sears) gas-powered walking mowers were sold than any other brand. Prices for gas-powered walking lawn mowers range from $200 to $700 depending on horsepower, brand, and features.

Reel mowers, the manual push mowers of old, have been making a comeback. American Lawn Mower Co. of Shelbyville, Indiana, claims to be the only U.S. manufac­turer of reel mowers. Estimates indicate that annual sales are approximately 350,000 manual mowers. Reel mowers are priced from $100 to $400 and eliminate concerns about gas, repairs, and getting it started. However, Con­sumer Reports cautions that most reel mowers can’t cut grass higher than 1½ inches or trim closer than 3 inches around obstacles.

Electric lawn mowers—major brands include Black & Decker and Craftsman—are available in both corded and cordless models. Electric mowers produce no exhaust emis­sions and require little maintenance besides sharpening. Less adept at tackling tall or thick grass, most electric mow­ers cut 18- to 19-inch swaths versus 21 inches for most gas mowers. Prices range from $125 to $250 for corded and $400 or more for cordless. Corded versions tether you to within about 100 feet of a power outlet.

Riding lawn mowers share many of the same draw­backs as gas-powered walk-behind mowers. Riding mow­ers can be less maneuverable and fail to cut close to obstacles. Prices range from $1,600 to $7,200. While the big advantage of riding lawn mowers is the amount of ter­ritory that can be covered, they also have a following in the little-known sport of lawn mower racing. The U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association, based in Illinois, claims more than 20 chapters in various states and a slate of regional and national races culminating in a national championship.

Based on this information and the readings in the text and course answer the following questions in your initial discussion posting:

• What are people looking for in a lawn mower? Is it about speed in mowing the lawn, safety, control, noise reduc­tion, and/or reducing their carbon foot print? Explain your answer.
• Identify at least three bases for segmenting the lawn mower market.
• How can the reel lawn mower companies grow their business?

Answer 1

Ans: 1) Most of the people choose gas-powered walking mowers as they were sold more than any other brand and Prices for gas-powered walking lawn mowers range from $200 to $700 depending on horsepower, brand, and features. However there are people also like Reel movers, as it cost less than then gas-powered movers and eliminate concerns about gas, repairs, and getting it started. Electric lawn mowers available in both corded and cordless models produce no exhaust emis­sions and require little maintenance besides sharpening Prices range from $125 to $250 for corded and $400 or more for cordless. Riding lawn mowers prices range from $1,600 to $7,200 and the main advantage of riding lawn mowers is the amount of ter­ritory that can be covered, they also have a following in the little-known sport of lawn mower racing. So People are looking for Lawn Mover which is of least cost, low maintenance, more coverage and cutting every size of grass.

2) lawn mower market can be categorized as Manual, Electricity and Gas Powered Lawn mover.

3) Reel lawn mower can companies grow their business by increasing size of the grass they can cut and increasing the trim capability near obstacles.