Executive summary The report seeks to analyse The North Face Company to determine its marketing strategies. The company manufactures and sells clothing, tents, backpacks, and sleeping bags. It also specializes in skiwear. The aim of the report is to apply different marketing concepts with the aim of formulating a recommendation that would be applicable in future decision making and marketing strategic direction of the company. It evaluates the different competitive advantages, competences, and capabilities that have made the company successful. It also accesses whether these are transferable and operable in the ski clothing market. The findings indicate that while some could be applicable, others are hard to determine. Based on the report the move by TNF to have skiwear was appropriate given that it had a market share of 1.9%. Several growth alternatives applicable to TNF as well as recommendations have been provided. Background information North Face is a manufacturing company that specializes in clothing outdoor equipment of high quality. Some of the products that have been part of its success are clothing, sleeping bags, tents, and backpacks (Mezzatesta & Cook 1983, p. 743). These products are based on high quality and state- of- the art design, and this has ensured its competence and a high market share over the years. Its major market is in the U.S although the company also has operations in more than twenty oversees countries. The company also co-owns Ski wear cloth line that makes quality and affordable products. As part of its marketing strategy, the company has always believed in high quality products which are affordable to its customers with a lifetime warranty. The success of the company has been attributed to its good reputation in supplying quality products, good management team, and closer relationship with the established distribution network. However, its skiwear line was not a success as the other products it sold, owing to the presence of stronger competitors who had specialty skiwear stores. Because of the low level of market penetration, The North Face skiwear products were ranked as having the lowest market share. The report analyses The North Face (TNF) case based on marketing knowledge so as to formulate recommendations that would be viable for future application in TNF future strategic marketing directions. Analysis Evaluation of existing competences for competitive advantage Competitive advantage is that particular unique aspect used by a company to gain a competitive edge in the market over the rest of its competitors by either offering quality products and services or through pricing (Botten 2007, p. 264). A company can also offer high prices compared with its competitors based on the quality of the products. There are different distinctive aspects that have placed the TNF Company at par with other companies in the market. The company has applied marketing mix as part of its marketing strategy thus gaining a competitive advantage in the market. A marketing mix is comprised of the 4ps applicable in marketing and they are price, product, distribution/place, and promotion. The company specializes in the manufacture of a variety of quality products which are durable and have a lifetime warranty (Mezzatesta & Cook 1983, p.743). For example, t