6 Key Factors to Know About the African Market

In the next 15 years, the number of young consumers in Africa will explode — Africa will gain nearly 100 million in a single decade. Especially in major hubs like Lagos, Kinshasa, and Abidjan, cultural revolution will be swift and disruptive.

Topics: Emerging Markets Demographics Industry Insights

The Future of Billion-Dollar Startup Unicorns

The proliferation of startups that have achieved “unicorn status” — with valuations over $1 billion — raises concerns of a possible tech bubble. In January 2014, 45 private companies were valued at $1 billion or more; by June 2016, 148 companies reached the billion dollar mark, according to the Wall Street Journal.

During the last quarter, many top news organizations predicted “the era of the unicorn” would soon be coming to an end. However, after Twilio’s solid performance during its recent IPO, CNN Money voiced renewed optimism announcing, “Unicorns live!” Opinions about the future of tech startups continue to shift.

Topics: Emerging Markets Industry Insights

Need Reliable Information on the Chinese Market? We Can Help.

Once heralded as an economic miracle, the Chinese economy continues to slow from its torrid growth during the early part of this decade and last decade. Although officially reported economic figures still reflect a growth rate multiples higher than those of western economies, it has become more and more apparent to business managers and leaders that the economic reality on the ground paints a different picture.

Topics: Emerging Markets Market Research Provider Custom Market Research The Freedonia Group

How to Use Market Research: An Entrepreneur's Perspective

Every business needs to evolve. Otherwise, you'll find yourself running the best buggy whip business at the turn of the century. Growing revenue is not the only benchmark of a healthy business. A business can be healthy and heading down the right path until, well, it isn't. Phrases like innovator's dilemma, innovator's solution and accelerated disruption have hit the lexicon.

Borders Books made $101 million less than three years before losing $157 million. Blackberry (enough said), Sears, JC Penney, and even more recent high fliers like Zynga have simply misread the market and found themselves on a downward trajectory after experiencing substantial success previously.

So, how do you grow? What new products will attract the customers I want? What else can I sell to my current customers? Where are my new customers? New markets?  By definition, I don’t know anything about them, how do I learn?

Topics: Market Research Strategy Emerging Markets

5 Things to Consider When Repositioning for Emerging Markets

In business, it’s not about today – it’s about tomorrow. That’s because the most lucrative markets of the future aren’t necessarily the same ones that are presently profitable. Market research plays a key role when companies are repositioning for emerging markets.

China is anticipated to boast more than 30 million households in 2020 with a disposable income of $30,000, while Turkey should have more than 11 million households earning more than $30,000 in the next decade. To put the latter statistic into context, Canada currently boasts the same number of households earning at that level. Further market research indicates strong growth in several Central and South American countries, India, and across Africa.

Topics: Market Research Strategy Emerging Markets

How to Conduct Market Research When There Is No Existing Market

A lot of market research material will jump straight to the usual topics: competitors, customer segments, cost, and so on. However, for many modern entrepreneurs, their exact market simply doesn't exist. Like the DVR, mp3 player, and tablet, some markets are invented to disrupt older, existing ones. It can be tempting to move forward without doing comprehensive market research: after all, what is there to research if the product is entirely new?

Topics: Market Research Strategy Emerging Markets Consumer Electronics How To's

5 Emerging Markets That Are Not On Your Radar

Everyone knows the Big Five emerging markets. Referred to as BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), this quintet represents the largest players. However, they are far from the only ones. The International Monetary Fund estimates that emerging markets will grow two to three times faster than those of developed nations in the coming decade. By examining the latest market research, we’ve identified five more emerging markets around the globe that represent rich opportunities for expanding specialty retail businesses – if they’re targeted correctly. 

Topics: Market Research Strategy Emerging Markets

The 7 Rules for Succeeding in Emerging Markets

There’s no denying the enduring appeal and profit potential of markets in the developed world. However, in order to continue increasing revenues and building consumer bases, companies must look towards emerging markets. To successfully transition from domestic to international success in these markets, companies must take a carefully considered, well-researched approach. Here are seven tactics to help make that transition smoothly. 

Topics: Market Research Strategy Emerging Markets