Winning in the Subscription Economy

The subscription economy is one of several alternative business models gaining traction across sectors and is explored in a recent report, Engage, Return, and Repeat: The Subscription Economy, by Euromonitor International.

The subscription model has wrought major changes across many industries — from Dollar Shave Club’s disruption of the razor market, to Birchbox’s explosion into cosmetics, and the impact of companies like Zipcar selling mobility rather than the car itself. Many businesses are asking themselves how they can tap into the subscription model, but should they is another important question.

Topics: Retail E-commerce & IT Outsourcing Industry Insights

Quick Facts & Expert Industry Analysis on Drones

Forbes recently published an article written by Ken Long, a Senior Industry Analyst at The Freedonia Group, a division of MarketResearch.com. The article highlights seven key facts you need to know before investing in drone technology.

Read the article to learn:

  • Forecasts of U.S. drone sales to 2020
  • Which markets are poised to explode and which will climb at moderate rates
  • Where you can find possible investment opportunities
Topics: Retail Consumer Electronics Public Sector Industry Insights The Freedonia Group

Global Digital Transformation: 2017 Predictions from IDC

The International Data Corporation (IDC) FutureScape series provides clear predictions and expert insights to help technology suppliers, investors, IT professionals, and business executives strategize for the future.

Eight of these studies are highlighted below which cover a variety of areas undergoing transformative change including oil and gas, robotics, 3D printing, retail, connected vehicles, and more. Read on to learn about IDC’s 2017 predictions, and click to the report pages to access more detailed information.

Topics: Retail Energy & Resources Transportation & Shipping Consumer Electronics Marketing Public Sector Industry Insights

Research Firms Explore the Potential Impact of Trump's Presidency

How will President Donald Trump affect the economy in the coming weeks and years? Which industries face the biggest shifts? How can you be prepared for what's next?

Several market research firms are weighing in as various issues jump to the forefront of the news cycle.

Here's a look at the latest #mrx tweets serving up data and analysis on the potential economic impact of Trump's presidency across different industries.

Topics: Travel & Leisure Retail Pharmaceuticals Demographics Social Media Industry Insights

New Insights into the Luxury Goods Industry

Conditions have never been more challenging for luxury brands, according to Fflur Roberts, Head of Luxury Goods at Euromonitor International.

“Headline growth remains disappointing, and the markets overall face mounting risks — it's clear nothing is written in stone,” Roberts explained in a recent video highlighting the latest market research on the global luxury goods industry.

Topics: Retail Industry Insights

New Survey Reveals Where Consumers Shop for Groceries

Grocery retailers in the U.S. face fierce competition. There’s no shortage of retail channels vying for business — including supermarkets and discount stores, wholesale clubs, drug stores, natural food stores, farmers markets, and online delivery services.

How do these different retail channels measure up in the eyes of consumers? And with so many options available, how can retailers stand out from the competition and keep customers coming back? 

The research firm Packaged Facts addresses these questions in the new report Natural and Organic Foods and Beverages in the U.S., Fifth Edition, which includes data from a proprietary Packaged Facts National Consumer Survey conducted in July-August 2016. 

Topics: Food & Beverage Retail Packaged Facts

US Jewelry Spending Rises as More Consumers “Put a Ring on It”

For many people, marriage is a blessed arrangement, a dream within a dream...

For the jewelry industry, it’s a major driver of sales.

According to some estimates, 95% of couples exchange rings along with marriage vows, and the “gold standard” for the majority of US brides is a ring encrusted with at least one diamond.  

Thus, US personal consumption expenditures (in nominal terms) on jewelry are expected to advance 3.1% annually to 2020 as the number of new marriages continues to grow.  

Topics: Retail Apparel Industry Insights The Freedonia Group

US Interest in Golf Swinging in Equipment Suppliers’ Favor

In 2014, gymnasium and exercise equipment surpassed golf equipment as the largest sports equipment segment in the US, a position golf equipment had held since 2006. Since that time, many observers have declared the downfall of golf, citing falling participation levels and the millennial cohort’s apparent lack of interest for the game. In addition, the number of open golf courses in the US has taken a tumble in the past decade.

Topics: Travel & Leisure Retail Industry Insights The Freedonia Group

Why Surveys Don’t Work in Brick & Mortar Retail

Over the past few decades, restaurant and retail chains have struggled to easily collect voice of the customer (VOC) data — starting way back with the paper comment cards that customers would fill out, to the automated phone surveys in which customers talk to a boring robot asking questions over a 10-minute stretch.

The current trend over the past few years has been collecting customer feedback via digital long-form surveys, with a strong emphasis on mobile. Yes, this innovation has brought small increases in response rates for retail chains, but VOC response rates are still an issue the retail and restaurant industries must address.
Topics: Market Research Strategy Retail

Why Packaging Design Matters in Today's Market

While we know it’s important to not judge a book by its cover, this idea disappears when it comes to everyday shopping and buying decisions. With the average supermarket in the US carrying more than 40,000 items, brand owners face a daunting task in attracting attention to their products. In addition, the majority of buying decisions are made in stores. These factors make attractive and distinctive packaging a key component in the marketing of retail products.

Topics: Food & Beverage Retail Marketing Industry Insights The Freedonia Group