Necessity is the mother of all invention, Plato said. Never has this sentiment been more relevant than right now, when brand owners, manufacturers and retailers are being forced to innovate to remain competitive in an increasingly difficult business environment...
Gareth Pearson, BMi Research 12 Feb 2019
In all our years of watching and researching consumer trends, this is the first time that the evidence we are gathering points to an overwhelming digital influence...
Gareth Pearson 7 Jan 2019
With Stats SA reporting a 0.7% GDP decrease in the first quarter of 2017, the announcement we were all dreading finally came in June...
Gareth Pearson 11 Jul 2017
Think you know South African shoppers? Think again. Recent shopper insights* research reveals local consumers have changed. A lot. And this radically redefined identity is tipped to gain significant momentum in 2017...
Gareth Pearson 25 Jan 2017
Mass personalisation is not just a buzzword or international trend making waves overseas. It's here and already making its presence felt in the local consumer market. Here's what you need to know...
Gareth Pearson 8 Dec 2016
Retailers creating 'theatres of shopping' is not new. However, the idea of grabbing consumers by their senses; dropping them into lavish multi-sensory experiences; and physically moving them beyond everyday brand interactions to meaningful, personalised brand engagements is...
Gareth Pearson 29 Jun 2016
![[BizTrends 2016] Evolving consumer landscape favours the bold](https://biz-file.com/c/1601/327547-120x120.jpg?2)
One of the biggest drivers in 2016 will be consumers' continually shrinking wallet...
Gareth Pearson 18 Jan 2016
So, you've launched a new product or opened a new business unit or even started a whole new company from scratch, and did all your homework in the way of market research beforehand?...
Gareth Pearson, BMi Research 24 Nov 2015
As a strategic direct marketing tool, advanced analytics has the power to revolutionise the South African retail sector. It enables retailers to connect with their customers personally like never before, actively to influence purchase behaviour and drive sales, and to deliver the kind of value that will keep these customers coming back for more...
Gareth Pearson 6 Jul 2015
![[Trends 2015] The power of the crowd](https://biz-file.com/c/1501/250528-120x120.jpg)
BMi market research chief executive officer, Gareth Pearson, outlines his consumer brand trends in brief, which will shape 2015...
Gareth Pearson 4 Feb 2015
Internationally, brewers are increasingly turning to aluminium cans for packaging, despite the purists crying 'sacrilege', as they swear their brew belongs in bottles.
Gareth Pearson 18 Sep 2014
World Entrepreneurship Day takes place tomorrow, 21 August 2014, and is a time for South Africans to review how we facilitate, nurture and encourage entrepreneurship.
Gareth Pearson 20 Aug 2014
'Professional shoppers' literally use all the resources at their fingertips, such as smartphone apps, website, cut-out coupons, QR codes, broadsheets and loyalty cards to find the best value deals. As a new breed of consumers, they are challenging and questioning the way that retailers package, price and distribute their products.
Gareth Pearson 23 Jul 2013
![[2013 trends] Predictions for the retail sector](https://biz-file.com/c/1301/122590-120x120.gif)
A transformation is in motion amongst shoppers and retailers country-wide. Consumers are becoming more discerning and demanding, and retailers and manufacturers are under pressure to innovate, offer quality and savings - all in one eco-friendly package! Here are some interesting trends for the retail sector that I've identified for 2013.
Gareth Pearson 23 Jan 2013
Own brands, store brands, dealer own brands, home brands... call them what you will, private labels are here to stay and not just as in-the-background, budget-friendly brands, aimed at cash-strapped consumers but rather as significant players in the retail space. This growth provides a unique opportunity for South African retailers to connect with their customers as never before.
Gareth Pearson 13 Nov 2012
Sustaining customer interest and loyalty in the current market is difficult and, while retailers have the option of offering sales and products at discount prices, what do manufacturers do? Doing the same old thing, the same old way just isn't going to cut it in a market where consumers are already squeezed and looking for improved products that offer increased value. The answer - innovation.
Gareth Pearson 10 Jul 2012
Retailer's in-store out-of-stock rate continues to cost billions in lost revenue, with global studies showing the rate has remained unchanged at 8% over the past 10 years.
Gareth Pearson 28 Nov 2011
Following company research, there have been several noticeable shifts in retail marketing in the past with two predominant trends emerging that retailers seem to be tapping into in developing their marketing strategies.
Gareth Pearson 10 May 2011
