The Knowledge to Decide

High volume online shopping makes it difficult for US regulators to keep track of overseas manufactured items, effectively putting customers at risk. E-commerce has enabled popular products such as fidget spinners and vaping machines to win huge numbers customers without the help of any big brands. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) took a year to put new safety standards on hover boards after it entered US markets. Five months later, ten hover boards were recalled as their lithium ion battery packs were likely to catch fire or explode without warning. Should buyers beware or can cross-border e-commerce be made safe for consumers? https://www.spireresearch.com/newsroom/spirethoughts/cross-border-e-commerce-comes-with-safety-risks/

Spire Research and Consulting was honored to be appointed as the Official Research Partner for the Challenge Iskandar Puteri triathlon – a Challenge family sports event that covers 44 full and half triathlons in 26 countries. The event was held on 23 September 2017 at Puteri Harbour Marina, Malaysia. Spire Malaysia conducted online and face-to-face surveys with 222 participants of the triathlon. 245 spectators from the fun and fit zone, Kids race as well as the popular 5km run were approached. The surveys collected information about their demographic profile, interest in sports brands, travel choices, socio-economic status and degree of awareness about the event. The event combined fitness with fun-packed activities such as Muay Thai, Floor Ball, Zumba, Street Soccer, Titan Games and a 90km Bike Course taking riders around the green city. https://www.spireresearch.com/newsroom/events/spire-chosen-as-official-research-partner-to-the-challenge-iskandar-puteri-tria

Consumers today are spoilt for choice. To win them over, brands need to deliver real-time customized experiences. New technologies and techniques are allowing them to do just that. Consumers today are extremely brand savvy. With access to various media platforms to conduct research, compare prices and ultimately purchase products, consumers favour brands that deliver experiences that suit their needs in the present moment. Consumers have begun to recalibrate what is expected from their media, stores and brands – demanding real-time personalized information every step of the way. What is real-time marketing? Real time marketing is defined as using apt communication tools to provide a more profound yet personalized consumer experience and information – at the right time and place – so as to address a consumer’s needs with accuracy. This is a component of Present Tense Marketing, which concentrates on ways of understanding consumers’ current situation for a personalized experie

Mobile business in India has never been better. According to studies, Micromax, Lava and Intex – prominent Indian smartphone brands – expect a whopping 100% year-on-year revenue growth from 2015 to March 2016 due to surge in smartphone sales and rising average sale prices. Moreover, the rise of Made-in-India brands such as Micromax, Karbonn, Lava and Zen are taking the smartphone market in India by storm as they emerge as the top five smartphone brands across the nation. For instance, Micromax expects a 50% growth in sales from INR10,949 crore in 2014. Catering to the whims of consumers who now demand cost-effective models with high-end features, market players are making a beeline for India’s market. Will Indian handset manufacturers be able to compete against global, established players? https://www.spireresearch.com/newsroom/spirethoughts/made-in-india-handset-market-continues-to-grow/