This paper addresses the growth of private labels from the perspective of the Middle East and finds the rising equity of private labels in the Middle East and Africa presents the research industry with new opportunities for growth and profitability.
The Gulf War had a profound impact on Saudi Arabia's political climate as well as its economic and market structures. Macro-economic dislocations have included sizeable budget deficits and dwindling financial reserves, not only due to the direct costs incurred during the war but due to substantially increased military spending since the war. Other developments have included a change in the composition of the expatriate workforce due to the government work permit policies, which had a particularly marked impact on the retail trade. Economic recovery has been unexpectedly buoyant, largely driven by private sector confidence. As a result, prospects for marketers look as promising as ever as attested by strong consumer as well as institutional demand for products and services. The paper will discuss demographic, macro-economic as well as market related changes since the Gulf War and will draw on the results of research carried out by MEMRB on: the changing structure of the retail trade and prevailing retailer attitudes' consumer beliefs and attitudes towards key socio-economic issues Through this period of rapid change market research has played a vital role in assisting companies come to grips with the changing political, social as well as economic landscape, providing vital input for the formulation of business strategy.
The dramatic political and economic changes which are under way in the former "communist blocâ countries have begun to transform the way products are marketed. The profound changes that have been taking place at all levels of the distribution chain have been particularly evident in the way the retail trade is organized and structured as well as in its marketing practices. The purpose of this research was to investigate the current pattern and structure of the retail trade, the evolving marketing practices at the retail level as well as pertinent issues and trends such as privatization and penetration of imported brands. The paper draws on the results of a recently completed census , of retail outlets, as well as on information obtained through MEMRBâs newly launched retail audits in Warsaw, St. Petersburg and Moscow. The census and retail audit information was augmented by the results of a specially designed program r.f face-to- face interviews with managers of retail outlets.
This paper collates the results of recent market research which has been fed into the formulation of physical plans for several proposed holiday resorts and other leisure facilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This research entailed both quantitative and qualitative studies, aiming at providing useful data for determining the desired product mix, potential clientele and future marketing strategies.
This paper presents the broad data requirements and the concomitant research tools needed for spatial and economic planning in the context of an Arab metropolis. It then stresses the need for creating a programme of research which continually updates the information base in accordance with the new conception of planning as a continuous process as opposed to a static blueprint. Finally, the paper examines the necessity for adjusting research methods and definitions (in procedural as well as substantive terms) so as to reflect the cultural and environmental context of the project area.