It is easy to assume we know just what our customers want or need. We must realize that the marketplace is dynamic. Consumer needs, wants and interests change. Consumers want their needs and wants met in a way that makes them feel valued and respected to enhance the loyalty of the customer. That will never go out of style.
But, how do they want that delivered? What products and services do they want right now? Where are they most often going to go to obtain products and services? Are your customers online, or offline? Where do your target audiences obtain their information? What are their problems, questions and concerns? How can your business help them?
You need the answers to these questions, to make the best decisions to grow your business. And, you need to constantly update those answers to ensure they are still relevant.
The Right Market Research Gets You the Right Answers
When you invest in the right market research you get the answers to these questions, and more. You are able to find out what your customers are really thinking, right now. Basing this year’s activities on last year’s consumers won’t work. You need up-to-date data so that you can fine tune your products and services, and so you can better market those things to your current and potential customers.
How Is Research Conducted?
There are many ways to research and collect data on your own, though it isn’t always easy to know what method, or combination of methods is best. Not only that, but how to execute a specific method isn’t always cut and dry. For example, surveys are seemingly easy ways to collect information, insights and opinions from customers, but it is important to not only ask the right questions, but ask them in the right way. Also, surveys are notoriously difficult to get people to fill out, with only a small percentage of overall consumers participating.
Consumer Research Specialists Will Help You Meet Your Needs
This is why consumer research specialists are so important. They can help determine if a survey is the best route, how to word and execute a survey, or whether focus groups are more appropriate, for example.
Contact us at Creative Consumer Research for your retail market research needs. All of our methods are geared toward helping you serve your customers better, ultimately taking the guesswork out of meeting their needs.