A market analysis studies the attractiveness and the dynamics of a special market within a special industry. It is part of the industry analysis and thus in turn of the global environmental analysis. Through all of these analyses, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of a company can be identified. Finally, with the help of a SWOT analysis, adequate business strategies of a company will be defined. The market analysis is also known as a documented investigation of a market that is used to inform a firm’s planning activities, particularly around decisions of inventory, purchase, work force expansion/contraction, facility expansion, purchases of capital equipment, promotional activities, and many other aspects of a company.
MARKET SEGMENTATION
Market segmentation is the basis for differentiated market analysis. Differentiation is important. One main reason is the saturation of consumption, which exists due to the increasing competition in offered products. Consumers ask for more individual products and services and are better informed about the range of products than before. As a consequence, market segmentation is necessary. Segmentation includes a lot of market research since a lot of market knowledge is required to segment the market. Market research about market structures and processes must be done to define the “relevant market”. The relevant market is an integral part of the whole market, on which the company focuses its activities. To identify and classify the relevant market, a market classification or segmentation has to be done.
DIMENSIONS OF MARKET ANALYSIS
- Market size (current and future)
- Market trends
- Market growth rate
- Market profitability
- Industry cost structure
- Distribution channels
- Key success factors
- Key success details
MARKET
SIZE
The market size is defined through the market volume and the market potential. The market volume exhibits the totality of all realized sales volume of a special market. The volume is therefore dependent on the number of consumers and their ordinary demand. Furthermore, the market volume is either measured in quantities or qualities. The quantities can be given in technical terms, like GW for power capacities, or in numbers of items. Qualitative measuring mostly uses sales turnover as an indicator. That means that the market price and the quantity are taken into account. Besides the market volume, the market potential is of equal importance. It defines the upper limit of the total demand and takes potential clients into consideration. Although the market potential is rather fictitious, it offers good values of orientation. The relation of market volume to market potential provides information about the chances of market growth. The following are examples of information sources for determining market size:
- Government data
- Trade association data
- Financial data from major players
- Customer surveys
- Customer analysis
- Choice modelling
- Competitor analysis
- Risk analysis
- Product research
- Advertising the research
- Marketing mix modelling
- Simulated Test Marketing
Examples include changes in economic, social, regulatory, legal, and political conditions and in available technology, price sensitivity, demand for variety, and level of emphasis on service and support.
MARKET
TRENDS
ELEMENTS
MARKET GROWTH RATE
Important inflexion points in the market growth rate sometimes can be predicted by constructing a product diffusion curve. The shape of the curve can be estimated by studying the characteristics of the adoption rate of a similar product in the past.
Ultimately, many markets mature and decline. Some leading indicators of a market’s decline include market saturation, the emergence of substitute products, and/or the absence of growth drivers.
MARKET OPPORTUNITY
MARKET PROFITABILITY
While different organizations in a market will have different levels of profitability, they are all similar to different market conditions. A framework, known as Porter five forces analysis, identifies five factors that influence the market profitability:
- Buyer power
- Supplier power
- Barriers to entry
- Threat of substitute products
- Rivalry among firms in the industry[citation needed]
The cost structure also is helpful for formulating strategies to develop a competitive advantage. For example, in some environments, the experience curve effect can be used to develop a cost advantage over competitors.
INDUSTRY COST STRUCTURE
DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS
Examining the following aspects of the distribution system may help with a market analysis:
- Existing distribution channels – can be described by how direct they are to the customer.
- Trends and emerging channels – new channels can offer the opportunity to develop a competitive advantage.
- Channel power structure – for example, in the case of a product having little brand equity, retailers have negotiating power over manufacturers and can capture more margin.
- Access to essential unique resources
- Ability to achieve economies of scale
- Access to distribution channels
- Technological progress
SUCCESS FACTORS
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The market analysis is to help the company to illustrate the current trend in the market and may affect the profitability of the business. It can be seen as a part of industry analysis using global environmental analysis. A company can identify strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats so that the business can define the business strategy. The market analysis is also a reference for the company’s activity, like decisions of inventory, purchase, workforce, facility expansion and many aspects of the company. Penetration to find the difference or competitive advantages between two similar companies. How can we find a competitive advantage? Anticipating and reading market needs can help business leaders take significant steps towards changing the game and obtaining a competitive advantage. How can we sustain competitive advantages? The company should focus on sustaining competitive advantage due to the swift growth of global competition. Therefore, Business practice management is the following principle to maintain a competitive advantage.
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
TARGET AUDIENCE ANALYSIS
Market communication has a significant impact on building and maintaining the relationship of stakeholders. Market analysis elements are to form strategic planning and the information is responsiveness, intelligence generation, and dissemination. Besides, market communication provides the information focus on customer needs and competitive advantage. At the same time, this information spread to customers means the company spread its brand value so that customer can make awareness of the company’s products. It is the communication channel between business and customers.
