While markets in Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East are still experiencing significant growth in “hard” retailing, the USA and Europe are suffering from difficult market conditions that can largely be attributed to the rise of online retailing.

E-commerce currently accounts for around 14% of global retail sales, and this figure is set to rise to 22% by 2023. China is considered to have the highest proportion of e-commerce in the world, with online sales accounting for around a quarter of total retail sales. The UK is not far behind, with 19% of retail purchases made online, compared with 11% in the USA.

A series of recent bankruptcies involving well-known retailers on both sides of the Atlantic, such as Forever 21, Payless Shoesource and Toys “R” Us in the US, and BHS, Debenhams, Mothercare, Laura Ashley and Oasis/Warehouse in the UK, testify to the tight situation that traditional retailers were already facing before the coronavirus pandemic forced them to close stores.

In this difficult environment, it is increasingly important to understand customers’ needs and opinions. Five percent of market research worldwide focuses on wholesale and retail.

Meenthe has carried out numerous projects for online retailers of products ranging from pharmaceuticals to insurance. Projects with traditional retailers include face-to-face interviews with convenience stores, petrol stations, pharmacies and delicatessens.