Asian Markets
- Asian consumer growth index bullish for Thailand, China and India
Asia Market Research dot coms August update to the Asian Consumer Growth Prospects Index is marked by the first tentative upturn for the long suffering Japanese consumer market, more confidence in the Chinese consumer market with the containment of SARS, and a quite substantive uptick for India (and to a lesser extent Pakistan), where decreased tensions with each other has reduced country risk significantly. - RFP trends from market research company show softening of China upward trend for Q1-2 2003
According to one Asian based consumer market and brand research company, the proportion of Requests for Proposals for market research so far this year reduced for China and East Asia, and increased for Thailand. - The Asian Womens Shopping Experience: New research from Thailand
Similar to the yuppies of the 80s, Asian women are earning and spending, but this newly found wealth is part of a newly found freedom as well as an economic evolution. According to a recent study in Thailand a key female demographic go on brand shopping sprees four times a month. - SARS, Thailand, tourism and business travel: How fast for recovery?
Latest data on recent tourist arrivals to Thailand reveals major plunges in the usually leading incoming tourist countries of Japan and China but less or nil affect on travel from Europe and Australia. Nobody really knows when the travel and tourism industry and business travel in Thailand and South East Asia will rebound now that all ASEAN countries apart from Singapore are seen as SARS free. Best guesses are that it will be a gradual and steady recovery. Managing perceptions is key. - Chinese market research agency SARS procedures
Market research is an essentially social activity when it requires primary data collection among consumers. While much publicity on the effects of SARS in China has been focused on the airline, health-care, tourism, and restaurant industries, secondary effects are wide ranging. - Consumer growth prospects fall in the wake of SARS
Aprils Asian Consumer Growth Index, AMRs index of consumer growth prospects for the next 12 months, shows almost all of the 12 economies surveyed on the decline, in particular Hong Kong, Singapore and China. - SARS strikes market research in Asia
SARS is already perceived as a greater threat to the sustainability of the market research and advertising business in Asia than the war on Iraq according to a quick survey of major market research and advertising agency executives based in Asia yesterday. Postponements and cancellations of projects due to inability to attend briefings and observe focus groups by clients are the major cause - Thailand TV Ratings Technology battle shapes up
Theres a bull-fight shaping up in Thailand for the TV ratings measurement market with Video Research Japan announcing this week that they have developed Thailands most accurate audience measurement technology following two years of research and development by their local unit Video Research International (Thailand). - Prospects of War affect Asian consumer demand growth for the next 12 months
War is on the minds of many consumers in Asia, possibly causing many to delay purchases due to increased unknowns from an anticipated war in Iraq. Both foreign and domestic investment has also slowed in most Asian equity markets this month. - Asia Pacific IT professionals to outnumber other regions by 2006
It was only a matter of time before the center of the IT and computer programming world moved towards Asia. A new IDC report estimates that the Asia Pacific will house more computer programmers than any other region including North America and Europe by 2006.
- Greeks inflamed by bail-out demands
Mood darkens before parliamentary vote that political leaders cast as referendum on whether the country would stay in eurozone - German minister signals support for Portugal
Unguarded comments from Wolfgang Schäuble fuel expectations that Lisbon may have to ask for additional rescue funds and more time to pay back - China cuts Iranian oil imports, says IEA
Stunted economic growth in Europe takes a toll as the IEA, the oil watchdog for industrialised countries, makes its sixth consecutive reduction - Pressure grows to arm Syria rebels
Arab and western states caught between allowing regime to continue its brutal crackdown and risk of escalating conflict by arming the rebels - US trade deficit reaches six-month high
The gap increases more than expected for December, rising 2.7 per cent to $48.8bn, the highest level since June - Fund chief arrested for insider trading
The head of Whitman capital has been charged with insider trading as part of the US government’s investigation into corruption on Wall Street - The bulls return, but for how long?
Share indices are near 2011 highs but investors wonder whether the rally is sustainable as they point to the risks that could check the advance - South Korea’s K-pop takes off in the west
South Korea’s entertainment industry had broken out of Asia and is now looking to make it big in the west. - Hirai outlines vision for leaner Sony
Kazuo Hirai, the incoming chief executive, wants a leaner and more integrated company - Chinese vice-president faces balancing act
Finding a middle ground between advancing China’s interests and accommodating the west may be difficult during outspoken Xi Jinping’s US visit