Who: We are seeking foreign car owners in Seattle to participate in paid focus group discussions. Must be able to prove ownership of vehicle.

What: An interesting 2 hour focus group discussion. This study pays $100 for your time and participation.

When: August 26 - 28

How: Please take the online pre-screener. We will get in touch by phone if you may qualify.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Car_Study 

What: An interesting 25-minute in-person interview among homeowners to give your opinions about household healing/cooling.  This study pays $75.

When:  25 minute in-person interview scheduled at your convenience between June 1- 10th, between 9am and 6:30pm. 

  

Where:  Midtown Manhattan

 

How:  To see if you qualify please take the online pre-screener.  We will get in touch by phone if you qualify.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Air_Conditioning

What:  An interesting 2 hour focus group ($125) for people who own devices/scales that measure Body Mass Index. Groups will be held June 8 -9 in the evening (food provided). 

   

 

Where:  Midtown Manhattan

 

How:  So that we can see if you qualify please shoot an email to recruitment@sisinternational.com   

• Name
• Telephone number
• Type of device owned (make, model, year)
• Reason for your device ownership
• Age
• Marital status
• Your availability June 8-9

We will get in touch by phone if you qualify.

We are looking for people who travel internationally 3+ times per year for a focus group in Mid June. 

Please send an email to recruitment@sisinternational.com with your contact information and details:

--cabin flown

--destinations traveled to in Asia in one year (if applicable)

--destinations traveled to in Europe in one year (if applicable)

--your job title

--telephone number

--email address

--Social media profile link (e.g. linkedin, facebook, etc)

Detroit’s Big Three are not the only car manufacturers who have been in trouble: Toyota had to recall more than 10 million vehicles worldwide in 2010, which dropped them from second to third place in sales behind Ford and GM.  Changing car trends coupled with the economic downturn in 2008 has given CEOs in the Automotive Sector more reason to rethink their strategies.

But the automotive is not without hope; there are signs of improvements with car companies introducing new technologies that will make driving easier and better for the environment.  Some 2011 car models will start using “stop-start” technology.  This innovation shutdowns the engine when the car is stopped briefly (stop light, backed up highway, etc.) and then restarts the engine when the driver touches the accelerator pedal.  The “stop-start” technology’s goal is to increase overall fuel economy and reduce pollution.

By Rueya Ceylan and Sonja Sobota, Research Analysts

For successful Christmas Marketing the marketer has to understand consumer habits of holiday shopping and new trends.  It is crucial to analyze the customer’s need and the tools used for holiday shopping.  With the internet already being a huge platform for today’s generation, online shopping has been taken to new stages.

The holiday shopping season starts with the usual Black Friday hype.  Manufacturers claim to have the newest items for the lowest prices.  The sale is announced in the newspapers, TV and radio stations.

Millions of shoppers storm into the malls and stores hoping to get a great bargain for the Christmas season.  As a result of the retail trade group, over 200 million consumers visited stores and websites over the Black Friday weekend. Last year’s results came up to 195 million.

SIS International Market Research

Following the "Great Recession" of 2009, consumers are living in the "new normal".  Here are some of the changes facing consumers and retailers in 2010.  

Thriftiness

Consumers are spending less. Coupons, private labeled goods, loyalty rewards cards, products in bulk, self-service and discount stores are increasingly part of the consumer’s protection against financial worries. Deflation in prices is a fear among retailers.

Consumers are both more educated and risk-averse when purchasing products.  They use product rating sites to read other users’ product ratings and to compare prices and functionality. 

American consumers increasingly seek to enhance their wellness without the help of a medical professional. Organic retail stores have become more mainstream, despite the obesity epidemic.

Redefined consumerism and values

American attitudes toward ravenous consumerism has changed.  According to one survey, 75% of respondents mentioned they would rather spend more time with family than make more money.

Consumers are increasingly pressured to pay off debt and consume only necessary products, instead of continue past consumption habits.

Increasingly, consumers want to know about product sustainability and the origination of goods.  Locally produced goods are increasingly becoming a fixture in supermarkets. 

Brick-and-Mortar not dying for all retailers

While brick-and-mortar shopping malls and video stores have declined, retail banks and specialty stores (e.g. Apple store and Sony Store) are still relevant to consumers. Online shopping and local retailers are gaining more importance. 

New consumption trends are emerging, such as online grocery shopping in urban areas and online suit tailoring.

Retailers finding new ways to be relevant to consumers 

Sophisticated digital signage is becoming a way for retailers to promote deals and track the effectiveness of in-store point of purchase advertising and messaging.

“Nostalgia marketing” is a rising trend, particularly with products targeted toward Baby Boomers. Marketers are creating goods emphasizing emotional connections to meaningful symbols. 

The natural and organic food and beverage market is reshaping the US consumer lifestyle, with a wide range of products available in every retail outlet in the country.  US consumers are also increasingly becoming health savvy consumers with preference on purchasing natural alternatives to processed foods and other mainstream offerings.