Why is there a increasing need of marketing research?

INCREASING NEED OF MARKETING RESEARCH

1)    Growth and complexity of markets :- Markets are no more local in character. They are now national and even global in character. The marketing activity is becoming increasingly complex and broader in scope as more firms operate in domestic and global markets. Manufactures find it difficult to establish close contact with all markets and consumers directly.  Similarly, they have no control on the marketing system once the goods are sold out to middlemen. This situation creates new problem before the manufacturers which can be faced effectively through MR as it acts as a feed-back mechanism to ascertain first hand information, reaction, etc. of consumers and middleman. Marketing activities can be adjusted accordingly.

2)    Wide gap between producers and consumers:- marketing research is needed as there is a wide gap between producers and consumers in the present marketing system. Due to mass scale production and distribution, direct contact between producers and consumers. Producers do not get dependable information as regards needs, expectation and reactions of consumers, they are unable to adjust their products, packaging, prices, etc. as per the needs of consumers. The problem created due to information gap can be solved only through MR as it possible to establish contact with consumers and collect first hand information about their needs, expectation, likes, dislikes, preferences and special features of their behaviour. Thus, MR is needed for removing the wide communication gap between producers and consumers.

3)    Changes in the composition of population and pattern of consumption: – In India, many changes are taking place in the composition of population. There is a shift of population from rural to urban areas. There have been considerable changes in the consumption and expenditure patterns of consumers in India. The incomes of the people, in general, are rising. This brings corresponding increase in their purchasing capacity and buying needs and habits. The demand for consumer durables is fast increasing. The market are now flooded with consumer durables like TV sets and so on. Manufacturers are expected to know such qualitative and quantitative changes in the consumer preferences and their consumption pattern. For achieving this objective, MR activities are necessary and useful. In brief, MR is needed for the study of changes in the pattern of consumption and corresponding adjustment in the marketing planning, policies strategies.

4)     Growing importance of consumers in marketing:-Consumers occupy key position in modern marketing system. They are now well informed about market trends, goods available, consumer rights and protection available to them through consumer protection acts, the growth of consumerism has created new challenges before manufacturers and traders. Even growing customer expectations create situation when manufacturers have to understand such expectations and adjust the production policies accordingly. Indifference towards consumer expectations may lead to loss of business. In the present marketing system, consumers cannot be taken for granted. Marketing research particularly consumer research gives valuable data relating to consumers. It is possible to use such data fruitfully while framing marketing policies. Thus, marketing decisions can be made pro consumer through marketing research activities.

5)     Shift of competition from price to non-price factors:- Cut-throat competition is unavoidable in the present marketing field. Such competition may be due to various factors such as price, quality, and packaging, advertising and sales promotion techniques. Entry of new competitors creates new problems in the marketing of goods and services. In addition, market competition is no more restricted to price factor alone. There are other non-price factors such as packaging, branding, after-sales and advertising which create severe market competition. Every producer has to find out the extent of such non-price competition and the manner in which he can face it with confidence. MR is needed as it offers guidance in this regards. A manufacturer can face market competition even by using certain non-price factors. The shifting of competition from price to non-price factors has made marketing of consumer goods more complicated and challenging. This challenge can be faced with confidence by using certain measures through marketing research.

6)    Need of prompt decision making :- In competitive marketing, marketing executive have to take quick and correct decision. Companies have to develop and market new products more quickly than ever before. However, such decision is always difficult. Moreover, wrong decisions may bring loss to the organisation. For correct decision making, marketing executive need reliable data and up to date market information. Here, MR comes to the rescue of marketing manager. Problems in marketing are located, defined, analysed and solved through MR techniques. This suggests its need as a tool for decision making. MR is needed as a tool for reasonably accurate decision making in the present highly competitive market system.