Showing posts with label industry report store. Show all posts

Tuesday, 14 January 2014

Wearable Tech Devices in 2014: The Rise of the Smartwatch

The 2014 International CES event, an annual global consumer electronics and technology tradeshow, took place in Las Vegas last week. It featured innovative technology that is changing the shape of our future, quite literally, featuring curved LED screens, VR goggles, smartwatches and 3D printing. The event harnessed the power of social media as much as possible, utilising the hashtag #CES2014 to track the buzz generated by the show around the world. Its top trending phrase was ‘wearable tech’ which is undoubtedly going to be a massive trend for 2014, as well as the future of the technology market. Google Glasses and Sony’s SmartWig are both heavily talked about wearable tech currently in the pipeline but a product which featured prominently at CES was smartwatches.

It seems like the logical step, and the most marketable, wearable tech device, but there has been criticism about the practicality of a smartwatch, and questions about its usability. It seems as if companies have been scrambling over themselves trying to stay ahead of the curve by being the first to release a full-functioning smartwatch, which has resulted in poorly designed, sub-par pieces of technology. Currently smartwatches, like those showcased at CES, are contingent on the use of a smartphone. The fact that smartwatches are not presently autonomous appears to be the biggest issue with consumers, because there seems little point to it if it relies on a smartphone to work. Smartwatches with their own micro-sim are already being discussed, but besides these customer qualms, there’s been hugely positive feedback on the smartwatches showcased at CES.

One hot favourite is the Pebble Smartwatch, which gained its popularity after crowd source funding from Kickstarter. The

company announced at CES that they are releasing a steel encased version at the end of this month, as well as their own Pebble app store, whereas previously users had to go through third-parties to download their apps. There is no denying that there are still issues, but the concept and product potential is incredibly impressive. The Pebble Smartwatch features include weather, traffic and news updates, notifications from social media apps, games, utilities, remotes to control your central heating or lock your car door and with its 5ATM waterproof status it is also being marketed as a fitness aid to help users track their goals whatever the weather. Their sleek designs, with e-Paper display are keeping them in pole position at the moment, but with huge corporations such as Apple and Google leaking hints about their versions of smartwatches, this emerging market is clearly going to be a competitive landscape as we continue into 2014.

It’s vital for any business wishing to learn more about the wearable tech market to invest in business intelligence, to keep up with competitors and recognise areas for potential growth in the industry. The Industry Report Store has just released an extremely valuable report from Technavio featuring an in-depth market analysis for smartwatches in the current climate, and in coming years. As well as input from industry experts, this report contains details about majority vendors including Apple, Samsung, Sony, Qualcomm and Pebble Technology.

If you would like to request some sample pages for this report please don’t hesitate to contact us, or see our website for more information: The Global Smartwatches Market 2014-2018

About Industry Report Store:

Industry Report Store is one of the world’s most comprehensive libraries of market intelligence, with the perfect report for every business need at every budget. Business information is paramount for companies seeking to stay ahead amid challenging economic conditions and intense competition. Contact us today to take advantage of our premium intelligence insights and keep up with your industry competitors.

Social media is now integral to successful business relationships. Connect with us to be the first to find out about exclusive offers and get involved with the latest industry discussions.

Elizabeth Ryan

Marketing

T: +44(0)20 3220 0814
M: elizabeth.ryan@progressivemediagroup.com

Headquarters: John Carpenter House, John Carpenter Street | London, EC4Y 0AN, United Kingdom

Tuesday, 7 January 2014

E-Cigarettes: New year, new way to smoke

It’s the start of a new year which means that millions of us prescribe to predictable and ever-growing ‘new year’s resolutions’ to be thinner, happier and healthier in 2014. Advertisers are as poised as ever to leap at the jugular of our insecurities to make some profit. Among obvious opportunists such as dieting and fitness companies and dating websites, charities including Cancer Research use this time of change to promote their Dryathlon event, which raises money from people abstaining from alcohol for January. Corresponding to the idea of ‘dry January’, many consumers will attempt to forgo their 40 a day cigarette habit at the beginning of a new year. This is where the e-cigarette company NJOY, the self-titled industry “gold standard”, targeted existing smokers who wished to quit by offering up their product as an alternative, with the slogan “friends don’t let friends smoke”. NJOY have been one of the first e-cigarette companies to promote their product for its potential health benefits, which may indicate where the market will grow in 2014 and beyond.

The consumers in North America and the affluent countries in Europe are becoming increasingly health conscious, and they want the market to reflect their needs. E-cigarettes might not be a proven health tool yet, but many are choosing to view them as such. From 2016 they are going to be classed as medicines instead of consumer products if plans go ahead, making the market a battleground for companies endeavouring to capitalise on this consumer trend. Over one million people in the UK alone use e-cigarettes, and some analysts are predicting that the e-cigarette market will be worth more than the traditional cigarette market, currently over £400bn a year, in just ten years. Most cigarette company are recognising the change, and that the association with ‘health’ means big profit potential. With massive superstores like Sainsburys and Tesco Express bringing the product to a wider market, it’s fairly safe to say that 2014 and is going to see a massive increase in the common use of e-cigarettes.

Companies are now competing to be the leading brand in the market, with some such as Nicolites going the further step by launching ‘energy boosting’ e-cigs which are enriched, similar to energy drinks, to give the consumer a stimulating rush when inhaled. Alongside this come warnings from those who say we do not have enough statistics about the long-term side effects in order to actively encourage the use of e-cigarettes. Others worry that children as young as seven will start to use them recreationally, especially if they are allowed to be advertised as glamorous, harkening back to original days of cigarette marketing in the 1920s. Many countries including Brazil, Austria and Belgium has banned e-cigarettes entirely, with Michael Bloomberg controversially changing the e-cigarette legislation in New York before finishing his term as Mayor. The EU faces a potential ban if several countries within the union decide to vote against it, but despite all these challenges the market still looks set to grow.

The key to ensuring that your business has all the tools necessary to thrive in this growing market is premium market intelligence. The Industry Report Store has a brand new report which comprehensively covers the global e-cig market, from analysis of the present and predictions for the future. It covers the market trends, drivers and challenges as well as SWOT analysis of major companies such as NJOY.

Contact us now to find out more about this report.

About Industry Report Store:

Social media is now integral to successful business relationships. Connect with us to be the first to find out about exclusive offers and get involved with the latest industry discussions.

Elizabeth Ryan

Marketing

T: +44(0)20 3220 0814
M: elizabeth.ryan@progressivemediagroup.com

Headquarters: John Carpenter House, John Carpenter Street | London, EC4Y 0AN, United Kingdom

Wednesday, 18 December 2013

Cloud Technology, GPS and the Innovations of Modern Warfare

One of the most frustrating constraints of a smartphone is the battery life. With so much going on - apps running, music playing, wifi searching and photo taking, the modern phone cannot compete with battery life in the way your old brick would. Gone are the days of charging your handset once every three days; now we must charge our mobile three times in one day! With this being an obvious and much talked about customer complaint, technology companies are trying their best to find ways to either: increase the battery power without ending up with a handset that would look at home in 1989, or invent technologies that connect to other power and information centres.

Cloud technology is changing everything, and luckily for the phone companies, it’s providing some solutions to their battery problems. One of the biggest drains on battery power is GPS, which needs to constantly connect to satellites and download data simply to pinpoint an initial location. A researcher from Microsoft Research, Jie Liu, reckons that in a standard device, constant GPS sensing would burn through a battery in just six hours. Liu and his team have developed a GPS system using cloud technology which requires only a few milliseconds of satellite information, and then pulls data from various cloud servers. The GPS chip is then essentially delegating, resulting in a much smaller drain on the power source.

This system is known as CLEO (Cultivating the Long tail in Environmental Observations) and is claimed to perform continuous GPS sensing for over a year from just two AA batteries. Aside from the implications of this technology for smartphones and other consumer-wares such as GPS systems in private vehicles, this emerging technology is massive for the military, who rely on GPS systems to ensure the safety of their troops. As armies around the globe strive to be the leaders in technology-led modern warfare, something like cloud-powered GPS could have an incredible impact on the future of military operations.

The Industry Report Store has a highly valuable report for anyone with an interest in the future of the military. This report is a comprehensive overview of the current GPS and GNSS device market, with exclusive insights into market drivers, industry trends, and strategic insights, as well as forecasts for the challenges and developments in the market in the next ten years. The market is expected to grow due to modern warfare expectations, such as cloud technology, which is why tailored market intelligence is the best possible business tool for those in the industry.

Find out more about this brand new report here: The Global Military GPS/GNSS Devices Market 2013-2023.

If you want to request some sample pages, or have any other queries about our vast collection of market research reports then do not hesitate to contact us.

About Industry Report Store:

Social media is now integral to successful business relationships. Connect with us to be the first to find out about exclusive offers and get involved with the latest industry discussions.

Elizabeth Ryan

Marketing

T: +44(0)20 3220 0814
M: elizabeth.ryan@progressivemediagroup.com

Headquarters: John Carpenter House, John Carpenter Street | London, EC4Y 0AN, United Kingdom

Monday, 9 December 2013

50% off all Reports until December 13th 2013

For this week only spend over $2,000 on reports and get an exclusive 50% discount off of all Canadean, Conlumino, Kable and SDI reports*

These leading brands supply premium market intelligence, leaving no potential market unexplored. Canadean examines the global soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and packaging industry, whilst Conlumino analyses consumer behaviour in the retail industry. Kable provides unparalleled insight into the public sector and ICT industries, whereas SDI delivers real-time customer and competitor intelligence on the global defence industry.

Business information is paramount for companies seeking to stay ahead amid challenging economic conditions and intense competition. The Industry Report Store, as one of the world’s most comprehensive libraries of business information, has the perfect report for every business need at every budget. This sale has an extensive coverage including Beverage, Defence, Food, Foodservice, Health and Beauty, Packaging, Retail and Technology reports.

Successful businesses take advantage of opportunities while they can. Use this flash sale to invest in valuable market intelligence to inform your company and keep up with your industry competitors.

These are some of our most popular reports ranging from $2,000 to $16,000 - all now at 50% off:

Global Energy Drinks Report 2013

Innovation in Food Packaging 2013

Innovation in Caps and Closures 2013

The Global Military Ammunition Market

The Global UAV Market 2013-2023

The Global Military Radar Market 2013-2023

ICT investment trends in Western Europe - Understanding ICT spending to 2014

Global Consumers and Sweeteners Sentiment and Communication

Global Functional Food Survey: Trends and Insights 2014–2016

The Prepared Meals Market: What Consumers Eat and Why?

Contact us now to request sample pages for these reports or find out more.

*Beverage, Defence, Food, Foodservice, Health and Beauty, Packaging, Retail and Technology reports from the following brands only: Canadean, Conlumino, Kable and SDI. Terms and Conditions apply. Offer valid when you spend $2000 or more. Expires December 13th 2013.

About Industry Report Store:

Industry Report Store is the most comprehensive online resource for market research reports, analysis, news and expert commentary on 40 industries in over 100 countries. Find over 150,000 global and country sector reports, consumer trend reports, company profiles and market guides, all available for online purchase.

The reports in our store draw on robust primary and secondary research, proprietary databases, industry surveys and insightful analysis from our own in-house expert teams and from carefully selected third-party publishers. We provide access to the latest data on global and local markets, key industries, top companies, M&A activity, new product launches and trends so you can make faster and better informed business decisions.

With access to over 400 in-house analysts and journalists, and a global media presence in over 30 industries, Industry Report Store delivers in-depth knowledge of local markets worldwide.

Elizabeth Ryan

Marketing

T: +44(0)20 3220 0814
M: elizabeth.ryan@progressivemediagroup.com

Headquarters: John Carpenter House, John Carpenter Street | London, EC4Y 0AN, United Kingdom

Why not take a moment to browse our new site www.industryreportstore.com. We cover over 50 industries, 130 countries and include over 30,000 company profiles.

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Tuesday, 3 December 2013

Coca-Cola Bows to Pressure About the Use of Artificial Sweeteners

The reputation of sweeteners is constantly fluctuating because of the media, and with such mixed messages being thrown at consumers it’s no wonder that they’re confused about what is fact. We are bombarded with adverts that tell us using sweeteners aids weight-loss, reduces the risk of diabetes and is the ‘quick-cure’ that we have all been craving. Alongside this, researchers and news articles present findings that sweeteners are in fact a cause for obesity, as well as a whole host of nasty side-effects including increased risk of cancer. It can be hard to separate the hype from the reality, especially when millions of dollars are on the line. This is especially true for Coca-Cola.

The pressure on Coca-Cola about their use of artificial sweeteners is growing every day. All the bad press concerning the safety of Aspartame, the widely used artificial sweetener which has been documented as being dangerous, is resulting in a fall in sales of diet sodas. Coca-Cola has recognised the consumer demand for ‘natural’ sweeteners, and in a bid to counteract negative press they are working on manufacturing soft-drinks using natural, low-calorie sweeteners.

Aspartame has given all sweeteners a bad name, and it has left consumers wary. The FDA has said that Aspartame is safe to use, despite receiving over 10,000 complaints associated with 91 known symptoms, as well as the persistent theory that Aspartame could be linked to more series diseases like Cancer and Alzheimer’s. Alongside this, a study which looks at the last 20 years has analysed the link between Aspartame consumption and Cancer and found a clear connection to Leukaemia.

Many consumers have concluded from this information that artificial sweeteners are bad, so natural and organic sweeteners must be the way forwards. Sweeteners are still seen as an essential tool to fight obesity and diabetes, and this is where the ‘natural sweeteners’ market has grown into its own. Natvia, an Australian natural sweetener derived from the Stevia plant is soon to be launched in the UK. It has no calories but is 300 times sweeter than sugar and has naturally been a part of the human diet for thousands of years. We are going to be seeing a great deal more of Stevia based sweeteners in the future, as synthetic Aspartame and similar sweeteners are edged out of the market from adverse press.

There is another hurdle facing the reputation of sweeteners. There is some research to suggest that consuming sweeteners actually creates more sugar cravings in our body, because our brain knows that we have consumed something sweet but it isn’t rewarded with any calories. This leads to worse cravings and the increased likelihood of eating more, which is why some studies have said that the consumption of sweeteners is actually linked to weight gain and the increase of type-2 diabetes. Some doctors are now shifting their advice to recommend small amounts of real sugar, such as in fresh fruit, and avoiding sweeteners all together.

Consumers’ attitudes towards sweeteners are impacted by research and news stories, and their understanding of which sweeteners are artificial and which are natural make a huge difference to the market. The Industry Report Store has released a pioneering report which uses cutting-edge media analysis and consumer polls to examine consumer attitudes, brand awareness and perception towards sweeteners. It’s essential for any business who wishes to be a presence in the market to first understand consumer sentiment towards the product, which is what makes this market intelligent report such an effective business tool. With insight into health concerns, specific brand perception, which brands are being most discussed online and the factors influencing consumer decisions, this is a comprehensive report that will allow you to tailor your marketing and strategic planning in accordance to consumer demand.

If you found this post engaging and wish to know more about this report then see here:

Global Consumers and Sweeteners Sentiment and Communication

About Industry Report Store:

With access to over 400 in-house analysts and journalists, and a global media presence in over 30 industries, Industry Report Store delivers in-depth knowledge of local markets worldwide.

Elizabeth Ryan

Marketing

T: +44(0)20 3220 0814
M: elizabeth.ryan@progressivemediagroup.com

Headquarters: John Carpenter House, John Carpenter Street | London, EC4Y 0AN, United Kingdom

Why not take a moment to browse our new site www.industryreportstore.com. We cover over 50 industries, 130 countries and include over 30,000 company profiles.

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Monday, 2 December 2013

Public Pressure and The Packaging Industry

Last week we heard that the UK Government is set to introduce new legislation that forces tobacco companies to use plain packaging for cigarettes. This is following months of delays from the authorities who believe that the damage to the industry will be too great a price to pay. Those championing the bill state that it is one of the most important health issues facing our country at the moment. This plain packaging idea is especially aimed at children and young adults, where some believe that the sleek advertising glamorises smoking. Since two thirds of people begin smoking as children, Cancer Research UK has argued that plain tobacco packaging could be “one of the greatest gifts we can give the next generation.”

It’s been over a year since Australia introduced plain tobacco packaging legislation, and evidence from a survey conducted in Victoria is being used to support the UK bill. It found that smokers using standardised plain brown packets were 81% more likely to consider quitting, and that subconsciously smokers associated the packaging with poorer quality products. This research from Australia is also being used to supported legislation changes in India, Scotland, Ireland and New Zealand. India in particular has a huge health incentive to introduce plain packaging, since one third of its population consume tobacco and almost one million people die from cancer caused by smoking or chewing it every year.

There’s no doubting that this would be a step forwards in making us a healthier nation, but the impacts for the packaging industry are likely to be astronomical. Not only will it hit the tobacco industry hard, but it will bring into question the packaging associated with all products that pose a health risk. How long until alcohol will no longer legally be allowed to be advertised as desirable? How far will this packaging-censorship spread? In the future will soft drinks such as Coca-Cola be required to have plain packaging due to its links to diabetes and obesity? That seems far-fetched but if this law is implemented then it sets the precedent for further change to the packaging industry, and none of us know how far that will extend.

These kinds of changes due to public pressure lead to seismic changes in the global packaging industry. Packaging companies need to stay on top of the changes in laws, and in consumer perception in order to keep their business and marketing strategies up to date with the latest information. The Industry Report Store has a range of market intelligence packaging reports to inform businesses about the current market, trends, insights, and challenges for the future. It’s a tough time for any industry, and when government decisions make incredible impacts on the market, it’s essential for any company to keep up with their competitors by being as well informed as possible.

To view all of our reports on the packaging industry, click here.

Or if you prefer to speak with someone, contact us now to arrange a free consultation.

If you found this post interesting you might also like to take a look at these:

Huhtamakibuys BCP Fluted Packaging in UK

Innovation in Caps and Closures 2013

Latest Trends and Key Issues in the Retail Packaging Market

About Industry Report Store:

With access to over 400 in-house analysts and journalists, and a global media presence in over 30 industries, Industry Report Store delivers in-depth knowledge of local markets worldwide.

Elizabeth Ryan

Marketing

T: +44(0)20 3220 0814
M: elizabeth.ryan@progressivemediagroup.com

Headquarters: John Carpenter House, John Carpenter Street | London, EC4Y 0AN, United Kingdom

Why not take a moment to browse our new site www.industryreportstore.com. We cover over 50 industries, 130 countries and include over 30,000 company profiles.

Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter

Thursday, 28 November 2013

Cyber-crime: The Greatest Threat to Business Survival

Increasingly in the news we’ve been hearing about cyber-security, but how seriously are we taking it, and what are the impacts for businesses? Most of us will scan past the issue, deeming it irrelevant to our company. This is the exact problem that officials trying to promote awareness about internet safety are facing. Many organisations believe that they are adequately guarded, but even the best-protected government, military and business systems have already been breached, and in 2014 they will be put under further pressure. With the development of cloud technology and increase of BYOD to work, businesses who would not have considered themselves a target in the past are becoming easy-pickings for experts in cyber-espionage.

EY global information security leader Ken Allan has been reported saying that cyber-crime is the greatest threat for organisations' survival today. This is supported by a statement from Baroness Pauline Neville-Jones, the Government's special representative to business on cyber security:

"Better awareness and understanding of the risks and effective cyber security will be seen as a positive differentiator for UK businesses and will enable them to survive and thrive in today's competitive global environment."

To put all this information into perspective:

Only 20% of large organisations detected cyber threat last year.
90% of UK workers admitted to clicking unverified web links on a regular basis.
Respondents who took a global security survey indicated that 14% of overall allocated funds for the next twelve months will be invested in internet security.

“Organisations must undertake more proactive thinking, with tone-from-the-top support. Greater emphasis on improving employee awareness, increasing budgets and devoting more resources to innovating security solutions is needed," says EY global risk leader Paul Kessel.

There is no doubt that cyber-security will be a booming market in the months and years to come, making it an attractive investment opportunity. The way that the industry is coping with the challenges it faces, and the forecasts for how this will affect the market as a whole are key insights that any business interested in cyber-security need to be aware of. The Industry Report Store has an impressive report containing this kind of invaluable information, for instance the fact that the cumulative global expenditure on cyber warfare systems in the next ten years is expected to reach US$166 billion.

Market intelligence is the best weapon a business can have in order to stay ahead of the competition and align their business and marketing strategies to current and forecasted trends. This report details which markets are planning to spend the most money on cyber-defence, and who the emerging key players of the industry are. This is a forward-thinking industry with huge potential, so ensure that your business is well equipped to deal with the potential pitfalls, such as Western austerity measures, by investing in business intelligence.

See more about this report here: The Global Cybersecurity Market 2013-2023

About Industry Report Store:

With access to over 400 in-house analysts and journalists, and a global media presence in over 30 industries, Industry Report Store delivers in-depth knowledge of local markets worldwide.

Elizabeth Ryan

Marketing

T: +44(0)20 3220 0814
M: elizabeth.ryan@progressivemediagroup.com

Headquarters: John Carpenter House, John Carpenter Street | London, EC4Y 0AN, United Kingdom

Why not take a moment to browse our new site www.industryreportstore.com. We cover over 50 industries, 130 countries and include over 30,000 company profiles.

Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter

Wednesday, 27 November 2013

The Future of Functional Foods

Scientific and technological advancements are changing every aspect of our day-to-day lives, and what we eat is no exception. Increasingly the food that we eat is becoming ‘functional’. Whether the product has added health benefits, vitamin enrichment or probiotics, we consume them on a daily basis. Often without realising, we eat foods that have been enhanced in some way, if you consider that most breakfast cereals are fortified with Vitamin B-12, Iron etc. The potential for these kinds of nutritional developments are limitless, especially when you consider that one-in-eight people around the global are going hungry right now.

Priscilla Samuel, PhD, Director of Global Nutrition at Tate & Lyle commented that “innovative food technologies and ingredients are critical and have a valuable role in the global food supply by delivering highly relevant health benefits. Tate & Lyle is committed to investing in innovation and nutrition research to ensure that our ingredients, when incorporated into great tasting foods, can also help consumers meet their nutrition, health and wellness needs every day."

Tate & Lye have developed sodium reduction technology which has incredible potential for the global diet, with high-sodium intake proven to be a factor of high blood pressure and heart disease. They have also developed technology to increase the dietary fibre of foods and absorption of calcium, showing that their company is attempting to pave the way for functional food development.

Alongside this Arla Foods Ingredients has forecast that the demand for products with additional dairy proteins is going to rise as we begin to realise their full potential. The company has introduced something called Nutrilac Hi-Pro Improvers, which is a line of functional milk proteins that boost protein levels in dairy products, without affecting taste and texture. Hi-Pro Improvers are made from natural milk proteins and help to create nutritious products with increased protein content, with no dryness or graininess. The potential there is for a high-protein diet that is much smaller in quantity than ever before. This particular functional food has stemmed from a direction consumer demand, which raises the question of what the future of food will look like.

So far most functional foods have a reputation of being un-appetising, especially probiotic yogurt drinks, but Copper Moon has just announced the release of a new instant coffee that contains probiotic GanedenBC30. This product is going to be widely available at supermarkets such as Walmart, and it doesn’t seem completely farfetched to imagine in a few years that you might be able to order your Tall Starbucks Latte with an extra shot of probiotics.

The market is currently very optimistic about the future of functional foods, according to 81% of industry players. It appears that consumers are now recognising the health benefits of functional foods, as well as the potential prevention of chronic diseases. Recognising the trends and insights of functional foods and where the market is forecast to develop is crucial for any business within the industry.

The Industry Report Store has just released a special survey report about the global functional food market. It contains detailed intelligence about the Arla Foods Ingredients predictions and what it means for the market as a whole, as well as other industry insights. This is an extremely visual report, illustrating exactly where the market is at and where it is set to go.

See more about this business intelligence report here: The Global Functional Food Survey: Trends and Insights 2014-2016

About Industry Report Store:

With access to over 400 in-house analysts and journalists, and a global media presence in over 30 industries, Industry Report Store delivers in-depth knowledge of local markets worldwide.

Elizabeth Ryan

Marketing

T: +44(0)20 3220 0814
M: elizabeth.ryan@progressivemediagroup.com

Headquarters: John Carpenter House, John Carpenter Street | London, EC4Y 0AN, United Kingdom

Why not take a moment to browse our new site www.industryreportstore.com. We cover over 50 industries, 130 countries and include over 30,000 company profiles.

Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter