This study examined the subject of the Saudi Arabian new vehicle market. The topic addressed involved the sales-cycle within the new vehicle purchase process in Saudi Arabia. The specific research problem identified a break-down in the sales-cycle or, alternatively, a dysfunctional approach to the final step in the sales-cycle which involves the post-purchase stage where the consumer typically makes referrals or recommendations to family, friends and colleagues regarding the product or service in question. In this case, the data collected for this study in the form of an informal, anonymous survey of people that have purchased a new vehicle in the Saudi market found that the satisfaction rates with dealers were an abysmal 50 to 60% depending on the specific aspect of service quality addressed. The secondary data found that there are more than 700 thousand new vehicles sold in Saudi Arabia on average annually and this figure is expected to surpass one million in several years. Additionally, with the after sales market in service, parts and warranties continuing to expand to more than $1 billion, this post-purchase process in the sales-cycle can no longer be ignored by new car dealerships in the market. The recommendation is that new car dealerships develop and integrate social media into a customer loyalty program in the new car sales-cycle in order to improve customer satisfaction and referral rates.
This study has examined the development of multi-channel marketing strategies and solutions that are intended for emerging or developing markets. The specific focus of the research has been on these multichannel marketing strategies in support of low-cost consumer product goods or CPGs meant for developing economies. Consequently, the research objectives of this research study were to determine the optimum approach to multi-channel marketing strategies for CPG firms entering developing markets. Additionally, the study also worked to analyze the effect of multi-channel marketing solutions and they might affect the composition of the supporting distribution channel for CPGs in developing markets. The illustrative market that has been relied upon for this study is Jordan. Jordan is a developing economy in the Middle East that has significant room for positive growth both economically as well as socio-culturally because of its location next to major areas of conflict. For Jordan, the expectation is that the multi-channel marketing strategy for a CPG retailer entering the market is going to focus on on-ground, traditional marketing channels with an emphasis on print and television while online marketing channels will be included but not yet fully developed.
This study has worked to explore the characteristics of the Saudi Arabia new car market in comparison to certain aspects of the United States new car market. Specifically, this study sought to identify the unique perspectives that Saudi new car consumers have towards Japanese produced new cars compared to those of US new car consumers towards Japanese produced vehicles. Furthermore, the added element of identifying whether one market privileged value above price or price above value as a rationale in making a purchase decision was also examined. A quantitative methodology was utilized in approaching this research problem. The specific quantitative method selected was descriptive statistics because of its ability to isolate unique attributes in the data and to support conclusions about those attributes by quantifying consumer opinion in one respect or another. This study found that Saudi new car consumers in fact do have a positive perception of Asian and specifically Japanese produced cars. This assertion is supported both through the data and the fact that a Japanese car is currently the top selling new car sold in the Kingdom. Additionally, the data also finds that Saudi new car consumers tend to privilege the consideration of overall value as defined by efficiency, quality and price as a rationale to arrive at a purchase decision. Likewise, this study finds that the US new car consumer, while operating in a much different new car marketplace, tends to privilege price rather than value in the arrival at a purchase decision. Finally, this study also notes that the recent approval of women being able to drive in the Kingdom is a manifestation of the success of the Crown Prince's Vision 2030 program. This development is indicative of the way in which the Vision 2030 objectives are remaking the Saudi economy, evidenced by the new car market, into a rich consumer-driven ecosystem capable of establishing the Kingdom as an international economic benchmark.
This research has examined the issue of supply chain disruptions and how they affect price volatility in the commodities marketplace. Specifically, this point was discussed and examined in relation to the rice imports undertaken by Saudi Arabia with respect to how supply chain disruptions in the rice supply channel contributes to price volatility. The supply chain was first identified to consist of various nodes along which market participants work to move the commodity from one point to another. The observation was confirmed that any disruptions up the supply chain tended to manifest themselves in downstream effects such as the bullwhip effect in which increased inventory levels or decreasing inventory levels are felt successively further down the supply chain. These and factors relating to supply as well as demand in other markets also were identified to contribute to price volatility for Saudi Arabia and its rice imports. The analysis demonstrated that every major global economic disturbance over the past 50 years corresponded to fluctuations in the price of food commodities. Saudi Arabia was shown to receive the vast majority of rice supplies from a single market which is India. India supplies Saudi Arabia with some 72% of its rice imports which ensures that any transportation or customs issue encountered by any supply channel participant prior to the Kingdom's receipt of its rice will alter the price profile of these rice commodities. Saudi Arabia was shown to already have experienced substantial price volatility of its rice imports with much of this volatility originating in India due to suppliers in India responding to competing demand for its Basmati varieties of rice. This volatility was manifested during 2012 and 2013 when rice prices per metric ton increased some 40% overall. Finally, this report also undertook regression analysis of the rice import data that found positive correlations between variables such as time between harvest and distribution, milling facility ownership and road/shipping lane conditions and the price structure of rice. The conclusion is that supply chain disruptions can and periodically do result in price volatility for rice in Saudi Arabia. Hence, this report finds that certain factors such as information access, the establishment of long-term contracts as well as trade group membership can be effective at reducing the transaction costs in the Kingdom's rice market. Essentially, these factors can work to place downward pressure on rice prices by the metric ton which would flatten out some of the price volatility in Saudi Arabia's rice imports.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.