When should you conduct market research?
15 July 2026Many businesses associate market research with launching a new product or service, but in reality, it can provide value at every stage of a business' journey.
Many businesses associate market research with launching a new product or service, but in reality, it can provide value at every stage of a business' journey.
The government's decision to approve a social media ban for under-16s has reignited a familiar debate. Supporters see it as a necessary step towards protecting children online, while critics question how effective it will be in practice.
For years, most conversations around AI have focused on productivity; how quickly it can generate content, automate tasks or answer questions. What’s becoming more interesting now is how AI is starting to influence consumer decision-making itself.
It’s a common assumption that if a better product or service exists, customers will naturally move towards it. Yet in practice, that rarely happens as easily as expected.
Rising fuel costs and travel uncertainty are reshaping summer holiday behaviour. Rather than cancelling plans, consumers are becoming more cautious; prioritising flexibility, reliability, and control over aspiration, with a shift towards later bookings and lower-risk travel options.
Positive early feedback can create a false sense of demand. While interest signals potential, it often sits at the top of the funnel. Understanding what drives real action (and where hesitation emerges) is key to turning ideas into commercially viable opportunities.
Innovative products rarely fail because of the idea itself. More often, success depends on aligning the right audience, clear proposition, and effective pricing. Without this alignment, even strong concepts can struggle to convert interest into real demand.
Trying to appeal to everyone often leads to diluted messaging and missed opportunities. By identifying and prioritising high-value audiences, brands can focus their strategy, improve relevance, and unlock more efficient, sustainable growth.
Easter 2026 reveals a more intentional shopper; balancing value with selective indulgence. Consumers are still spending, but they are more considered, seeking products that feel genuinely worth it while showing a growing appetite for innovation that the market is not fully meeting.
CRM systems are rich in transactional data, but they rarely explain the “why” behind customer behaviour. By combining this data with targeted research, businesses can uncover motivations, identify meaningful segments, and turn raw data into actionable insight that drives smarter growth.