Tag Archives: research

by | Monday, November 21, 2022 · 7:33 am

The Bullwhip Effect Impact on Inventory

The bullwhip effect is in fine form these days. What is the bullwhip effect? In short, the bullwhip effect is when small changes in demand at the retail level can cause large changes in demand at the wholesale, distributor, and manufacturer levels. Think of how a bullwhip whistles through the air… The small motion of the whip base causes a big crack at the end of the whip, putting everything in disarray.

The result can either too much inventory (excess product) or too little inventory (unfulfilled need). Ideally, retailers want to have enough inventory to fill demand, but not too much waste storing extra inventory. It’s a fine balance. And of course, the balance was upset by the COVID pandemic when the supply chain was significantly disrupted globally. (Remember all those empty shelves for toilet paper?)

Retail spending for some categories trended upwards during the pandemic when (1) customers demanded more inventory, so (2) retailers ordered more product, followed by (3) wholesalers ordering more from (4) manufacturers, who in turn ordered more from (5) suppliers to meet demand. The cycle was exacerbated into a larger swing in orders. Excess inventory tends to be discounted so that the shelves clear. And then the cycle start again….

Bullwhips are tough to manage. It takes coordination throughout the supply chain to maintain balance. Technology can help, but it takes a continual evaluation of on-hand inventory, order timing, and pricing.

Go ahead, crack the whip and see what happens.

Group Activities and Discussion Questions:

  1. Poll students: What categories of items have been in short supply? What categories have more inventory than needed?
  2. Show video from WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/video/series/wsj-explains/why-everything-is-on-sale-the-bullwhip-effect/86086359-41FE-440C-9E66-A106E6D045A6
  3. How can the bullwhip effect be minimized?
  4. What should be done at each step of the supply chain?
  5. Is there a long-term effect?

Sources:  Wall Street Journal (5 October 2022). Why everything is on sale: The bullwhip effect. Video.

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by | Wednesday, November 16, 2022 · 8:47 am

Gen Z’s top 20 brands

Marketers recognize the importance of understanding demographics when deciding on target markets to pursue. Age is a significant factor as different generational cohorts have different tastes, aesthetics, expectations, and values. While different research firms may define the age cohorts slightly differently, the most-often cited years for Gen Z are 1997 to 2012, making Gen Z between 10 and 25 years old. This group is just forming their tastes and solidifying their values. This of course leads them to favor certain brands and companies over others. But which ones are their favorites?

Since this group makes up a large portion of traditional college students, it is critical for marketers to understand which brands they favor and why. Their evolving preferences can indicate how companies should adapt to the new group of consumers.

A recent study done by Morning Consult, which fields tens of thousands of surveys around the world, measured Gen Z’s favorite brands.  Data was gathered between May and August, 2022, with an average sample size of 2,031 Gen Z adults born between 1997 and 2004. Key insights and rankings include:

  • Tech brands are tops with Gen Z. The most favorable brand is YouTube at 86% favorable impression.
  • Major retailers such as Amazon, Target, and Walmart have high ratings hovering around 80% favorability.
  • In particular, gaming brands hold strong sway, along with food and beverage brands.
  • Top 10 most favorable brands: YouTube, Google, Netflix, Amazon, M&Ms, Walmart, Target, Doritos, KitKat, and Oreo.
  • Top 10 with Gen Z men: YouTube, Gatorade, PlayStation, Google, Walmart, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon, Nike, M&Ms.
  • Top 10 with Gen Z women: YouTube, Google, Netflix, Target, M&Ms, Doritos, Amazon, Oreo, KitKat, Walmart.

Which brands are your favorites?

Group Activities and Discussion Questions:

  1. Poll students: What are their favorite brands? (Note: You might have students break into groups to arrive at a list of 20 brands.)
  2. Link to download the report from Morning Consult: https://go.morningconsult.com/2022-q3-pg8764a1-gen-z-favorite-brands-download.html
  3. Divide students into teams and have students analyze a data segment in the report. Teams can present their insights to the class.
  4. Have teams choose a brands that is NOT in the top (i.e., cars, household goods, consumer product companies).
  5. How can these findings be used to market weaker brands to Gen Z consumers?

Sources:  Jackson, S. (2 October 2022). From Amazon to Skittles, a new survey of the top 20 brands among Gen Z adults shows tech and snack brands reign supreme with the demographic. Business Insider.; Morning Consult. Gen Z’s Favorite Brands.

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by | Tuesday, August 23, 2022 · 7:58 am

World Population Grows to 8 Billion in 2022

Marketers understand the importance of doing research and analyzing demographic factors such as population, gender, education, age, economics and geography. This is why they continually track environmental factors – these factors are important in an organization’s strategy and growth.

Recently, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs estimates that the global population, while growing slowly at under 1%, will still reach 8 billion people by mid-November, 2022; 8.5 billion by 2030; 9.7 billion by 2050; and 10.4 billion in 2100. This equates to a 31% increase in Earth’s population by the end of the century.

Half of the world’s population lives in seven countries: China (1.426 billion), India (1.417 billion), United States (338 million), Indonesia (276 million), Pakistan (236 million), Nigeria (219 million), and Brazil (215 million). And, next year (2023), India will exceeds China’s population and become the most world’s most populous country.

Population growth is very unequal though; just eight countries will account for more than half of the global population growth before 2050: Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Tanzania.

While some countries will experience economic growth per capita, the increasing number of older citizens will pose problems with health care and senior care. By 2050, people ages 65 and older will account for 16% of the global population, up from 10% in 2022.

And let’s not forget the importance of social factors on population. The coronavirus pandemic plays an important part of the slow population growth as well as economic impacts.

The world keeps spinning!

Group Activities and Discussion Questions:

  1. Discuss the importance of environmental scanning.
  2. Show the World Population Clock: https://www.census.gov/popclock/
  3. In class, have teams of students examine different topics within the site.
  4. Video of U.N. Population Report: analysis: https://youtu.be/bZZ9gFnCzCM
  5. The U.N. World Population report can be accessed at https://www.un.org/development/desa/pd/sites/www.un.org.development.desa.pd/files/wpp2022_summary_of_results.pdf
  6. Optional: Assign students to read the report and report on critical information. The report may be divided into sections for different teams.
  7. Based on their analysis, what are the issues and risks that might occur for organizations?
  8. What should organizations do to prepare?

Sources:  Hackett, C. (21 July 2022). Global population projected to exceed 8 billion in 2022; half live in just seven countries. Pew Research Center; Tsui, K. (11 July 2022). World’s population to hit 8 billion before year’s end. Washington Post.; other news sources.

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