LOCALIZASIANWhy ‘from Asia, by Asia, for Asia’ is the
region’s hottest consumption story.
AsiA Trend BulleTin
JULY 2014
Are Asian brands out-innovating those in the West?Well, sure: in plenty of cases.
But the comparison is outdated ;)
When it comes to innovation – and delighting consumers –
the idea that ‘western’ brands are still the yardstick against
which Asian brands should be measured just doesn’t stand
up anymore.
Today, Asian consumerism sets its own standards. And that
means Asian consumers are now flocking in rising numbers
to Asian brands that are catering to their lifestyles and their
wants and needs – and doing it with the kind of expertise that
only a local brand can bring.
LOCALIZASIAN is a trend we first published in 2013. But we’re
revisiting it now simply because the accelerating pace of
Asian consumerism means it’s just as - if not more - relevant
than ever!
Want proof? Read on...
lOCAliZAsiAn 2www.trendwatching.com/trends/localizasian
57% of Indonesian consumers say they prefer
local brands, against 37% who say they
prefer foreign brands.
JANA, SEPTEMBER 2013
lOCAliZAsiAn 3www.trendwatching.com/trends/localizasian
One (powerful) example of the ‘by Asia for Asia’ phenomenon? Xiaomi.
The Asian tech brand, founded in 2009,
outsold Apple in China in Q1 2014.
In Q1 2014, Xiaomi sold 10.4 million smartphones in China
against Apple’s 9 million, putting Xiaomi ahead for the
first time. In fact, Q1 Xiaomi sales were 53% higher than
total sales in 2012, as Asian consumers embrace the tech
brand’s targeted mix of high performance and low prices.
Furthermore, March 2014 saw the first batch of Xiaomi
Mi3 smartphones entering Singapore; stocks ran out in
two minutes. That followed launch of the midrange Redmi
in Singapore earlier in the year; the first batch sold out in
eight minutes.
Tech lust among Asian consumers? Increasingly, it’s
about local brands.
lOCAliZAsiAn 4www.trendwatching.com/trends/localizasian
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lOCAliZAsiAn | in rising numbers, Asian consumers are embracing new products and services targeted at their needs and wants by Asian brands that understand them better than competitors outside the region. The result? A deluge of ‘by Asia for Asia’ innovation!
DEFINITION
lOCAliZAsiAn 6www.trendwatching.com/trends/localizasian
Three underlying forces are helping to push LOCALIZASIAN forward.Rising affluence. Local love. Home
advantage.
WHY NOW? Explosive growth in the Asian middle classes
means millions more Asian consumers with high
expectations.
Asian consumers are increasingly determined
to invest in, reimagine and showcase their own
localities, traditions and cultures.
No one understands Asian consumers quite like
Asian brands.
1. RISING AFFLUENCE
2. LOCAL LOVE
3. HOME ADVANTAGE
lOCAliZAsiAn 7www.trendwatching.com/trends/localizasian
1. RISING AFFLUENCEMillions more middle class consumers
means a virtuous circle of high
expectations and targeted innovation.
Across Asia, the middle classes are exploding.
In China, the number of households earning over USD
35,000 in real terms will triple to almost 80 million by 2022
(Ernst & Young, February 2014).
Meanwhile, the number of middle class and affluent
consumers (MACs) in Indonesia will double by 2020, to 141
million people (Boston Consulting Group, March 2013).
One consequence? Millions more Asian consumers have
money to spend on products and services that truly target
their needs and wants. And local brands have more reason
than ever to put local consumers – their lifestyles, their
desires – first.
WHY NOW?
lOCAliZAsiAn 8www.trendwatching.com/trends/localizasian
2. LOCAL LOVEThe grass ISN’T greener on the
other side.
The emergence of Asia as an economic powerhouse
means increasing cultural power and confidence, too.
No wonder rising numbers of Asian consumers are
determined to invest in, reimagine, and even showcase on
the world stage, their own localities and traditions.
That doesn’t just mean a change in global tastes when
it comes to music or fashion. It has impacts across
consumerism.
Just one snapshot of those impacts? In Indonesia, 65% of
consumers say that supporting local companies is a key
advantage of buying local (Jana, September 2013).
WHY NOW?
lOCAliZAsiAn 9www.trendwatching.com/trends/localizasian
3. HOME ADVANTAGELocal knowledge and cross-border
agreements mean local brands are
harder than ever to beat.
Let’s keep this simple: Asian brands know Asian
consumers – their lifestyles, aspirations, needs and wants
– better than anyone. One case in point? Just see below
how Reserve Bank of India is innovating for consumers
who don’t have a bank account.
But competitive advantage for local brands doesn’t stop
at that: there’s increasing regional cooperation, too. For
example, it’s intended that 2015 will see the southeast
Asian nations create the ASEAN Economic Community, a
single market to allow the free flow of goods and services
between the constituent members.
Put the two together, and it’s little wonder there’s no
stopping ‘by Asia, for Asia’ consumerism!
WHY NOW?
lOCAliZAsiAn 10www.trendwatching.com/trends/localizasian
FEATURED INNOVATIONS
Take a look at these Asian brands already targeting the needs, wants and desires of Asian consumers.
lOCAliZAsiAn 11www.trendwatching.com/trends/localizasian
FeATured innOVATiOns: lOCAliZAsiAn
Brunei HalalReady made halal foods for Malaysian consumers
lOCAliZAsiAn 12www.trendwatching.com/trends/localizasian
FeATured innOVATiOns: lOCAliZAsiAn
PotatooIndonesian temporary tattoo brand caters to local sensibilities
lOCAliZAsiAn 13www.trendwatching.com/trends/localizasian
FeATured innOVATiOns: lOCAliZAsiAn
Panasonic Cut Out the DarknessJapanese brand’s social initiative brings solar lanterns to Indonesia
lOCAliZAsiAn 14www.trendwatching.com/trends/localizasian
FeATured innOVATiOns: lOCAliZAsiAn
Tsunagari Hot Support AppJapanese cellphone service helps family members keep track of elderly relatives
lOCAliZAsiAn 15www.trendwatching.com/trends/localizasian
FeATured innOVATiOns: lOCAliZAsiAn
Chinese Tourists VIP CardSouth Korean government initiative offers privileges to Chinese tourists
lOCAliZAsiAn 16www.trendwatching.com/trends/localizasian
FeATured innOVATiOns: lOCAliZAsiAn
Samsung NX MiniKorean brand rides the Asian ‘massfie’ trend
lOCAliZAsiAn 17www.trendwatching.com/trends/localizasian
FeATured innOVATiOns: lOCAliZAsiAn
Muku ShuttrRemote control device allows individuals to take the perfect selfie
lOCAliZAsiAn 18www.trendwatching.com/trends/localizasian
FeATured innOVATiOns: lOCAliZAsiAn
TongsisThe Selfie Stick and its rise to fame in Indonesia
lOCAliZAsiAn 19www.trendwatching.com/trends/localizasian
FeATured innOVATiOns: lOCAliZAsiAn
Reserve Bank of IndiaIndian bank’s system enables the unbanked to withdraw cash
lOCAliZAsiAn 20www.trendwatching.com/trends/localizasian
FeATured innOVATiOns: lOCAliZAsiAn
VikaspediaIndian government launches local Wikipedia-style site
lOCAliZAsiAn 21www.trendwatching.com/trends/localizasian
FeATured innOVATiOns: lOCAliZAsiAn
Let’s FoldSouth Korean mobile game inspired by origami
lOCAliZAsiAn 22www.trendwatching.com/trends/localizasian
NEXTSo what does LOCALIZASIAN mean for brands inside
and outside the region?
lOCAliZAsiAn 23www.trendwatching.com/trends/localizasian
Take aimWant to start innovating? Take your pick.
Asia is home to a myriad of consumer
characteristics and unique needs.
Seniors in Malaysia? Teens in Shanghai?
Get close to your target, and learn about
their lifestyle, behaviors and aspirations.
NEXT
lOCAliZAsiAn 24www.trendwatching.com/trends/localizasian
NEXT
BRAND MOVEMENTSOne actionable angle on local needs
and wants? Think beyond just profits,
and ask how your brand can start a
BRAND MOVEMENT around a shared
local concern or value. Take inspirations
from Panasonic’s Cut Out the Darkness
campaign, or NTT Docomo’s Tsunagari
Hot Support App.
lOCAliZAsiAn 25www.trendwatching.com/trends/localizasian
NEXT
Tap some LOCAL LOVEIf you are a local Asian brand, utilize
your home advantage by building
‘local’ into your brand’s DNA. Think
campaigns and content that stress your
homegrown credentials.
lOCAliZAsiAn 26www.trendwatching.com/trends/localizasian
NEXT
Competition Alert!Neither an Asian brand nor operating
in the region? This trend still has
implications for you. Your next
competitor could be an Asian exponent
of LOCALIZASIAN, who succeeds,
grows and expands to your doorstep.
Why not start thinking about an Asian
partner today!
lOCAliZAsiAn 27www.trendwatching.com/trends/localizasian
lOCAliZAsiAn 28www.trendwatching.com/trends/localizasian
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