"Sachet
Marketing"
Here's an interesting
business question: if roughly two-thirds of the world's
population makes USD 1,500 or less per year, why try to sell
them expensive, bulky goods and services originally designed
for consumers who easily make twenty times as much in North
America, Western Europe or Japan?
To the rescue come innovative micro-selling methods,
aimed at new consumers in developing mega-economies like China,
India, The Philippines, Mexico and Brazil. It's all about
serving up your products, services and products in affordable
portions, sachets or sizes, so that consumers get to know and
like your brand.
Meanwhile, you the manufacturer or service provider can still
make a good profit from sheer overall volume (smaller sizes,
but more buyers).
Consider the following
examples highlighting the SACHET MARKETING trend:
- In Brazil, fast moving consumer goods giant
Unilever sells Ala, a brand detergent created specifically
to meet the needs of low-income consumers who want an
affordable yet effective product for laundry that is often
washed by hand in river water. In India, Unilever
successfully markets Sunsil and Lux shampoo sachets sold in
units of 2-4 dollar cents; Clinic All Clear anti-dandruff
shampoo sachets at 2.5 rupees each; and 16 cent Rexona
deodorant sticks. In Tanzania, Key soap is sold in small
units for a few dollar cents.
- Whirlpool is cashing in on its line of
inexpensive yet stylish washing machines in Brazil, India
and China. Both price and looks have received a SACHET
MARKETING make over: machines cost USD 150 - 200 (about
half of the US average) and are customized to local tastes.
For example, in Brazil, customers wanted to see the machine
operate, so Whirlpool made a transparent acrylic lid, that
also happens to be cheaper than glass. Machines also have a
smaller capacity, because lower income Brazilians do
laundry more frequently. In China, where washers are
considered status symbols and are often placed in living
rooms due to lack of space, extra attention was paid to
sleek looks. Wash cycles were named on a by-country basis
(in India, the delicate cycle is called the 'sari' cycle).
And like microfinance, Whirlpool is already exploring the
possibility of bringing these 'people's washers' to Europe
and North America. (Source: WSJ.)
Packaging.
With SACHET MARKETING innovations taking off, it will come as
no surprise that the sachet itself is ready for innovation too.
Check out Walters Houghton products for ideas that provide
packaging of sachet products and a unique new advertising
medium. You could start your own "Satchet Marketing" capaign
today! Raising brand awareness and promoting your product to a
whole new client base.
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