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BUSINESS RESEARCH

We offer expertise in the design and execution of market surveys and custom market research to meet the specific needs of our individual clients.

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ADVISORY SERVICES

Delivering comprehensive and accurate information through proven research approach which constitutes the basis of our advisory work.

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TRADE DEVELOPMENT

There is a rising trend of foreign companies and MNCs looking to consolidate their foothold in Middle East and Africa.

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CORPORATE SERVICES

We take great pride in developing customised approaches for establishing businesses and ventures for its clients in the Middle East.

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Who We Are

Founded in 2010, Glasgow Research & Consulting is a leading full-service business research and advisory services firm, with core expertise in market intelligence, market entry and trade development.

With offices and affiliates in Dubai, Riyadh, Harare and Auckland, we deliver customized research-led solutions across key industries in Middle East & Africa region and global emerging markets. Glasgow Research & Consulting has successfully delivered over 750+ projects across industries helping customers develop actionable insights, establish feasibility and successfully enter new markets.

Glasgow Research & Consulting clients are Global Fortune 500 companies, regional conglomerates and entrepreneurial ventures.

The ability to anticipate competitors’ moves and analyze markets is key to winning in the Middle East & Africa region. Our biggest pride comes from helping international companies to be successful in emerging markets.

Founded by former Deloitte Consulting professionals, Glasgow Research & Consulting uses a unique hybrid model that combines traditional research and an end-to-end approach to solving client problems of Market Entry and Growth.

We bring following benefits to the table:

Solid interactionProvide near real-time intelligence and strategic consultancyHands onCustomized actionable insightsUnlocking capabilitiesWe are on the ground

Our Clients

Trusted by some of the biggest brands…

And What They Say

Some kind words from our respected clients

“Fantastic!”

Enterprise Mauritius

“Helpful!”

Business & Investment between the Arab Countries and Brazil

“Experts!”

Business Finland Middle East

Our Success Stories

Some of the recent case studies across multiple industries

Business Plan Revalidation for an Automotive Ecommerce Aftermarket Services Venture in Saudi Arabia

The Challenge

The Client is a leading automotive player in Saudi Arabia. The client was keen to evaluate the potential of an Automotive E-commerce led venture in the Kingdom

The key stakeholders believed it would make a business case for them only if the size of aftermarket business is significant and offers sustainable and profitable growth

Glasgow Research & Consulting helped the client in mapping aftermarket demand, identify the high potential services

Deep-dive for selected products. Estimation of passenger car select component market size, forecasts and relevant breakdown / usage characteristics. Map distribution channels, estimated respective share & customer service behaviour. Supply side market shares. Changing Consumer habits assessment of the workshops and B2C buyers

Our Approach

Glasgow Research & Consulting market intelligence was based on a mix of primary and secondary information. In particular, the consulting team conducted interviews and discussions with leading and relevant market players and industry experts.

Automotive Aftermarket Services including roadside assistance market in KSA (Oil and filter change, Fuel, Tire services, Battery, Carwash)

Current and future trends - but not limited to Service Centers vs. Mobile Van Services; roadside assistance market; Car TCO (Cost to Own) in KSA

The approach to work leveraged strong Glasgow Research & Consulting understanding of the market dynamics driving country aftermarket demand, coupled with the internal knowledge and expertise on aftermarket distribution channels, to build a set of assumptions and scenarios which were validated by interviews and discussions with industry experts

The Result

Glasgow Research & Consulting was key to help the client in sizing the market opportunity (for select products) and find the Saudi customers appetite to download the app and potentially book the services

We helped the client to take a differentiated route and modify the offering at market entry stage

Concept viability and market entry study for a Road Side Assistance Venture in Qatar

The Challenge

The Client is a market leader in road side car battery change services. The client was keen to evaluate the potential of entering the Qatar market

Glasgow Research & Consulting helped the client in understanding the market landscape, market sizing and consumer characteristics. Map distribution channels, estimated respective share & customer service behaviour.

Our Approach

Glasgow Research & Consulting’s market intelligence was based on a mix of primary and secondary information. In particular, the consulting team spent a lot of time on the ground in Doha

We estimated the size of the passenger car market – new and old vehicles leading to the market sizing of car batteries. We further studied the roadside assistance market in detail and undertook research with the diverse demographic set that will be potential for the said service

The Result

Glasgow Research & Consulting was key to help the client with a Go-To-Market recommendations

We helped the client to identify its main target market segment

Market Assessment for a Rent-A-Car Business in UAE, with a focus on Abu Dhabi

The Challenge

The Client is a leading rent a car player in the Abu Dhabi market

The client was keen to evaluate the potential to enter the luxury segment of the market

Glasgow Research & Consulting helped the client in mapping the value chain, market segmentation, pricing analysis, etc.

Our Approach

Glasgow Research & Consulting’s market intelligence was based on a mix of primary and secondary information. In particular, the consulting team conducted interviews and discussions with leading and relevant market players and industry experts.

The Result

Glasgow Research & Consulting was key to help the client in sizing the market opportunity and an in-depth study of the aspirational competitors

We helped the client to take a differentiated route to market strategy

Market study on automotive spare parts in GCC

The Challenge

A large conglomerate in Saudi Arabia was evaluating auto spare parts as a potential diversification opportunity and commissioned Glasgow Research & Consulting to conduct a market study and recommend specific project ideas.

Our Approach

Desk research combined with 100 face-to-face and phone interviews with industry participants.

The Result

Module 1

Analysis of automobile market in GCC countries (sales, vehicle parc, key OEMs, future growth trends)

High level analysis of market and competition dynamics for after-market auto components in GCC countries

Module 2

Detailed market study on ten short-listed products covering market size, key players, imports, growth outlook, distribution value chain, barriers to entry; opportunities for acquisition

Module 3

Identification of five attractive products. Project profiles covering technology requirements, typical project size and cost, financials and investment metrics

Market study for air cargo hub and logistics park in Dubai

The Challenge

A local business house intended to launch an air cargo hub and logistics park in Dubai, a trading and logistics hub for the Middle East. The objective of the air cargo study was to develop a strategic business proposal by understanding air cargo volume trends in the region, customer decision dynamics, competitor value proposition and operations and potential customers (air cargo carriers), to facilitate a successful implementation of the plan.

Our Approach

Glasgow Research & Consulting undertook secondary research to identify general market trends in air logistics. Our consultants then held in-depth, face-to-face interviews with air cargo carriers, shipping lines, end-customers of air and/or sea cargo, logistics/industrial park developers, tenants of other logistics/industrial parks and executives of Dubai ports and airports.

The Result

Glasgow Research & Consulting recommended market entry strategy for the air cargo hub enabled the client to develop a business plan that succeeded in gaining management approval for investment. Project deliverables included a holistic market environment report series on the demand outlook for air cargo in the region, qualified lead generation of air cargo carriers, suggested value proposition to air cargo customers (pricing, CSFs) and the recommended approach to developing linked infrastructure such as logistics and industrial parks.

Market study of the grocery retailing sector in North Western Saudi Arabia

The Challenge

A large Saudi conglomerate wanted to get an in-depth understanding of the grocery retailing, wholesale market and bakery market sector in North Western Saudi Arabia.

Our Approach

Glasgow Research & Consulting as part of the market study undertook extensive field based primary research across North Western Saudi Arabia in order to understand the grocery retailing, wholesale market and bakery market. A cross section of big and small retailers were interviewed, baggala owners met and an understanding of consumer needs was developed.

The Result

The client used Glasgow Research & Consulting’s recommendations to review its:

Current product offering. Comprehend its market position

Develop an understanding of the competitor set and understand the fast-changing consumer trends in the marketplace

Three options recommended at the end of the market study were:

‘Exit’ the business

‘Defend’ its position

‘Expand’ aggressively

Opportunity assessment for a single brand grocery store in Saudi Arabia

The Challenge

A renowned Middle Eastern conglomerate, a vertically integrated supply chain involved in growing, processing, transporting, trading and retailing food products in Saudi Arabia wanted to examine an additional business opportunity of a single brand grocery store stocking both its own products and other products produced exclusively for the company under a single brand.

Our Approach

As part of the opportunity assessment study, field based primary research was undertaken in Saudi Arabia combined with extensive desk research (both regionally and globally) in order to understand the single brand grocery retailing market.

The Result

The study identified four ‘value propositions’ that are being used by existing single brand retailers in different countries:

Geographic origin – an appeal based on a specific (usually local) source for the products

Health/organic – selling only products implied to confer a health benefit as compared to products sold elsewhere

Price – simply cheaper overall and on a product-by-product basis than multi-brand stores, as characterized by so-called ‘hard discounters’ in Europe and the US

Brand extension – extending the established appeal of an existing brand (food or non-food) into the grocery retailing arena

A hybrid concept combining brand extension with geographic origin was recommend as part of the market study.

Market and Consumer Assessment Overview Study for a Major Mall in Riyadh

The Challenge

With the increased competition in the Riyadh mall-based retail landscape and life moving towards North of Riyadh, Kingdom Center felt prudent to understand the market from a demand /supply perspective, understand the fast-changing consumer needs, interview its current retailer set in the mall and user/non user consumers for satisfaction / dis-satisfaction

Our Approach

Glasgow Research & Consulting as part of the market study undertook extensive primary research interviews with retailers, users and non-users of the mall to arrive at a strategy and tactical marketing strategy

The Result

The client used Glasgow Research & Consulting’s recommendations to undertake the following changes:

Launched a loyalty program

Improved signage across the mall and in the car parking areas

Moved some tenants from low to potentially high footfall areas

Brought new tenants in the food court to offer more food diversity

Worked in generating more PR for the mall

Market entry and feasibility study for a Dubai based Irish Lounge and Bar’s entry to Bangalore, India

The Challenge

The Client is a very successful Irish Lounge and Bar brand in UAE and Ireland. The holding company now feels the time is now prudent to grown the brand globally via a franchised model

Our Approach

Glasgow Research & Consulting as part of the market study undertook extensive primary research to develop an in-depth understanding of the Lounge and Bar market in Bangalore

The Result

The client used Glasgow Research & Consulting’s recommendations to:

Suggest the best suited business model for India. Comprehend what is the best suited ‘JV partner’ for them in India. How does that look

Developed understanding of the CBD, SBD and PBD (Central, Secondary and Peripheral Business districts). Development understanding on the cosmopolitan Bangalore consumer

The client met a few prospective JV partners in Bangalore, Mumbai and Pune

Market Study of the Residential, Office, Retail and Hotel Market in Karbala, Iraq

The Challenge

As part of the study the client wanted to develop an understanding across the 4 asset classes in Karbala, Iraq for a planned new township i.e., on residential, retail, office and hotel sectors

Our Approach

Glasgow Research & Consulting as part of the market study undertook extensive field based primary research across Karbala across the 4 asset classes retail, office, residential and hotel market – Karbala

The Result

The client used Glasgow Research & Consulting’s recommendations to:

Base the way forward for the project based on the demand and supply mechanics in the market. Arrive at a product offering. Comprehend its market position

Arrive at a decision to come up with a sizable ‘affordable housing supply’ as part of the overall development

Base its financial feasibility based on the market findings

Our Trade Development Case Studies

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906, 2022

BUSINESS RESEARCH

ADVISORY SERVICES

TRADE DEVELOPMENT

CORPORATE SERVICES

Who We Are

Solid interactionProvide near real-time intelligence and strategic consultancyHands onCustomized actionable insightsUnlocking capabilitiesWe are on the ground

Our Clients

And What They Say

Our Success Stories

Business Plan Revalidation for an Automotive Ecommerce Aftermarket Services Venture in Saudi Arabia

Concept viability and market entry study for a Road Side Assistance Venture in Qatar

Market Assessment for a Rent-A-Car Business in UAE, with a focus on Abu Dhabi

Market study on automotive spare parts in GCC

Market study for air cargo hub and logistics park in Dubai

Market study of the grocery retailing sector in North Western Saudi Arabia

Opportunity assessment for a single brand grocery store in Saudi Arabia

Market and Consumer Assessment Overview Study for a Major Mall in Riyadh

Market entry and feasibility study for a Dubai based Irish Lounge and Bar’s entry to Bangalore, India

Market Study of the Residential, Office, Retail and Hotel Market in Karbala, Iraq

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