Author
Yuichi Ota
Yuichi is our Partner based in Shanghai. He has a proven track record of providing management consulting support and M&A support mainly to Japanese and Chinese companies. In the area of management consulting, he has provided a wide range of support, including but not limited to business strategy development, market entry strategy development, market competition research, process improvement, and organizational optimization.
The global consumer and retail industry has been in a constant state of evolution, driven by emerging trends, technological advancements, and world events. Businesses are quickly adapting to meet shifting consumer preferences and leveraging innovative solutions to stay competitive in the fast-paced market. This dynamic landscape requires agility and forward-thinking strategies to thrive.
During YCP Group’s recently concluded Strategic Session held in Bangkok, Thailand, our Consumer & Retail Expert and Partner, Yuichi Ota, delivered a compelling presentation on how emerging megatrends are shaping the dynamic industry.
Ota touched on three key megatrends and explained how each trend affects businesses from a macro and micro perspective. In addition to megatrends, he also provided a case study example to showcase a real-life application of the megatrends and how YCP has helped clients adapt to changing landscapes.
Emerging Megatrends within the Global Consumer & Retail Industry
Population – Developed countries are currently experiencing market maturity, prompting a shift in focus toward developing regions and nations. With Asia emerging as a high-potential market, businesses are increasingly looking to capitalize on growth opportunities abroad.
Localization – As the focus shifts to increasing market share in Asia, companies must adapt by localizing their approach to appeal to the market. Understanding consumer behavior and their needs in each market is crucial in differentiating one’s business and remaining competitive in the market.
Restructuring – The need for localization is also accompanied by a need for restructuring. While some global brands have gotten ahead and entered the Asian market over a decade ago, their business models require updating to adapt to the current market needs.
Case Study: YCP's Strategic Support for a Japanese Cosmetics Brand in Vietnam
One of YCP’s clients, a prominent cosmetics and personal care brand from Japan, sought the firm’s assistance in upgrading their factory in Vietnam. This factory had been set up over a decade ago and was used as an entry point to cater to the Southeast Asian market.
However, the factory had been deemed inefficient by the company for several reasons, such as inflation, the strengthening dollar, and the weakening Japanese yen. The client required help across several areas:
- Staying up to date with the local market and identifying their target market.
- Determining the necessary investment for business transformation.
- Executing the management change.
YCP was tasked with helping the clients update their business model and restructure their factory to increase overall efficiency. With YCP’s strong credentials and deep understanding of the personal care sector, Ota and his team of experts provided comprehensive support to help the clients understand their market, formulate a strategy, and execute the changes.
The clients greatly benefitted from market research, competitor intelligence reports for strategy planning, and project management services to bolster the factory’s capabilities. Ota shared, “We feel that YCP Group has a strong advantage in this aspect, compared to the other professional firms, especially given our strong experience and knowledge within the personal care sector through the Group’s principal investments."
As more businesses expand their reach into the Asian market, success will depend on a company’s ability to understand their consumer’s behavior and needs. By embracing localization, adapting to regional preferences, and staying agile in the face of evolving market conditions, companies can effectively navigate the complexities of the Asian landscape. Leveraging insights from market research, investing in digital transformation, and fostering strong local partnerships will enable businesses to not only enter but thrive in these burgeoning markets.
Yuichi is our Partner based in Shanghai. He has a proven track record of providing management consulting support and M&A support mainly to Japanese and Chinese companies. In the area of management consulting, he has provided a wide range of support, including but not limited to business strategy development, market entry strategy development, market competition research, process improvement, and organizational optimization. For M&A support, he has been involved in a wide range of projects, including financial advisory, business due diligence, pre-closing, and PMO in pre-closing and PMI. Prior to joining the YCP Group, he was selected as a member of GE's Leadership Program (EEDP), where he led new businesses from start-up to sale.
