UK Lingerie & Underwear Retailing 2009 – now available through Aarkstore

UK Lingerie and Underwear Retailing 2009 is a new report providing thorough analysis of the underwear market, including forecasts for 2009. Apart from market expenditure and share analysis, nine leading retailers are profiled in detail, with men’s and women’s underwear market shares and key operating statistics, plus analysis of smaller influential operators.

Scope

Provides 10 years’ expenditure on men’s and women’s underwear including 2009 forecasts plus distribution channel analysis.
Thorough examination of the key strategic issues identifying the opportunities and threats underwear retailers are facing.
Key operating statistics for the nine leading retailers including market shares, operating profit and margins and sales densities.

Highlights

Though more resilient than clothing, 2009 will be challenging for underwear retailers – for the first time since our records began in 1988, underwear expenditure growth will be negative (-0.8%), as the recession forces consumers to be more frugal.

The underwear market is becoming more competitive than ever as non specialists aim to supplement their clothing sales with underwear, giving consumers a wider choice of retailers to buy from. Moreover, value retailers are growing their share of the market, exerting downward pressure on prices and posing a greater threat to midmarket players.

Expanding into underwear provides an opportunity for clothing specialists to boost sales, and offers added convenience for the customers. Underwear sales through clothing specialists increased by 19% (£379m) between 2003 and 2008. However, we estimate their proportion of the market declined by 0.3 percentage points in 2008 due to M&S’ loss.

Reasons to Purchase

Understand the impact the recession will have on the underwear market and how retailers can adapt their strategies in response to this.
Identify growth prospects and opportunities in the market with distribution channel shares, growth and values.
Key operating statistics allows users to benchmark businesses and use as a guide to performance across the market.

For more information, kindly visit :
http://www.aarkstore.com/reports/UK-Lingerie-Underwear-Retailing-2009-15045.html

UK Consumer Satisfaction Index 2009: Clothing – now available through Aarkstore

In an intensely competitive retail market, keeping customers satisfied has never been more important. Retailers need to understand how they satisfy their shoppers in order to enhance their appeal and increase customer loyalty. Moreover, an insight into what drives customer satisfaction at competitors is essential to win customers from them.

Scope

Measures and ranks customer satisfaction for all significant retailers in the sector over six years (2004-2009).
Includes ratings for eight performance metrics: price, range, quality, service, convenience, ambience, layout and facilities.
Covers 24 retailers including M&S, Primark, John Lewis, TK Maxx, Asda, Matalan, River Island, Bhs, New Look, Next and Debenhams.

Highlights

The downturn in consumer sentiment has directly benefited value clothing retailers and with the economic climate set to deteriorate further in 2009, value players with a strong cohesive offer are likely to satisfy the needs of a greater number of shoppers going forward. New Look, TK Maxx and Primark produced particularly strong showings this year.

John Lewis holds on to the crown for the third year running. With a score 57 points above the average this year, it tops the charts for service and layout and sits comfortably in the top three for range, convenience and ambience, proving that retailers cannot depend on price alone to satisfy customers.

Marks & Spencer’s quality credentials continue to satisfy its core shopper. Moving up one place to fourth position, M&S’ main shoppers are satisfied across a vast number of metrics, but at the top of this is quality for the sixth consecutive year.

Reasons to Purchase

Identify the preferences of your shoppers and how successful you are in delivering on them to help you retain your customers.
Understand the weaknesses of your competitors’ customer proposition and exploit them to your advantage.
Independently track how strategies and management policy are affecting or influencing customer satisfaction.

For more information, kindly visit :
http://www.aarkstore.com/reports/UK-Consumer-Satisfaction-Index-2009-Clothing-15051.html

Indian Textiles Sector: Industry Profile – now available through Aarkstore

This industry profile helps to gain an insight into the evolution of the industry and competitive dynamics prevalent in the market. It discusses the significant developments in the industry and analyzes the key trends and issues. The profile provides inputs in strategic business planning of industry professionals.

This profile is of immense help to management consultants, analysts, market research organizations and corporate advisors.

The objective and scope of various sections of our industry profile has been discussed below.

Industry Snapshot
This section gives a holistic overview of the industry. It starts with defining the market and goes on to give historical and current market size figures. It also clearly illustrates the major segments of the market which would be discussed later on in the report.

Industry Analysis
It involves a comprehensive analysis of the industry and its market segments. This section discusses the key developments that have taken place in the industry. It also identifies and analyzes the driving factors and challenges of the industry. A description of the regulatory structure tells us about the major regulatory bodies, laws and government policies.

Country Analysis
This section presents the key facts & figures of the country. It also discusses the political environment and the macroeconomic indicators. It analyzes government stability and economic growth of the country.

Competitor Assessment
This section compares the major competitors in the industry. The Competitors At-a-Glance is aimed at giving an overview of the competitive landscape in the industry.

Company Profiles
The major companies are profiled in this section. For each company, business description is given followed by financial highlights and recent developments.

Industry Outlook
This section presents the outlook of the industry. The analyst opinion and projections help us in evaluating the future of the industry. It gives an insight into the investment opportunities present in the sector.

To know more about this report, please visit the below link :
http://www.aarkstore.com/reports/Indian-Textiles-Sector-Industry-Profile-923.html

or email us for any queries at press@aarkstore.com

Indian Lingerie Industry: Trends and Opportunities – now available through Aarkstore

India holds immense growth potential for the lingerie industry, which is evident from the entry of large international brands in the Indian market in the last few years. A key factor characterizing the blooming Indian lingerie market is the increasing size of the organized market and the declining share of the unorganized market resulting in growing independent brands taking charge of the market. In addition, growing income levels of Indians and their changing lifestyles has rechristened lingerie from just an undergarment to a fashion clothing item, at least in the urban centers.

Times have changed for the better for the Indian women like never before in terms of fashion style and statement coupled with growing wealth that is helping the growth of the organized lingerie industry. From being a market worth Rs. 780 crore (US$175.9 million) in 2003, the organized lingerie market has almost doubled to Rs. 1645 crore (US$370.3 million) bustling business in the last five years.

Trade analysts and the industry insiders believe that this is because the whole scale of the Indian market has improved beyond recognition during the last five years following the advent of multinational brands in the market place and the growth of organized retail. This, perhaps, is the reason why the premium and super-premium segment of the lingerie industry, with brassieres priced above Rs. 200 (US$5) and mostly characterized by the presence of international brands, are witnessing higher growth compared to mid-market and low/economy segments.

In view of the current situation, the premium and super-premium segments of the industry are advancing following a consumer shift from economy and mid-market segments to the premium segment, while the low and economy segment is gaining from the industry being more organized.

Characterizing the premium segment are either international brands or joint venture of Indian manufacturers with international companies. Lovable, Enamor and Triumph have successfully established themselves as premium lingerie brands and brands that are in expansion mode include Etam, Benetton, La Perla and About U.

The mid-market segment is characterized by the presence of national players like Maxwell Industries (with Daisy Dee brand), BodyCare, Groversons, Red Rose, Juliet, Jockey, and Libertina.

Factors like growth in income level, preference for recognizable brands and rapid growth of organized retail is anticipated to increase the current share of the organized lingerie market of 28% in the next three years.

The study titled “Indian Lingerie Industry: Trends and Opportunities” analyzes the overall Indian lingerie market in the context of growth and developments in the niche segment of the apparel industry. The apparel and textile industry has also been examined in the first section of the report.

This study is an attempt to explore the lingerie industry through primary and secondary research and to bring out the market potential and major industry trends. As classified on the basis of price, the three broad segments of the Indian lingerie industry – low and economy, mid-market and premium and super-premium – have been analyzed in-depth to understand the growth pattern and functioning of the leading players in the respective segments. Further, supply chain of the Indian lingerie industry has been assessed and major sales channels for lingerie evaluated.

The positioning of the leading players in different segments has been analyzed in terms of brands, collaboration and distribution.

The survey on consumer and retailers helped in developing an understanding of the market from both the business and consumer perspective.

Research Methodology

This study was conducted in the four metropolitan cities – Delhi (National Capital Region), Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai.

From the consumer perspective, the survey was administered to a random sample of 1600 women, 400 each from the four metropolitan cities, who had purchased brassieres and briefs for themselves in the past 12 months.

From the business perspective, the study interviewed 80 retailers, 20 from each metropolitan city to understand the performance and functioning of leading lingerie brands. Further, chief executives and prominent people from leading lingerie manufacturing companies were also interviewed to gain an insight on the major developments in the industry.
 
To know more about this report, please visit the below link :
http://www.aarkstore.com/reports/Indian-Lingerie-Industry-Trends-and-Opportunities-758.html 

or email us for any queries at press@aarkstore.com

US Textiles Sector: Industry Profile – now available through Aarkstore

This industry profile helps to gain an insight into the evolution of the industry and competitive dynamics prevalent in the market. It discusses the significant developments in the industry and analyzes the key trends and issues. The profile provides inputs in strategic business planning of industry professionals.

This profile is of immense help to management consultants, analysts, market research organizations and corporate advisors.

The objective and scope of various sections of our industry profile has been discussed below.

Industry Snapshot
This section gives a holistic overview of the industry. It starts with defining the market and goes on to give historical and current market size figures. It also clearly illustrates the major segments of the market which would be discussed later on in the report.

Industry Analysis
It involves a comprehensive analysis of the industry and its market segments. This section discusses the key developments that have taken place in the industry. It also identifies and analyzes the driving factors and challenges of the industry. A description of the regulatory structure tells us about the major regulatory bodies, laws and government policies.

Country Analysis
This section presents the key facts & figures of the country. It also discusses the political environment and the macroeconomic indicators. It analyzes government stability and economic growth of the country.

Competitor Assessment
This section compares the major competitors in the industry. The Competitors At-a-Glance is aimed at giving an overview of the competitive landscape in the industry.

Company Profiles
The major companies are profiled in this section. For each company, business description is given followed by financial highlights and recent developments.

Industry Outlook
This section presents the outlook of the industry. The analyst opinion and projections help us in evaluating the future of the industry. It gives an insight into the investment opportunities present in the sector.
 
To know more about this report, please visit the below link :
http://www.aarkstore.com/reports/US-Textiles-Sector-Industry-Profile-812.html

or email us for any queries at press@aarkstore.com

Global market review of tomorrow’s apparel industry – forecasts to 2014

This brand new report aims to offer insights into how the apparel industry will change over the next five or so years. Its difficult to predict exactly what will happen in the future, but our analysts have worked with some of the industrys leading executives to arrive at an outlook over a short-term period, which aims to offer as realistic a prediction as is possible.
Tackling the key issues of the global apparel industry, the report looks at future sourcing by market, sourcing issues, ethics and corporate social responsibility, clothing quality and materials developments, technology and systems, colouration/finishing, infrastructure and shipping.

The report contains a wealth of unique data and analysis about the state of todays apparel market, as well as the existing trends and how they will impact the apparel market of tomorrow. Data includes values of textiles exports from key manufacturing countries to the European countries from 2003 to 2014.

The report first discusses future outsourcing markets by country, showing how and why countries will become – or cease to be – global players in this most fickle of markets. Additionally, relationships between suppliers and buyers, as well as the impact of the “flat world” on nations and specific product lines are extensively presented and discussed.

Chapter 1 – Future outsourcing markets
Textiles formed over 80% of overall exports in 2007 for countries like Cambodia. This chapter looks at the major global trends such as the slowdown of powerhouses China and India, and where their market share of apparel and textiles exporting has gone and will move to. With insight from industry executives:

Chinese firms are being impacted by “the threats of increasing labour costs, the strengthening RMB, and higher raw material prices”, as stated by Ms. Zheng Luo, CEO and Chairperson of OmniaLuo – a developer and manufacturer of fine womens apparel based in Shanghai.

The chapter goes on to take retailers points of view about outsourcing. It then reviews each major future outsourcing country, in terms of 2007 and 2008 performance, the countries philosophies and approaches and picks case studies of apparel manufacturing in each country.

Chapter 2 – Sourcing issues
Global sourcing has become the key strategy for survival and growth for several companies in the apparel market segment. This chapter summarises the key challenges faced in global sourcing, and rates the factors in choice of sourcing locations by importance.

Chapter 3 – Ethics and CSR
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become a critical consideration for tomorrows apparel industry. This chapter looks at international standards and CSR in outsourcing countries.

Chapter 4 – Production trends
We summarise major countries recent production statistics, look at tomorrows productive techniques and identify the main drivers for real-time operations.

Chapter 5 – TBC Technology and systems
This chapter looks at modern apparel production issues such as design innovations, rapidly evolving fashion styles, shorter runs for each model and improving the time to market. Buyers are presently evolving to deal with global sourcing, managing a global supplier network and achieving higher quality cost-efficiencies from increasingly diverse locations. Selected technologies that will be used more and more from 2008-2014 are reviewed.

Upgrade to a corporate user licence version of this report and receive a complimentary excel file containing all data tables included in the report, allowing you to share data more efficiently with colleagues.

To know more about this report, please visit the below link :
http://www.aarkstore.com

or email us for any queries at press@aarkstore.com

Global market review of performance apparel – forecasts to 2014

The global market size of performance sportswear is currently estimated at US$6.40bn, having risen 19.4% over the last four years, and is expected to grow a further 18.75% to US$7.6bn by 2014.

It is important to understand why and how yesterdays performance apparel emerged in order to better consider and speculate how it is likely to develop in the future. The dynamics of the performance apparel sector are more akin to the dynamics of pharmaceutical and hi-tech industries, than to the high street textile industry, and this affects the way the sector behaves. It is both the theme and contention of this report that performance apparel is entering another stage in its evolution.

In the days of prehistory, clothing covered the body, providing warmth, protection and, as time progressed, a degree of modesty. It then began to change from purely function, into fashion and function. Clothes delivered a statement about status, wealth and sophistication. Today, that statement has developed further into one about being fit for purpose, clothing that performs. In a 21st century that is prone to regulation – and full of health and safety standards – fitness for purpose is an important issue.

This is the third edition of its review of the performance apparel market. In the previous edition, the idea was put forward that the consumer – in the developed world, at any rate – is now accustomed to the idea of performance, and expects performance from both garments and fabrics. Performance is now a given.

In this latest edition the sector is reviewed worldwide, by analysing a global industry which has two segments: sportswear and protective clothing, both including performance apparel. As a result of this, performance apparel is sold in two different ways, at two different price points. As sportswear, it is sold to the individual consumer at retail prices. As protective wear, it is primarily a B2B sale to the wearers employer at wholesale prices.

This report provides a comprehensive review of the global performance apparel market, including a definition of the market, market estimates 2004-2014, market dynamics and key strategic issues, evolution of the market (past present and future) and the use of textiles in safeguarding the health of the human body.

Report coverage:

Chapter one provides an executive summary of the reports findings.

Chapter two offers an introduction, looking at the importance and expectation of performance in apparel.

Chapter three – Performance apparel defined
We consider the nature of performance apparel within the two clothing segments of sportswear and protective clothing, both of which have already been the subject of other reports. Figures from both reports are used to quantify the larger market within which performance apparel sits.

Chapter four – Performance apparel market estimates
We break down the performance apparel market between the two elements mentioned in the previous chapter. Value forecasts are made for overall consumption of both segments of performance apparel (in their retail and wholesale values) for 2008 and as a forecast to 2014. Estimates are also combined at wholesale value to understand the potential in this sector for suppliers and manufacturers.

Chapter five – Performance apparel market dynamics
The sector is reviewed in terms of a number of key strategic issues which it has to address. These are based around the product life cycle theory and the context in which it happens, looking at the industry players and their product attributes, customers, suppliers, marketing and competition. We also review non-industry issues affecting this market such as economic deterioration, sports participation, regulation, the environment and industrialisation of the developed world. Finally we look at potential scenarios for further evolution and the future of the market. Will companies and their performance products migrate to a new growth path, mature and decline gracefully, or collapse altogether?

Chapter six – Safe guarding the human body
Finally, one particular growth path for performance apparel is considered – the use of textiles with sensors to monitor and safeguard the health of the human body. Case studies include Smartexs smart clothes, thermal monitoring and show technology.

To know more about this report, please visit the below link :
http://www.aarkstore.com

or email us for any queries at press@aarkstore.com

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) Research Products

Overview:  This PARP Research Products market report explores are a superfamily of 18 proteins, of which PARP-1 is the best characterized. They are enzymes that are activated by DNA breaks to facilitate DNA repair.

Currently, there is a great deal of research being done on this family of polymerases, because its activity is linked to serious disease conditions, including cancer, ischemia, diabetes, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and septic shock. Of greatest therapeutical interest are PARP-1 inhibitors, as they exert a duel effect of inhibiting cell death and reducing inflammation. Indeed, these inhibitors have been shown to be effective as radiation-sensitizing agents and appear promising in the treatment of conditions involving oxidative stress. Additionally, quantification of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity and identification of abnormal patterns of its degradation by proteases might have utility in the diagnosis various conditions.

At this time, there are a limited number of research products available to this research community. Commercially available research tools include enzymes, antibodies, inhibitors, and assay kits designed for the measurement of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity. Because of the size and growth potential of this research products market, providing products to this market niche represents a significant financial opportunity. This report is an in-depth exploration of this research products market, including market conditions, dominant competitors, clinical applications, and product opportunities available to companies interested in this lucrative, early-stage market.

http://www.aarkstore.com/reports/Poly-ADP-ribose-polymerase-PARP-Research-Products-32482.html

Opportunities in Human Embryonic Stem Cell (hESC) Products

Overview:  Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are stem cells derived from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst, which is a stage reach 4-5 days post fertilization. hESCs are the most pluripotent of all stem cell types and can develop into over 200 different cell types of the human body.

hESCs were first derived from mouse embryos in 1981 by Martin Evans and Matthew Kaufman, and independently by Gail R. Martin. In 1995, the first successful culturing of embryonic stem cells from non-human primates occurred at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Another breakthrough followed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in November 1998 when a group led by Dr. James Thomson developed a technique to isolate and grow hESCs derived from human blastocysts. Federal funds to support hESC research became available on August 9, 2001, when President Bush announced his decision regarding federal funding for hESC research.
Because of their plasticity and unlimited capacity for self-renewal, hESCs have been proposed for use in wide range of applications, including toxicology testing, tissue engineering, cellular therapies, and basic stem cell biology research. Of particular interest to the medical community is the potential for use of hESCs to heal tissues with naturally limited capacity for renewal, such as the human heart, liver and brain.

This market report recognizes that a wide range of products and services are needed to support this active and well-funded research community. Thus, this report provides:
Discussion of key advances in hESC research

A breakdown of hESC research applications, including shared priorities and priorities by segment

hESC patent analysis

Historical and future growth projections for the hESC market

Competitive analysis of providers of hESC research tools

Overview of specialty pharma companies developing hESC therapies

Overview of toxicology testing legislation impacting use of hESC in toxicology applications

A breakdown of hESC research product categories

Suggestions for novel NSC research products, including cells, kits, assays, media and reagents

Guidance for companies that wish to offer hESCs products

http://www.aarkstore.com/reports/Opportunities-in-Human-Embryonic-Stem-Cell-hESC-Products-32477.html

Strategic Development of Neuronal Stem & Progenitor Cell Products

Overview:  Neurogenesis is the process by which neurons are created. This process is most active during pre-natal development when neurogenesis is responsible for populating the growing brain. Neural stem cells (NSCs) are the self-renewing, multipotent cells that differentiate into the main phenotypes of the nervous system. These cell types include neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) are the progeny of stem cell division that normally undergo a limited number of replication cycles in vivo.
 

The terms neuronal and neural also need to be defined. Technically speaking, “neuronal” means “pertaining to neurons”, and “neural” means “pertaining to nerves, which are the cordlike bundles of fibers made up of neurons.” Since both terms ultimately are descriptive of neurons, the scientific community uses the terms “neuronal” and “neural” interchangeably. The complexity of this issue is explored from a marketing perspective within this report.
 

In 1992, Reynolds and Weiss were the first to isolate neural stem cells from the striatal tissue of adult mice brain tissue, including the subventricular zone, which is a neurogenic area. Since then, neural progenitor and stem cells have been isolated from various areas of the adult brain, including non-neurogenic areas like the spinal cord, and from other species, including humans. During the development of the nervous system, neural progenitor cells can either stay in the pool of proliferating undifferentiated cells or exit the cell cycle and differentiate.
 

Over the past few years, neuronal stem and progenitor cells have become of profound interest to the research community due to their potential to be used in drug discovery and delivery applications, as well as for tools of neural toxicology assessment. NSC transplantation also represents a ground-breaking approach for treating a range of chronic neurological diseases and acute CNS injuries, including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and spinal cord injury, among other conditions.
 

This market report focuses on recent advances in NSC research applications, explores research priorities by market segment, highlights individual labs and end-users of neuronal stem cell research products, explores the competitive environment for NSC research products, and provides 5-year growth and trend analysis. It provides detailed guidance for companies that wish to offer strategically positioned NSC research products, including cells, kits, assays, and related media and reagents.

http://www.aarkstore.com/reports/Strategic-Development-of-Neuronal-Stem-Progenitor-Cell-Products-32473.html

Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Advances & Applications – Aarkstore Enterprise

Overview:  Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells that can differentiate into a variety of cell types, including osteoblasts, chondrocytes, myocytes, adipocytes, beta-pancreatic islets cells, and potentially, neuronal cells.
 

MSCs are of intense therapeutic interest because they represent a population of cells with the potential treat a wide range of acute and degenerative diseases. MSCs are advantageous over other stem cells types for several reasons. First, they avoid the ethical issues that surround embryonic stem cell research. Second, repeated studies have found that human MSCs are immuno-privileged, and therefore, represent an advantageous cell type for allogenic transplantation, reducing the risks of rejection and complications of transplantation. Recently, there have also been significant advances in the use of autologous MSCs to regenerate human tissues, including cartilage and meniscus, tendons, and bone fractures.
 

This market research report focuses on recent advances in MSC research applications, explores research priorities by market segment, highlights individual labs and end-users of MSC research products, explores the competitive environment for MSC research products, and provides 5-year growth and trend analysis. Additionally, this report provides guidance for companies that offer or wish to offer competitive stem cells products to this rapidly growing, well-funded research community.

http://www.aarkstore.com/reports/Mesenchymal-Stem-Cells-Advances-Applications-32470.html

Stem Cell Research Products: Opportunities, Tools & Technologies

Overview:  Since 2001, funding for research on embryonic stem cells has been extremely limited. However, on March 9, 2009, President Obama overturned the order signed by President Bush in 2001 that barred the NIH from funding research on embryonic stem cells beyond using 60 cell lines that existed at that time. This dramatic policy change represents a major opportunity for life science suppliers.
 

The market report, “Stem Cell Research Products: Opportunities, Tools & Technologies” was produced using a detailed end-user survey of research scientists, in which over 400 stem cell researchers from the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia and other international regions participated. The findings represent perspectives across a global audience of researchers.
 

As a technology company, BioInformant also used proprietary data-derivation techniques to quantify and assess critical trends in the stem cells marketplace. The result is a high value, full-content report designed to inform the decision-making of research supply companies.
 

Featured elements of this report include:
 

• What are novel stem cells research products that can be developed?
• What stem cells types are most frequently used by research scientists?
• Which species of stem cells do scientists prefer and what are the factors driving this preference (access, pricing, funding, handling advantages)?
• What are the most frequently used stem cell markers?
• What are the most common research applications, and how do they differ by segment (academic, industrial, and government)?
• Who are the leading suppliers of stem cell products?
• What stem cell product categories are already available in the marketplace?
• What are current grant, patent, and scientific publication rate trends?
• What are the major funding sources, trends, and dollar values, for domestic and international researchers?
• What is the size of the stem cell research products marketplace and how fast is it growing?
• What are communication strategies for accessing the marketplace?

  http://www.aarkstore.com/reports/Stem-Cell-Research-Products-Opportunities-Tools-Technologies-32459.html

Capitalizing on Opportunities in Cord Blood Industry Growth –

Overview: Over the past 12 months, the cord blood banking industry has expanded through double digit growth, due to new entrants in the cord blood banking industry as well as revenue growth at existing operations. Deeper analysis reveals that of existing cord blood banks, most fall into one of two “camps,” either experiencing flat-line growth (less than 3% per annum) or substantively building revenue (17% or more per annum).

This finding begs the questions:

•What factors are causing a substantial number of new cord blood banks to open up business? Is it the result of a profit opportunity, an effect of advances in therapeutic applications, a social response to more parents being aware of the opportunity to store cord stem cells at birth, or are other factors driving the activity?

•What will be the effect of these new entrants to the cord blood banking industry for existing competitors?

•Perhaps most critically, what are the differences among the cord blood banks that are experiencing flat-line growth, versus those that have substantively built revenue over the past 12 months?
In BioInformant’s initial version of this report, “Choices in Cord Blood Banking – Factors Influencing Parental Decision-Making,” launched April 2009, an survey of 1,200 expectant parents was used to provide a roadmap for how cord blood banks can best communicate and market their services to potential clients. The top-selling report explored the specific reasons that parents elect to store cord blood and what factors influence their decision-making in choosing a specific bank. (Click here to read the Executive Summary for the original version of the report.)

This expanded and updated version includes from the original report, as well as supplemental analysis of factors that have produced double-digit industry growth over the past year. It provides guidance on how to break through flat-line growth to become a fast-growing competitor within the cord blood industry.

Executive Summary

Overview: Cord blood banking is increasingly being used to improve and save lives. Stem cells derived from umbilical blood have been used in more than 14,000 transplants worldwide to treat a wide range of blood diseases, genetic and metabolic disorders, immunodeficiencies and various forms of cancer. However, many expectant parents still do not fully understand the significance of cord blood storage. A study published in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine shows that a third of expectant parents are unaware of the option to preserve cord blood. Of the two-thirds who have some knowledge, 74% describe themselves as “minimally informed.”
Part 1 of this market report used proprietary data-derivation techniques to analyze conditions of the Cord Blood Banking Industry. Part 2 of this report used an end-user survey of expectant parents to identify and analyze the factors involved in the decision to privately store, publicly donate, or discard cord blood at birth. More than 1,200 expectation parents answered the detailed survey. The survey initially focused on U.S. respondents, but due to international interest was expanded to include respondents from Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and other regions as well.

Key findings of the report includes:

•Rates of awareness by gender, income, geographic location, and education
•Sources through which expectant parents learn of cord blood preservation
•Factors influencing private vs. public storage of cord blood
•Price sensitivity and quality expectations
•Approaches for communicating with expectant parents
•Key factors influencing the decision to store cord blood
•Parental responsiveness to health statistics
•Trends in cord blood banking
•Competitive analysis of the cord blood banking industry

http://www.aarkstore.com/reports/Capitalizing-on-Opportunities-in-Cord-Blood-Industry-Growth-32359.html

e-Retail: Multichannel retail integration – Aarkstore Enterprise

An increasingly empowered consumer is now internet shopping savvy and has come to expect a consistent experience with whichever channel they choose to shop. With consumers’ expectations and competitive pressures increasing, it is imperative that retailers develop long term multichannel strategies, investing in new technology and incorporating new services in their propositions.

Scope

*Analysis of how the development of multichannel operations has impacted the way in which consumers shop.

*Overview of what the modern consumer has come to expect from their shopping experience.

*The difficulties that have arisen through the creation of multichannel retail operations.

*How retailers can respond to these difficulties and help foster the closer integration and experience consistency between channels.

Highlights

A more empowered and demanding consumer expects a high level of shopping experience regardless of which channel is utilised. It is thus essential that retailers link channels as much as possible, creating a consistent cross-channel experience.

To attain a heightened level of integration across all channels it is essential to invest in unifying both front of house and backoffice operations. In turn this will allow easier and more effective fulfilment strategies and multichannel management of customer data.

New technology such as instore kiosks and more advanced visual imagery online will facilitate the integration of different channels. It is also important for retailers to implement multichannel services such and click & collect, not only to strengthen integration but to enhance convenience credentials.

Reasons to Purchase

*Understand the impact that changing consumer habits have had on their demands and expectations.

*Identify the issues that retailers face when developing multichannel operations and the strategies that they can employ to overcome them.

*Understand what role new instore and online technology can have in achieving closer integration and consistency of experience.

http://www.aarkstore.com/reports/e-Retail-Multichannel-retail-integration-31031.html

Out-of-Town Retailing 2009 – Aarkstore Enterprise

This report examines the latest developments in out-of-town retail. It details out-of-town market sizes and trends, with five year forecasts, profiles key retailers in the sector and provides comprehensive analysis of the key issues.

Scope

*Analysis of the out-of-town market and the major out-of-town retail sectors and key players.

*Insight into the key retail issues currently influencing the UK out-of-town sector.

*A comparison of the leading 12 UK out-of-town retailers’ performance.

*A five year out-of-town market value and growth forecast including detailed analysis and future outlook.

Highlights

Out-of-town as a location is set to grow its share of total retail spend over the next five years. As the recession has taken hold, the high proportion of non-discretionary food and general merchandise stores out-of-town has seen it perform resiliently compared to more discretionary and wants spend orientated town centres.

The big four grocers continue to extend their dominance of the location, with the grocery sector as a whole accounting for 70.9% of all out-of-town sales in 2009. Food & grocery was easily the fastest growing sector in both 2008 and 2009, boosted substantially by food price inflation and the grocers further expanding their non-food operations.

Casualties and the slowing store expansion of the major players out-of-town are creating opportunities for others, with spiralling vacancy rates pressurising landlords into offering attractive deals on properties. These new and expanding players will help revive the market.

Reasons to Purchase

*Identify the impact the recession and deterioration of home-related sectors are having on out-of-town retailing.

*Gauge how out-of-town is performing compared with other locations: Is space performing better out-of-town? Are margins better out-of-town?

*Is out-of-town a profitable location? Will locating there help increase market share? Help your business? What are the possible risks/rewards?

http://www.aarkstore.com/reports/Out-of-Town-Retailing-2009-32331.html

UK Home Delivery and Fulfilment 2009 – Aarkstore Enterprise

UK Home Delivery & Fulfilment 2009 provides detailed analysis of the home delivery market. It includes both market and consumer data and uses a survey of nearly 2,000 customers to examine the key trends within nine retail sectors. With the home delivery market becoming increasingly competitive this report offers real insight into the opportunities and threats in the market.
 
 Scope
 
 *Detailed analysis of the channels within home delivery including store based, e-retail, mail order and TV shopping.
 
 *Thorough examination of the key characteristics of home delivery shoppers including demographic profile and motivation for using home delivery.
 
 *Analysis of nine retail sectors including clothing & footwear, electricals, food & grocery, furniture & floorcoverings and music & video.
 
 *Overview and competitive assessment of leading logistics and fulfilment operators.
 
 Highlights
 
 We predict that the home delivery market will decline by 2.0% in 2009. This is largely due to a substantial decline in sales through the store-based channel, with items in the electricals and furniture & floorcoverings sectors badly impacted by the recession.
 
 Sales via the internet will overtake store-based sales as the largest component of home delivery in 2009. While sales growth is slowing, at 12.0% it will outstrip the only other home delivery channel in positive ground TV shopping.
 
 Amazon has increased its lead over eBay, as the retailer most used for home delivery. 24.3% of home delivery shoppers mentioned it compared with 18.6% in the previous year almost four times that of eBay
 
 Reasons to Purchase
 
 *Understand how the home delivery customer is changing and adapt strategies to reflect this.
 
 *Use consumer data on home delivery usage to identify which sectors offer the most growth potential.
 
 *Identify the key issues for both retailers and operators within the home delivery market and develop strategies to overcome these challenges.

http://www.aarkstore.com/reports/UK-Home-Delivery-and-Fulfilment-2009-32328.html

UK Neighbourhood Retailing 2008 – Aarkstore Enterprise

Neighbourhood retailing is outperforming all other locations. The location offers substantial opportunities, but the dynamics of the market are changing. As the market consolidates, growth is becoming more elusive and while substantial opportunities remain, trading conditions are more challenging and the strategies for success very different.
 
 Scope
 
 *Key metrics of neighbourhood retail: sales growth, space, store numbers, store sizes and sales densities.
 
 *Detailed market analysis (convenience, off-licences, CTNs, food specialists, pharmacies) and profiles of all the leading neighbourhood retailers
 
 *Focus on composition of convenience market (The Co-operatives, Multiples, Symbol Groups, Independents, forecourt retailing)
 
 *Market shares for leading players 2003-2008
 
 Highlights
 
 Neighbourhood retailing is benefitting from a shift in shopping habits, an increased demand for convenience, improved standards and the arrival of the grocers. The expansion of the grocers has enticed people to shop locally and the symbol groups to enhance their propositions, encouraging independents to join and consumers to shop with them.
 
 Competition is intensifying and pressures on food specialists, independents, off-licences and CTNs mounting. With the market consolidating, the easy wins of the past are harder to come by, while the boost received from the arrival of the grocers can not be repeated. Growth is set to become more elusive and the strategies for success different.
 
 With propositions becoming more comprehensive, the need for CTNs, off-licenses and undifferentiated specialists is diminishing. As the market consolidates, store environments, fresh food and food-to-go will be key battlegrounds and the multiples, with the expertise and investment available to them, are well placed be the big winners.
 
 Reasons to Purchase
 
 *Benchmark retailer performance against the market. Understand the dynamics of the location, its composition and prospects for each channel
 
 *Identify the growth prospects of key players in neighbourhood retailing
 
 *Analyse the key issues impacting the location and identify thestrategies for success

http://www.aarkstore.com/reports/UK-Neighbourhood-Retailing-2008-15800.html