What's in a Label?

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SINGAPORE, June 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- There has been much written about the increased spending power of Asian consumers, in addition to their penchant for fashion and brand names, many of which have launched or expanded in Asian markets over the last decade.  Now there is evidence that not only are people in India and China more brand-conscious than their counterparts in Europe and the U.S. – they also are quite open in their passion for brand names in the context of fashion.

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In fact, almost three-quarters of adults in China (72%) and in India (74%) admit that brand names are important to them when purchasing clothing and accessories, compared to just one-quarter in the U.S. (26%), Great Britain (24%), and even in the country known as the world's fashion haven – Italy (28%)!

These are some of the results of The Harris Poll conducted online by Harris Interactive among 9,222 adults in Singapore, Hong Kong, China and India (June 1 and 10, 2011), the U.S. (May 24 and 26, 2011) and Great Britain, France, Germany, Spain and Italy (May 25 and June 1, 2011).

Trendy vs. Classic

There are indications that in certain markets purchasing classics is more important than being trendy.  74% of Americans tend to purchase classics versus trends; a practice which is shared among adults in China (71%), India (70%), France (60%), the UK (58%), Germany and Italy (57% each).  

However, in China and India, 63% indicate that they "like to be the first out of their friends to have the latest trend" whereas a quarter or fewer in all the other countries agree (between 9% and 24%).

In most of the markets studied there is a strong belief that good brand names translate to quality products; 9 in 10 adults in India (89%) and China (92%) believe that brand names provide better value due to quality, a thought shared by majorities in Singapore (75%), the U.S. (65%), Italy (63%), and France (53%) as well.  However, in Spain (41%), Great Britain (48%) and Germany (47%), fewer than half think this is the case.  

In Singapore (77%), India (72%), Great Britain (68%), the U.S. (66%), Spain (65%) Italy (64%) and Germany (63%) there is also a fondness for bargains, even if they are not brand names "as long as it is trendy."  In Singapore where shopping is a national pastime – and on the heels of the Great Singapore Sale – 41% report the main reason for their last purchase as "I was just browsing and it caught my eye."  One in five adults in Singapore said they made their most recent purchase because "it was on sale and I just couldn't resist a bargain."

Brands of What Exactly?

In Europe, branding is important when it comes to cosmetics and fragrances.    In France 61% indicate that brands are important in for cosmetics and fragrances and many adults in the UK (46%), Italy (61%), Spain (48%) and Germany (41%) say the same.  In Italy and Spain majority said brand names are important for sunglasses (60% and 52%, respectively).

In China and India, brands of watches are important, with 83% in China and 87% in India indicating this.  79% in China indicate that jewelry brands are important yet only one in five in France (22%), the U.S. (20%) and Germany (19%) agree .

In terms of their most recent clothing purchases, Indians were most likely to have made their recent purchase for a specific occasion, with 25% indicating this, which is not surprising given the number of family events, weddings and celebrations that their country is known for.  Adults in India also indicate that brand names are important for formal wear, with 79% saying so.

So What?

While brand names may always be important, there are different values associated with these recognizable labels depending on the culture.  Majorities in many countries agree that brand names are generally good quality, but in some places trendiness and the love of a bargain can trump the benefits of a well-known label.  

In markets like China and India, conveying an interest in brand names is paramount, especially when it comes to status symbols like formal wear for a wedding or a shiny watch.   With the growing buying power of consumers in these markets it will be important for brands to continue to tailor their products to appeal to their consumers' specific cultural values and beliefs.

Methodology

This Harris Poll was conducted online within the United States (from May 24 to 26), Singapore, Hong Kong, India and China (from June 1 to 10, 2011) and Great Britain, France, Germany, Spain and Italy (from May 25 to June 1, 2011) among 9,222 adults (aged 18 and over). The number of people surveyed in each country is as follows:

Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.

All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore, Harris Interactive avoids the words "margin of error" as they are misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal.

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Interactive surveys. The data have been weighted to reflect the composition of the adult population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in the Harris Interactive panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

The results of this Harris Poll may not be used in advertising, marketing or promotion without the prior written permission of Harris Interactive.

The Asian Harris Poll^® #2, June 23, 2011

By Asha Choksi, SVP, Research and Operations, Harris Interactive Asia

About Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is one of the world's leading custom market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Serving clients in over 215 countries and territories through our North American, European, and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help us – and our clients – stay ahead of what's next. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com or contact [email protected].

Press Contact:
Asha Choksi / Amrita Banta
Harris Interactive Asia
+65 6324 4246/ +65 63365176  
[email protected] / [email protected]

SOURCE Harris Interactive