Demographic shifts will swing towards Asia and those who are not tuned into the new digital economy and information era will be even more removed from affluent society than at any time in human history. All this will increase stress as well so for every problem look for many attempts at solutions. Consumers will become much more powerful and will stress better laws, stricter enforcement and environmental issues will be a priority. Another critical concern by consumers around the world will be for safe foods and products. Some say the social time bomb is ticking away as the number of poor people in Europe has actually grown in the 90 s. Unemployment rates are high.
Drug use is on the increase and with it the resulting growth in crime.
For every social, political and economic situation, good or bad, there is a profitable opportunity just waiting for the correct strategy. If we compare the features, benefits and advantages of our product or service and match the criteria to the consumer we can begin to focus on how to maximise the relationship. The future retail scene is one of intense competition. Long distance phone rates are also diving as use increases and the former nationalised monopolies become free market industries. Price is often not the main issue.