Consumer Goods & Retail
Altai Consulting operates in markets benefiting from the development of a growing urban middle class of consumers, targeting sectors such as agri-businesses, manufacturing, retail & distribution and consumer goods. We support local and international players to help them better understand the needs of this emerging consumer base and design expansion strategies through partnerships, acquisition, etc.
Design a Distribution Strategy for a Leading International Consumer Goods Brand in East Africa
Altai Consulting was commissioned by a leading international consumer goods brand to design a new distribution strategy to enhance its market penetration in East Africa. The strategy consisted in further structuring and controlling local operations which were largely managed by (informal) individual traders by establishing new distribution partnerships. Altai’s work helped develop a better understanding of consumer needs and trade structure by analysing ways of doing business and related pricing value chains.
Development of a Strategy and Business Plans for a Mall and a Retail Chain
Altai Consulting has supported a large investor considering entering the commercial property (malls) market and launching a retail chain in RDC. The analysis included an assessment of the potential of the retail sector in Kinshasa from a demand perspective as well as a review of current actors and collection of insights on future entrants. Altai formulated recommendations by providing detailed opportunities (format, positioning) and business cases for retail outlet(s), a mall and a movie theatre.
Mapping of the Retail Sector in Côte d’Ivoire
Altai Consulting has supported a regional investor considering entering the commercial property (malls) market and launching a retail chain in West and in Central Africa. The assignment consisted in collecting detailed information on the sector’s dynamics, identifying the largest and most successful players in Côte d’Ivoire, mapping the value chains and formulating a strategy substantiated by business plans.
Identification of Investment Opportunities in the Hospitality Sector
Altai Consulting supported a leading player in the hospitality sector, specialised in providing catering and hotel services for industry companies in remote sites around the world, to identify potential investment opportunities in the secured international airport zone of the Capital City of Somalia, Mogadishu. Altai conducted a detailed mapping of the current offer as well as a quantitative and qualitative assessment of hospitality service needs with a view to identify potential investment opportunities and possible market positioning based on its client’s value-adding service proposition.
Market-entry Strategy in the Commercial Property Sector in the Horn of Africa
Altai Consulting has been contracted by a large US-based investor wishing to enter the commercial property market in the Horn of Africa in a context of increasing US and international civil and military presence in the country. The job consisted in conducting a supply-demand analysis looking at the forecasted demand for office space and shopping areas for the next 5 to 10 years based on in-depth interviews with key stakeholders and investors regionally. The deliverables allowed to define a clear strategy, leveraging the massive opportunities ahead in the region while designing mitigation mechanisms to take into account political instability and potential over-supply due to development projects going on or planned in the near future.
Wheat Flour and Edible Oil Industry Assessments
GAIN has commissioned Altai Consulting to conduct a market study on wheat (flour) and edible oil. The study focuses on Afghanistan, the main beneficiary of the Fortification Programme, as well as Kazakhstan and Pakistan, the main producers and exporters of wheat (flour) and edible oil to Afghanistan. The objective of this research is to provide recommendations and develop an action plan to support GAIN’s effort to improve access to fortified flour in Afghanistan while offering local companies in Pakistan and Kazakhstan opportunities to improve their market positioning by offering higher value-added products through fortification.
Market-entry for a Global Retail Chain in Kenya
Altai has supported a global retail chain considering entering the Kenyan market. The assignment included a market sizing by catchment areas, in-depth consumer understanding, geo-marketing, etc. in order to identify areas in Nairobi that should be considered as priorities. Altai Consulting formulated detailed recommendations on location(s) where first store openings should be considered based on a granular market sizing at the household level.
Milk and Cream Market Analysis in North Africa
Altai Consulting conducted market research for a leading player in the dairy sector in North Africa to design successful penetration and expansion strategies on these markets. The work followed a holistic approach covering various aspects such as marketing, promotion, distribution, and competition analysis.
Market-entry Strategy for a US-based Cosmetic Player in the Middle East
Altai Consulting has conducted a market-entry assignment to prepare the ground for a US-based cosmetic player. The engagement implied thorough field research with interviews of consumers, retailers, wholesalers and importers all along the value chain to assess the size of the market and identify where the opportunities lie. The scope also implied an assessment of distribution channels to best grasp the opportunity.
Analysis of the Cotton Manufacturing Sector
Pakistan is the second largest exporter of cotton in the world. For a leading European finance institution, Altai Consulting has conducted a comprehensive review of the cotton manufacturing sector in Pakistan with a view to assess its current status and prospects over time. The work included field research in Pakistan among different actors in the value chain to identify their positioning and quantify the value they capture, as well as deep diving into the overall market dynamics of the sector. The outputs of the project consisted of a set of recommendations substantiated by quantitative analyses and market scenarios based on a set of hypotheses.