Know your target market before you invest in it
Market research for the DACH region and the Nordics
Market research is the first step of any successful market entry. We map the competition, price levels, sales channels and real demand – so that you can decide on the basis of numbers, not guesswork.
Why research first
The most expensive way to learn about a market is to fail in it
The typical market entry mistake is not a bad product. It is the right product at the wrong price, in the wrong channel or offered to the wrong buyer. The German market is large but fragmented: the same product sells at different prices in different federal states, and retail chains have their own listing processes and payment terms. The Nordic markets are smaller and more concentrated – a handful of chains or distributors can decide your success in an entire country.
Good market research is not an academic report. It is a decision document that lets you say yes or no – and if yes, at what price, through which channel and to whom first.
Five reasons to invest in market research first
- You understand the specifics of your target market before committing to costs
- You know what it takes to start selling in your industry there
- You get numbers and facts for your decision – not gut-feeling estimates
- You can adapt your offer to what local buyers expect
- You build your strategy on market data, not on hope
Content
What our market research answers
The standard structure covers six areas. We agree the emphasis based on what matters most for your decision.
| Area | Question answered | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| Market size | How big is demand, where is it heading and which segments are growing? | Volume and value estimates with sources, growth outlook |
| Competitors | Who dominates the market, at what price and with which arguments? | Competitor profiles, price points, positioning map |
| Sales channels | Does the product go direct, through an importer, an agent or online? | Channel comparison with margins and requirements |
| Pricing | What price does the product need so that every step of the chain earns money? | Pricing model from shelf price to ex-works price |
| Requirements | Which labelling, certificates and registrations are needed? | Requirements list with responsible bodies and timelines |
| Target list | Whom do we contact first? | Named list of companies, roles and contact details |
The study is delivered in English, German or Finnish – your choice.
Method
How the market research is done
Scoping
Together we define the questions the study must answer and narrow down the segments.
Desk research
Statistics, industry reports, company registers and competitors’ public material.
Field work
Insights from the market: our own experience and, where needed, conversations with distributors, buyers and industry experts in their language.
Analysis
The findings are condensed into a format that supports decisions – not an 80-page data dump.
Review
A presentation and discussion in which we agree a concrete next step.
When not to buy market research
If you already have customers in the target market and know your price level, don’t buy a market study. Put the money into lead generation or partner search instead. We say this even when it means a smaller invoice for us.
Questions
Frequently asked questions: market research
What does market research for Germany or the Nordics include?
The study is built from the topics that matter in your situation. Possible topics are market size and trends, the competitive landscape with price points, sales channels, specifics of buying behaviour, regulatory and product requirements, and a named list of potential customers or partners with contact persons.
We choose together what to include. If you already know your competitors but not the price level, the focus is on pricing – there is no point in researching everything at once.
How long does market research take and what does it cost?
Typical lead time is 4–8 weeks. A focused study covering one product group and one channel is quicker; one covering several segments, the whole DACH region or several Nordic countries takes longer.
The price depends on the scope and is agreed as a fixed project fee before we start. You receive a written proposal listing the deliverables – you are not buying a bank of hours.
Do you only use public sources?
No. Public statistics and industry reports are the starting point, but alongside them we use our own experience of the market – what we have seen in years of consulting work and what doesn’t appear in any statistic. Where needed, we also talk to distributors, buyers or industry experts in their own language and check competitors’ price lists on the shelf or at trade fairs.
The report always states which information is based on statistics and which on experience.
In which language will we receive the market research?
We deliver the analysis in English, German or Finnish – you choose.
Can the results be used in a funding application?
Yes, and that is often exactly how it is used. We structure the report so that market potential, competitive advantage and a proposed action plan with timeline are clearly separated – exactly the points funding bodies ask about. Sources can be verified.
Related services
These work well together
B2B Lead Generation
We identify the right decision-makers, reach out in their language and report who is interested and who isn’t. You focus on selling.
Partner & Supplier Search
We find, assess and approach distributors, importers, agents or suppliers – and support you in the negotiations.
Trade Fair Services
Choosing the right fair, pre-booked meetings, native-language sales work on the stand and systematic follow-up.
Get in touch
Let’s start the conversation
Tell us where you want to grow – the DACH region or the Nordics – and we’ll work out the most sensible first step together. The first conversation is free and without obligation.