Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. BUY Zimbabwe has partnered local research firm Topline Research Solutions (TRS) in an effort to tackle the growing challenge of counterfeit and smuggled goods flooding the market.
The initiative comes in response to a surge in new products that are disrupting established consumer habits and threatening the profitability of registered local companies.
Buy Zimbabwe said the collaboration with TRS was designed to help legitimate brands to safeguard their products from counterfeits.
The research will gather consumer perceptions and opinions on Zimbabwean brands from across the country, with the goal of providing data-driven insights to inform industry strategy.
“An interesting feature of this year’s research is the investigation into smuggled and counterfeit products, which are negatively impacting the bottom lines of registered companies,” the statement read.
“The study will seek to understand consumer experiences with counterfeits and smuggled goods and how bona fide brands can protect themselves.”
The research will also track consumer preferences across a wide range of sectors, including food and agriculture and services such as finance, telecommunications, healthcare and tourism.
Buy Zimbabwe chairperson Munyaradzi Hwengwere emphasised the need for evidence-based decision-making in an era of rapid technological change.
“We made a commitment as Buy Zimbabwe that in an age of artificial intelligence and digital transformation, we need to be data-driven and market-driven,” he said.
“Consequently, Buy Zimbabwe always begins each year with a policy forum.”
Topline Research Solutions chief executive Patson Gasura said the research would seek to establish how Zimbabweans defined a local brand before evaluating their preferences.
“From the work we do, the considerations of various consumers go beyond the traditional factors of price, packaging and distribution,” Gasura said.
The findings are expected to provide valuable intelligence on consumer trends and competitive dynamics, ultimately supporting the growth and resilience of local industries.
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