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Are you taking advantage of the crisis to increase your share of the Hispanic market?

by Claudia Ahaviah Goffan

Are you taking advantage of the crisis to increase your share of the Hispanic market?

Hispanics are more resistant to recessions and economic crisis.  They have been exposed to them already.

In 1998 and 1999, the majority of Latin American countries suffered a severe economic recession that drove corporations into insolvency and forced many to close down. In some cases, whole countries bordered bankruptcy.  These recessions also caused the deterioration and sometimes the fall of the banking system and massive lay-offs that increased the existing unemployment levels and caused the further loss of purchasing power among large sectors of the population.

Perform an internet search on ”worst recession in Argentina” and you will get articles from 2001.  Not too long ago, right?

If we add the fact that most U.S. Hispanics are less prone to running large credit cards tabs, invest heavily in the stock market and more price conscious – another effect of going through recessions, high inflation-levels and high unemployment rates paired to the lack of available credit in most Latin American countries – makes them more resilient to these tough financial times.

Of course, this doesn’t mean all products or services will be equally appealing to the market.  We are not even considering segmentation.  But many companies have increased their Hispanic sales in 2008 and the first two-months of 2009. We are even seeing the two major Hispanic TV networks, Univision and Telemundo, challenged by a new one, Estrella TV.

In the U.S., one in four children under 10 years old is Hispanic.  Do you think it’s wise to market to them when they are young? And to their parents?  Personally, I believe that as crisis promote change, people tend to change products, brands, services.  Thus, developing an innovative Hispanic marketing and communication strategy that entices these consumers should be a smart move.  Yes, even with a limited marketing and advertising budget.

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Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day

brilliant quotes

Are you taking advantage of the crisis to increase your share of the Hispanic market?

by Claudia Ahaviah Goffan

Are you taking advantage of the crisis to increase your share of the Hispanic market?

Hispanics are more resistant to recessions and economic crisis.  They have been exposed to them already.

In 1998 and 1999, the majority of Latin American countries suffered a severe economic recession that drove corporations into insolvency and forced many to close down. In some cases, whole countries bordered bankruptcy.  These recessions also caused the deterioration and sometimes the fall of the banking system and massive lay-offs that increased the existing unemployment levels and caused the further loss of purchasing power among large sectors of the population.

Perform an internet search on ”worst recession in Argentina” and you will get articles from 2001.  Not too long ago, right?

If we add the fact that most U.S. Hispanics are less prone to running large credit cards tabs, invest heavily in the stock market and more price conscious – another effect of going through recessions, high inflation-levels and high unemployment rates paired to the lack of available credit in most Latin American countries – makes them more resilient to these tough financial times.

Of course, this doesn’t mean all products or services will be equally appealing to the market.  We are not even considering segmentation.  But many companies have increased their Hispanic sales in 2008 and the first two-months of 2009. We are even seeing the two major Hispanic TV networks, Univision and Telemundo, challenged by a new one, Estrella TV.

In the U.S., one in four children under 10 years old is Hispanic.  Do you think it’s wise to market to them when they are young? And to their parents?  Personally, I believe that as crisis promote change, people tend to change products, brands, services.  Thus, developing an innovative Hispanic marketing and communication strategy that entices these consumers should be a smart move.  Yes, even with a limited marketing and advertising budget.

What Everybody Ought to Know About the Latino Market
hispanic market forecast trends
New Hispanic Market Dog Food Launch: Beneful Healthy Fiesta
Arroz con leche. Comfort food Latin style. #youeatwithyoureyesfirst

Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day

brilliant quotes

How do current immigration issues “really” affect the U.S. Hispanic market?

by Claudia Goffan

Hispanic Immigration Issues

Hispanic Immigration Issues

We are all very aware of the current immigration issues. New legislation is being passed nationwide that restricts the undocumented immigrant from renting an apartment, obtaining a driver’s license or getting a job. Areas with high concentration of non-acculturated Hispanics also suffer from frequent ICE (ex-INS) raids.

This is a harsh reality to face for all of those who aspire for the “American Dream,” but don’t have the proper documentation. This group of immigrants can be divided into three subgroups. The first subgroup will permanently return to their country of origin, because of the current state of affairs. The second subgroup will return home, but might venture back to the U.S. when the political and economical climates become more hospitable. The final subgroup will remain in the U.S., but migrate to more lenient states.

The people that are returning to their countries of origin are deciding to stay there due to improved and stabilized economies, lower cost of living and the comfort of having family and friends near by.

The immigrants that are choosing to stay in the U.S. are moving to more tolerant states, such as Oregon, Alabama, North Carolina and Texas. In these states they are able to obtain a driver’s license and rent an apartment with their home-country documentation.

What does this mean to marketers in the U.S.?

It is very clear that the affected portion of the Hispanic market is the underserved and non-acculturated—approximately 12 million people that do not show up on the Census data.

This is bad news for companies that have only targeted the aforementioned group because their revenues are highly tied to a thinning market.

What’s the good news? The Hispanic market is not only composed of the underserved or non-acculturated. The rest of the market accounts for over 14% of the total US population (Source: Census Data 2000). This is the market that you will have to cater to now and in the years to come.

What can U.S. companies do?

  • Re-evaluate their target market: Focus on the more established Latino population.
  • Evaluate the feasibility of successfully offering the same product or service to the fully and semi acculturated segments of the Hispanic market.
  • If this is not possible, see about expanding the product line and develop a product that would appeal to these market segments.

2013 Immigration Update

These immigration issues I have forecasted became a reality. Of course, the economy going downhill had a strong impact on undocumented Latinos leaving the country as well. It’s difficult to still believe in the “American Dream” when the possibilities are slim. We hope there will be a solution soon for the people that remain.

Meanwhile, those marketers that realized the Hispanic market is not only composed of non-acculturated Hispanics continue to profit from this ever growing trillion dollar market.

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Two things define you, your patience when you having nothing & Your attitude when you have everything | #Great #Quotes

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