Market research in Asia – our capabilities.

From Singapore to Shanghai, Medan to Manila, we are the go-to partner for market research in Asia

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We help brands conduct market research in Asia, setting them up for success in the region. We can work with businesses as a fieldwork partner, helping them to reach the right respondents across key Asian markets. We also conduct full-service market research projects that allow brands within Asia and regional entities to deepen their understanding of consumers, launch standout products and develop effective marketing campaigns.

Kadence is one of the most highly regarded market research companies in Asia. We’ve had an established presence across the region for more than 15 years and have partnered with brands on a range of challenges. We’ve helped Dentsu Aegis understand the priorities of marketers across Asia. We’ve partnered with Bloomberg to deepen their understanding of the impact COVID-19 has had on business decision makers across the region. And we’ve helped local brand, GoBear, understand attitudes and behaviours with regards to personal finance in key Asian markets.

We have offices in 8 countries across Asia, meaning we’re perfectly placed to support on Asia Pacific market research projects. We have the coverage to tackle fieldwork-heavy studies in multiple markets. But we’re also agile and collaborative in our operations, ensuring you will get both breadth and depth of insights for pan-Asian market research.

8

location-1 Asian countries

60+

languages Languages

15+

favorite Years of Asian experience

30+

global Years of global experience

9

cup Award nominations and wins in the past 2 years

900+

project Projects globally each year

1,000+

green-user-27x27 Employees globally

As one of the leading market research companies in Asia, we partner with clients on strategic challenges

Our most recent work has seen us answer questions such as:

  • How do I ensure that the product or service I want to launch within Asia meets the unique needs of each market?
  • How do I refine campaigns or tweak concepts to ensure that they appeal to each market on a ‘universal’ level, but still have enough local nuance that makes them relevant and relatable?
  • How do I ascertain the target market for my product or service, given how diverse the markets in Asia are in terms of demographics, economic development, culture and values?

FAQs

How diverse is Asia Pacific culturally?

The short answer is that Asia is incredibly rich and nuanced from a cultural standpoint: the multitude of religious beliefs, histories, languages, and other cultural markers means that each market is more different than similar. This can make Asia Pacific market research challenging without the right partner to help you understand the intricacies of each country. That said, though, the ‘urban Asia’ experience is similar to some extent, and popular culture does form the basis to link up a couple of the Asian markets, so there can be ways to seek out common threads amidst the vibrancy of difference.

Do I need to do all my market research in Asia in local / vernacular languages?

As a rule yes. By conducting research in the local language, consumers will have the capability and confidence to express their thoughts and feelings toward the brands, products or services in question. Unlike some market research agencies in Asia, Kadence has a range of languages in-house thanks to our network of Asian offices, so local language moderation is a service we can provide. That said, it is possible to carry out research in English in some markets (e.g. Singapore, India, Philippines), depending on the subject matter and education level of the respondents you want to reach.

For large Asian markets like China and India, how many cities do we need to cover with our research?

We recommend at least a combination of 1st tier and 2nd tier cities, as well as 3rd tier and rural locations, if possible. On top of getting a read on geographic and demographic differences in the reactions to your products and services, lifestyle / intra-market attitudinal variations exist, so the wider you are able to carry out your research, the more comprehensive your resulting understanding of the market will be.

Are there certain research approaches or methodologies that work better in one Asian market, compared to another?

Yes. Cultural differences between Asian markets mean that you need to carefully consider your methodology. For instance, we find that in-depth interviews, rather than group-based discussions, can work better for some topics in markets like Japan, where there can be a tendency to ‘self-censor’. In contrast, the one-on-one format lends itself better to building trust and establishing bonds between interviewer and respondent, often leading to more productive conversations. 

You’ll also need to consider the technological infrastructure of the markets you’re researching. In India, for instance, you’ll need to take a mobile first approach for reaching those outside metros and tier 1 cities. This is also true of mobile-first markets like Indonesia and China. Whilst cultural considerations can be diverse and numerous, we’re on hand to help, based on our long history of conducting market research in Asia.

Does the sequence of which markets I do my research first in Asia matter?

Unless there are specific roll-out plans that have strategic importance for your product or service across markets, our experience has taught us that any order comes back down to organizational preference. Your internal stakeholders may want to start the research in a market that is a stronghold for the brand to establish ground understanding, then venture into unfamiliar grounds to gather ‘new news’, or vice versa. Ultimately, Kadence is flexible in terms of how / when / where to start a piece of research, and in the absence of real preference, is willing to provide our suggestions and justifications for any arrangements.

FAQs

How diverse is Asia Pacific culturally?
The short answer is that Asia is incredibly rich and nuanced from a cultural standpoint: the multitude of religious beliefs, histories, languages, and other cultural markers means that each market is more different than similar. This can make Asia Pacific market research challenging without the right partner to help you understand the intricacies of each country. That said, though, the ‘urban Asia’ experience is similar to some extent, and popular culture does form the basis to link up a couple of the Asian markets, so there can be ways to seek out common threads amidst the vibrancy of difference.
Do I need to do all my market research in Asia in local / vernacular languages?

As a rule yes. By conducting research in the local language, consumers will have the capability and confidence to express their thoughts and feelings toward the brands, products or services in question. Unlike some market research agencies in Asia, Kadence has a range of languages in-house thanks to our network of Asian offices, so local language moderation is a service we can provide. That said, it is possible to carry out research in English in some markets (e.g. Singapore, India, Philippines), depending on the subject matter and education level of the respondents you want to reach.

For large Asian markets like China and India, how many cities do we need to cover with our research?
We recommend at least a combination of 1st tier and 2nd tier cities, as well as 3<sup>rd</sup> tier and rural locations, if possible. On top of getting a read on geographic and demographic differences in the reactions to your products and services, lifestyle / intra-market attitudinal variations exist, so the wider you are able to carry out your research, the more comprehensive your resulting understanding of the market will be.
Are there certain research approaches or methodologies that work better in one Asian market, compared to another?
Yes. Cultural differences between Asian markets mean that you need to carefully consider your methodology. For instance, we find that in-depth interviews, rather than group-based discussions, can work better for some topics in markets like Japan, where there can be a tendency to ‘self-censor’. In contrast, the one-on-one format lends itself better to building trust and establishing bonds between interviewer and respondent, often leading to more productive conversations.
 
You’ll also need to consider the technological infrastructure of the markets you’re researching. In India, for instance, you’ll need to take a mobile first approach for reaching those outside metros and tier 1 cities. This is also true of mobile-first markets like Indonesia and China. Whilst cultural considerations can be diverse and numerous, we’re on hand to help, based on our long history of conducting market research in Asia.
Does the sequence of which markets I do my research first in Asia matter?
Unless there are specific roll-out plans that have strategic importance for your product or service across markets, our experience has taught us that any order comes back down to organizational preference. Your internal stakeholders may want to start the research in a market that is a stronghold for the brand to establish ground understanding, then venture into unfamiliar grounds to gather ‘new news’, or vice versa. Ultimately, Kadence is flexible in terms of how / when / where to start a piece of research, and in the absence of real preference, is willing to provide our suggestions and justifications for any arrangements.

Our Customers

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Bloomberg
Unilever
Samsung
Panasonic
Mitsubishi
Mars
Arla
Discovery Channel
GoBear

Sectors we serve

With over 30 years in the business of market research, we have extensive experience and a depth of knowledge across a range of sectors.

We bring this to bear to design the very best approach to meet your objectives.

Your Premier Market Research Agency

In today’s data-driven world, market research is the cornerstone of informed business decisions. As a leading market research agency, Kadence delivers tailored solutions that empower businesses to grow and thrive in competitive landscapes.

Why Choose Kadence for Market Research?

Global Reach with Local Expertise

Kadence is a market research agency that bridges the gap between international scope and local insights. Our global teams understand regional trends and consumer behaviour & consumer data, providing precise, actionable data and market insights that resonates locally and globally.

Customised Solutions

At Kadence, we recognise the unique challenges each business faces. As a dedicated market research agency, we customise our services to align with your specific project goals—whether it’s understanding consumer behaviour, analysing competitors, or assessing market potential.

  • Customer and Market Understanding
    We connect businesses with their customers and provide insights into the broader market to future-proof strategies.
  • New Product Development Research
    We collaborate with brands to create successful products, guiding them from concept development to pricing strategies.
  • Brand and Advertising Research
    We help brands craft impactful communications by identifying messages that truly resonate with their target audience.
  • Online and Offline Fieldwork Services
    As a trusted fieldwork partner, we deliver reliable data to top-tier organisations for informed decision-making.
  • Insight Activation
    We go beyond traditional debriefs, facilitating workshops and producing creative outputs to maximise the impact of research and turn insights into action.
Innovative Methodologies

Kadence employs cutting-edge methods to deliver results. Our market research agency uses qualitative interviews, quantitative surveys, and advanced analytics powered by AI to ensure accurate, timely, and comprehensive insights.

Driving Success with Market Research

As a trusted market research agency, Kadence helps businesses achieve success through:

  • Detailed Consumer Profiles: Gain a deeper understanding of your target audience to craft strategies that resonate.
  • Competitor Analysis: Identify opportunities and fine-tune your approach to stay ahead.
  • Product Testing: Validate your products against consumer expectations through robust testing.

Partner with Kadence for Market Research

Kadence is not just another market research agency—we are your partner in achieving business excellence. With a commitment to innovation, transparency, and delivering high-quality insights and research services, Kadence ensures you stay ahead of market trends. Contact us today and let our expertise fuel your next strategic move.

What is Market Research?

Market research is the systematic process of gathering, analysing, and interpreting information about markets, competitors, and customer behaviours. As the foundation of strategic business planning, market research enables businesses to anticipate customer needs, identify trends, and seize opportunities. With comprehensive qualitative and quantitative approaches, a trusted market research agency like Kadence transforms raw data into actionable insights, helping businesses create impactful products, refine marketing strategies, and drive sustainable growth.

Advertising
Advertising
Agriculture
Agriculture
Animal health
Animal health
Automotive
Automotive
B2B
B2B
Consumer goods
Consumer goods
Ecommerce
Ecommerce
Financial services
Financial services
Food and beverage
Food and beverage
Kids and youth
Kids and youth
Media
Media
Technology
Technology
Telecommunications
Telecommunications
Free guide

How to conduct online market research in Asia: The Go-To Guide

What online methodologies work best in India? How do you get the most out of respondents through digital methodologies in China? Experts across our global boutique share best practice tips and techniques for conducting online market research in Asia.

Download the report now
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