Trends
UNITED KINGDOM: Sizeable Islamic market neglected by global brands, argues Oxford branding expert
A leading expert on Islamic brands is highlighting the untapped potential in Islamic markets which most companies are failing to exploit. The global Muslim market is now over 20% of the world’s population at around 1.6 billion, and is expected to increase to 2.2 billion by 2030, situated in those regions where Muslims are in the majority, but also in other countries where Muslims are a significant and growing minority, including those in the West. The value of Muslim trade is assessed as worth trillions of dollars worldwide. “The Muslim market represents a significant untapped market,” says Dr. Paul Temporal, an Associate Fellow at Saïd Business School’s Executive Education Centre, University of Oxford.
Animal cruelty: New undercover video links major retailers to barbaric handling of pigs
The issue of animal cruelty has often been raised in the Halal industry (especially when it comes to talks of slaughter). But what's more important is also animal cruelty that occurs in handling of animals for human consumption. Animal handling is becoming a pressing problem in farming and livestock sector. The hottest issue that has been going around in the press is to do with Australian cattles being mistreated in Indonesian abattoirs, which led to Australia banning their export of live cattles and sheep for Halal slaughter. Recently, an undercover video shot by the advocacy group, Mercy for Animals (MFA), showed the allegedly brutal treatment of pigs in an Iowa farm...
Sizeable Islamic markets neglected by global brands, argues Oxford branding expert
A leading expert on Islamic brands is highlighting the untapped potential in Islamic markets which most companies are failing to exploit. The global Muslim market is now over 20 per cent of the world’s population at around 1.6 billion, and is expected to increase to 2.2 billion by 2030, situated in both those regions where Muslims are in the majority, but also in other countries where Muslims are a significant and growing minority, including those in the West. The value of Muslim trade is assessed as worth trillions of dollars worldwide.
U.S.A: Reducing Food Waste - Making the Most of Our Abundance
According to staggering new statistics from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), roughly one-third of the food produced worldwide for human consumption is lost or wasted, amounting to some 1.3 billion tons per year. In the developing world, over 40 percent of food losses occur after harvest-while being stored or transported, and during processing and packing. In industrialized countries, more than 40 percent of losses occur as a result of retailers and consumers discarding unwanted but often perfectly edible food. At a time when the land, water, and energy resources necessary to feed a global population of 6.9 billion are increasingly limited-and when at least 1 billion people remain chronically hungry-food losses mean a waste of those resources and a failure of our food system to meet the needs of the poor. The Worldwatch Institute's Nourishing the Planet project (www.NourishingthePlanet.org), a two-year evaluation of environmentally sustainable agricultural innovations to alleviate hunger, is highlighting ways to make the most of the food that is produced and to make more food available to those who need it most.
USA: The Growth of the Halal Market
More American companies are expanding into Muslim countries, and U.S. Halal consumers are looking for more meal options. With a population of eight to 10 million Muslims in the United States, plus more than one billion overseas, the Islamic market represents a vast, potentially lucrative market for any company involved in the food industry. The challenge, however, is in providing food that both tastes good and is appropriate for the target population.
What’s an “Islamic Brand?
Existing brands are taking a keen interest in the global Muslim consumer segment. It’s the new ‘growth opportunity’ for brands to capitalise on. Rightfully so, given the purchasing power and need for brands in this segment. So how can an existing brand establish itself to this segment? The brand owners can develop a strong brand based on the ethics and values important to this consumer. This is where the fundamental difference, in creating a brand for the Muslim community, vis-a-vis brand development for other consumer segments comes in.
An Islamic approach to ethical consumerism
As the Halal marketplace and industry matures, we are seeing more efforts to incorporate ethical values in Halal products. And as American Halal food consumers demand a deeper spiritual connection with their food and the processes by which they are produced, they have also demonstrated that they are willing to pay for them. Until recently, Halal foods were defined only by ritual slaughter and mass-market production. But today’s ethical consumer trends are making the industry take a second look at what Halal really means. Ask any number of Muslims about the meaning of Halal (when it comes to food) and you’re likely to get as many answers as there are cuisines. While the methods and conditions under which Halal meat was prepared were relatively uncontroversial or unchallenged a generation ago, increasing consumer awareness has resulted in a demand for greater transparency in standards and production...
EGYPT: Halal Hotels Cater to Muslim Tourists
In a bid to lure Muslim tourists, hotels across the Middle East are replacing traditional Western signs of luxury with others carrying Arab and Muslim touches. Tapping into a market that is largely untouched, several hotel chains are not designing entire hotels dedicated to lure Muslim guests by adhering to the Islamic rules. The new trend aims to cater to Arab travellers who spend more than USD12 billion annually on holiday travel. According to a study published by MiddleEast.com, about 88 percent of Arab travelers said they would like to stay in an Islamic hotel during their holiday travel. Now, hotel owners are replacing some traditional Westerns signs of luxury like bars and pubs with others carrying the Arab touch like cafes and restaurants serving only non-alcoholic beverages and Halal food.
Filed Under: Trends >> Muslim-friendly travel
PHILIPPINES: NCMF unites Halal players
Under the leadership of Secretary/CEO Bai Omera D. Dianalan Lucman, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), lead agency in Halal development, has started harmonizing and uniting other government players as it eyes a share of the US$1.2-trillion Muslim-inspired market.
Filed Under: Halal Development
Middle East: Strong growth in fragrances & cosmetics sector to continue
After a buoyant performance in the fragrance and cosmetic industry last year, experts are anticipating a promising 2011 as the region’s intense predilection for fragrances and cosmetics ensures a healthy outlook for the coming years. In the GCC alone, total sales are expected to exceed USD1.6 billion by year-end, USD500 million in colour cosmetics and USD1.13 billion in fragrance sales. According to Euromonitor International, by year-end 2014, the sector could increase by 15.1 per cent to reach annual sales of USD1.88 billion – USD578.5 million in cosmetics and USD1.3 billion in fragrances respectively.
Filed Under: Trends >> Branding & Marketing