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Custom Media: The Right Partner Is Essential for Going D2C in Japan

By: Get News
Moving to a direct-to-consumer retail approach in the Japanese market can be daunting. Award-winning creative digital agency Custom Media outlines what to look for in an ideal partner.

Selling directly to customers opens a new world of possibilities for brands and allows them to take direct control of customer interactions. However, for companies dependent on traditional retail channels, the direct-to-consumer (D2C) approach is something they can’t control themselves. Custom Media recommends partnering with an agency on the ground to provide insight and add value to D2C efforts in Japan.

Custom Media is a strategic marketing and creative digital agency for companies seeking market entry in Japan. Its data-driven approach focuses on customer engagement to deliver targeted solutions, which is especially crucial in D2C marketing.

D2C e-commerce sales are expected to reach $175 billion by 2023 in the United States, and Custom Media CEO Robert Heldt believes Japan will see similar growth patterns. However, traditional distributors in Japan can’t give brands the visibility or detailed customer information they need to tailor their approach and achieve better sales. Decreased visibility means even well-established brands won’t reach as many customers, hurting their reputation in the long run.

By partnering with an integrated marketing agency in Japan, companies can confidently move to a D2C approach to connect with buyers in a way they know will work. 

 

Taking the Leap to D2C Marketing

Companies should conduct detailed competitor and market research in Japan to deepen their understanding and qualify assumptions. In addition, this research helps companies compare Japanese market trends with global trends to ensure their strategies are aligned for success. 

“Your partner agency in the market can be your eyes and ears to help you get a better sense of customer preferences, the best payment channels, and ideal user journeys, which can all be different than those overseas brands might be familiar with in other markets,” Heldt said.  

Brands must also choose what sales platform they’ll use. For example, popular e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Rakuten, and Yahoo! Shopping come with significant customer databases, or companies can use white label services such as Shopify, BASE, or Stores. With the platform selected, a marketing partner agency can localize and transcreate content, so it effectively communicates with Japanese buyers. This is essential, as consumers in the Japanese market have high expectations from brands. 

Keeping Customers Engaged

The next step is building and strengthening customer relationships. Companies must be thoughtful as they develop brand awareness on a D2C platform and bring prospective customers through the sales stages of awareness, consideration, acquisition, and loyalty. Press releases, blogs, and social media are vital to this effort — they can help reach new customers and create user journeys. 

A D2C approach helps brands understand the behavior of their customers in ways working with a traditional retailer or distributor never will. For example, companies can learn which products appeal to their customers, tie their social media presence to their e-commerce, get real-time insight into how sales and promotions perform, and tailor their offerings accordingly. 

A local partner can analyze and synthesize all data so businesses can adapt quickly to customer and market changes.

Conclusion

Shifting to a D2C approach can be complicated. Still, it can give companies a wealth of customer data and let them target consumers in a way traditional retail partners in Japan don’t. Custom Media has the experience and expertise to guide companies through a smooth D2C transition. 

Media Contact
Company Name: Custom Media
Contact Person: Robert Heldt
Email: Send Email
Country: Japan
Website: https://custom-media.com/

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