Market Research & Entry

Andy reveals why market research isn't just about whether products will sell—it's about understanding three critical dimensions before expansion. We explore product feasibility across different European regions (what sells in sunny California might flop in Manchester but thrive in southern France), compliance considerations that vary by country (some products legal in certain markets but restricted in others), and local sourcing opportunities that can eliminate shipping nightmares. Listeners learn which tools provide reliable European market data (Jungle Scout, Helium 10) and how to interpret that data correctly—distinguishing genuine market signals from poor execution by previous sellers. The episode covers calculating realistic returns based on current market share, identifying regional marketplace opportunities beyond Amazon, and validating product-market fit before committing significant inventory investment. This deep dive into market research saves listeners from costly mistakes whilst revealing opportunities competitors miss.

Simon shares his pragmatic approach to international market expansion, starting with Amazon's Pan-European programme to test multiple markets simultaneously before committing resources to individual country websites or operations.

Emma's biggest current project is cracking the USA, and it's been harder than she expected. She's candid about a daily-shifting tariff landscape, and the real blocker being brand recognition — throwing PPC at Amazon US listings didn't grow sales because Americans only buy once they know what the product is. There's useful colour on the market too: US parents will spend $200 a day on a kid's sport camp versus roughly £20 here. A grounded look at why a great product still stalls in a new market.

Robert discusses strategies for testing international markets before major investment, using shipping enablement as a market validation tool, and approaches for entering new geographic markets cost-effectively.

Learn Max's revolutionary approach to market research using AI tools like ChatGPT. Discover how to analyse thousands of competitor reviews in minutes to identify market gaps, customer pain points, and product opportunities that traditionally required weeks of manual research.