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Uncertainty and the new consumer

Frank Shaw (Frank Shaw is Chairman of the UK Futurists Network, and Director General of The Centre for Future Studies, Stelling Minnis, Canterbury, Kent CT4 6AQ, UK. E‐mail: frank@futurestudies.co.uk)

Foresight

ISSN: 1463-6689

Article publication date: 1 December 2002

2569

Abstract

In the aftermath of 11 September, the future is more uncertain than ever. This article considers some of the factors contributing to this uncertainty which business planning for the future needs to take into account. These include the emergence of a new breed of consumer who are influencing a spectrum of business and economic decisions and transforming a variety of societal precepts. New consumers, more educated, affluent and well informed, are creating a more diverse and fragmented society in which traditional mass‐market communications strategies will be ineffective. Technological innovation, too, is adding to the uncertainty and forcing businesses to reinvent themselves. Those that are unable to adapt will become extinct.

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Citation

Shaw, F. (2002), "Uncertainty and the new consumer", Foresight, Vol. 4 No. 6, pp. 4-13. https://doi.org/10.1108/14636680210453443

Publisher

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MCB UP Ltd

Copyright © 2002, MCB UP Limited

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