Trace Data Research

  Imagine a young professional in Hanoi ordering a new pair of earbuds online. At checkout, she chooses “ Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL). Within seconds, interest-free instalments are approved—no credit card, no paperwork. That one click represents a quiet revolution transforming how Vietnam shops, saves, and spends. A Rising Tide: Vietnam’s Digital Backbone Vietnam’s BNPL boom is being powered by its digital economy. The country’s e-commerce market has seen rapid growth in recent years and is projected to more than double within just a few years. As smartphone adoption deepens and online retail becomes mainstream, convenient payment models like BNPL are thriving. Vietnam’s youth-heavy demographic, high internet penetration, and rising middle class all combine to create fertile ground for BNPL adoption. This payment option is not just about deferred payments—it’s about flexibility, convenience, and access, particularly for those who are underbanked or without credit cards. M...

  Pricing today is a strategic function that directly influences profitability, competitiveness, and brand equity. As markets become increasingly dynamic and customer expectations evolve, businesses must move beyond reactive or cost-based pricing and adopt data-driven frameworks that reflect true market realities. At TraceData Research, pricing is approached as a structured and evidence-based discipline. Our analysis goes beyond surface-level benchmarking, focusing instead on aligning pricing with perceived customer value, category dynamics, and competitor actions. We integrate advanced methodologies to evaluate price sensitivity, segment-specific willingness to pay, and market positioning, ensuring that our clients' pricing strategies are both defensible and growth-oriented. This analytical approach enables organizations to capture optimal value, reduce unnecessary discounting, and position themselves effectively in highly contested markets. Primary Elements of Pricing Anal...

  Client Background The client is a fast-growing direct-to-consumer (D2C) skincare brand known for its science-backed formulations and strong digital presence. After establishing a robust footprint across metropolitan markets through e-commerce and influencer-driven campaigns, the brand aimed to expand into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities to drive the next phase of growth. The objective was to achieve scale while maintaining cost efficiency and brand integrity across diverse geographies. Challenges They Faced While the brand had seen early success in urban markets, its go-to-market (GTM) strategy began to show signs of strain, the following are the key challenge they faced: ·        Digital saturation in metros led to escalating ad spend with diminishing returns. ·        Frequent product rollouts were losing effectiveness, with lower engagement and conversion in newer city launches. ·      ...

  Procurement teams need clarity and not just data. With input costs fluctuating, supply chains under stress, and ESG expectations rising, every sourcing decision carries more weight than it used to. However, many businesses are still making those decisions with limited context. This approach might work for short-term savings. It doesn’t work for long-term value. At TraceData, we use structured research models that help procurement teams see what’s coming, not just what’s already happened. These models are built to answer critical questions: ·        What should this product actually cost? ·        Which sourcing region makes sense for the next five years? ·        How exposed are we if this supplier defaults? Let’s look at key frameworks we use to turn complex procurement problems into confident decisions. Each one is designed to solve a specific challenge and together, they form t...