Business Methods

Price Assessment of Retail Real Estate

August 23, 2017

A study for a mall operator interested in assessing the supply and demand for retail real estate across the main shopping malls and shopping souks. On the supply front, the client wanted to investigate the rental rates charged, rent evolution, the facilities and services provided, footfall, and the leasing terms. On the demand front, they want to assess the preferences of retailers with regards to the retail mix, outlet sizes, facilities / services provided, and any issues which they considered problematic at their current location. Methodology: interviews with 58 retailers. The study covered outlets across a variety of categories. The findings helped management re-assess their leasing strategy and retail mix.
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Assessment of Retail Real Estate

March 8, 2017

A study for a large real estate company to assess leasing pricing strategy for Saifi Village, Beirut Souks, and the Foch / Allenby area. The project entailed to provide an overview of malls considered to be competition including retail mix, units sizes, foot fall among other pertinent issues. Identify the rental rates for retail real estate in competitive malls. Identify the rental rates of street front outlets located in Foch/Allenby, Park Avenue, and Saifi neighborhood. Gather and validate relevant data. Methodology: Desk research, Mapping outlets at competitive malls, In-depth Interviews with mall developers, and In-depth Interviews with retailers.
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InfoPro Salary Scale Omnibus

June 2, 2016

A Salary Scale Omnibus devised by InfoPro to assess salaries, benefits, allowances, and working conditions provided by companies in Lebanon across a large number of sectors.
InfoPro followed a multi-faceted methodology: Determine comparators across each sector, preparing a matching template containing job titles, job descriptions, in-depth interviews with selected entities. Cash and non-cash benefits are mapped separately.
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Advertisement Tracker Study

April 5, 2016

Pre and post advertisement study. Each wave measured awareness and perception, benchmarked versus competitors, and progress tracking on a quarterly basis. The study covered the areas surrounding branches.

Survey Assessing Bank Customers Interaction Channels

November 25, 2015

Assess bank customers’ interaction channels and customers’ expectations. Evaluation of changes in customers’ lifestyles and handling of financial transactions, and their disposition to adopting e-banking services. Methodology: face-to-face quantitative surveys with individuals, professionals, and micro, small, and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs). Assessment of demographic and psychographic profiles, banking habits, interaction points used, satisfaction levels. The survey investigated the products / services that customers have and their interest in adopting new ones. The findings of the surveys assisted the bank in developing a five-year strategy.
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Italian Trade Commission: Market Assessment of the Agri-Food Sector in Lebanon and Cyprus

November 13, 2015

A study for the Italian Trade Commission to formulate a general overview of the agri-food (food and beverage) sector including major players and their distribution system. Identify opportunities for further growth and highlight the position of Italian food products in the Lebanese and Cypriot markets. Methodology: Desk research and in-depth interviews with experts and local companies in both countries. A total 50 in-depth interviews with stakeholders in the agri-food sector, importers of foodstuff, and supermarkets in both Lebanon and Cyprus. The interviews helped identify the main Italian products on the market, their strengths and weaknesses, and suggestions to improve their positioning. The interviews with large supermarket chains also captured consumers’ eating habits and trends in the agri-food sector.
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BankTrak

September 3, 2015

A syndicated yearly retail-banking study and database. A nationwide sample of 5,000 households to banks identify their regional strengths and weaknesses in comparison to the competition, assess the performance of their products and services, identify product development potential, the strength of their communication and how there are perceived by the general population. BankTrak also helps clients assess their brand health and specific issues to improve.
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Brand Traker

May 7, 2015

A syndicated four waves per year survey monitoring the performance of banks on Brand Usage and Attitude, Advertising campaign and slogan recall and impact, Brand image and perception, Client satisfaction, Loyalty, and switching intention.
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Bank Area Analysis

April 22, 2015

Area analysis to assess the commercial viability of a bank branch in Metn. Methodology: Desk Research, Ground Scanning, Traffic Flow Analysis, and In-depth interviews with area real estate brokers.Read more

Outlet Relocation Assessment

January 1, 2015

Study an underperforming location of a retail specialty network. Market demand conditions in the sector in the outlets’ catchment area. Methodology: Consumer demand survey with affluent individuals residing in the outlets’ catchment area. Measure the key image variables for loyalty and regular visitation. Identify the perception of the outlet in comparison to its competitive universe and pinpoint brand strengths and weaknesses.
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Market Assessment of Student Housing

January 2, 2014

A study for a client interested in developing a student housing project in the Administrative Beirut area and wanted to assess supply and demand of student housing across both university dormitories and furnished apartments. Methodology: Desk research, in-depth interviews with the owners of furnished apartments, and in-depth interviews with university officials responsible for dormitories in the Administrative Beirut area. The interviews helped identify the specifications of available supply, rental rates, marketing efforts undertaken, occupancy rates, supply and demand trends in the market, in addition to other pertinent information. This enabled the client to reach conclusions as to the feasibility of the project and the specifications of the furnished apartments most in demand.
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Market Study for a Consumer Electronics Retailer

January 10, 2012

A study for a large retailer of consumer electronics to assess the feasibility of an international brand of electronics store opening in a large retail center, and to gain in-depth information on the consumer media and electronics market across six product categories. Methodology: quantitative survey across the potential catchment area of 2,400 household interviews. Assessed individuals shopping behavior and patterns, consumer spending habits across the various product categories, as well as household income and its disposable income component.
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Usage and Attitude Survey of Petrol Stations

January 1, 2012

Brand image and positioning study for a network of gas stations. Understand current market position and the consumer behavior. Methodology: large sample household survey. The survey helped identify awareness level and perception of petrol stations in general and the client in specific. It estimated the market share of the various petrol stations, the process utilized by consumers in selecting a gas station to deal with, and other pertinent issues.
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Developing Information and Communications Technology Core Indicators

September 12, 2011

A study for National ICT Strategy Coordination Office (Prime Minister’s office), OMSAR and UNDP to developed a National ICT Strategy that aims to “Establish Lebanon as the main hub for e-services, creativity and innovation, telecom and internet services”. To support the implementation of this initiative, the Lebanese Presidency of the Council of Ministers established the in July 2010, as the body responsible for designing and managing the implementation mechanism for the National ICT Strategy. One of the priority projects of The National ICT Strategy Coordination Office was the collection of ICT statistics recognized internationally and used to place Lebanon in the various international indexes. Methodology: Survey with 2,000 households and 500 enterprises nationwide. Assess telephone, computer, and internet penetration of households and businesses, and Internet activities. Official core indicators were developed.
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Retail Real Estate Market Study

June 21, 2011

A study for an international client planning to develop a large mall in a suburb of Beirut. The client wished to gain in-depth information on the market supply and demand of retail real estate in Administrative Beirut and Mount Lebanon. In order to reach the client’s objectives, Methodology: Desk research, face-to-face interviews with consumers residing in the catchment area under study, and conducting in-depth interviews with retailers, retail real estate developers, and real estate brokers. Identified the population distribution and growth in the catchment area under study. Identified the shopping patterns of consumers and also their retail expenditure which in combination with the desk research. Forecast the retail expenditure of the entire catchment area. Insights such as preferences of amenities and services to be provided by malls, the optimal outlet size for their retail category, preferred neighboring outlets which allowed the client to decide on the optimal retail mix. Identify the price paid per square meter in malls and in street front outlets which allow the client to devise their price strategy.
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Relief International: ICT Business Sector in Rural Areas

May 26, 2011

Study for Relief International to assess the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) business sector in rural areas. Explore demand and supply for ICT techniques and services and the role of microcredit in supporting and boosting the sector. The study offered guidelines to develop microloan products targeting ICT businesses, small businesses and ICT graduates in rural areas. Methodology: Desk research identified vocational training centers which have ICT specialization and identified small businesses and small ICT businesses in the areas under study. Field survey with 352 graduates and senior students selected from 114 IT academies, vocational training centers, Cisco networking academies, and Microsoft certification centers to identify the types of certifications that they have and whether they intend to open businesses, financing sources and budgets that they would require, and the types of collateral that they have and that would help them finance their ICT needs. In-depth interviews with the owners of small businesses to identify recruitment needs for ICT personnel and lacking skills.
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Satisfaction Survey of Beneficiaries of the Institut des Finances Basil Fuleihan (IoF)

September 1, 2010

A study for IoF under the Transparency and Accountability Grant (AMIDEAST). Assess the effectiveness of IoF activities and its services including trainings, publications, and library services. Methodology: 1,500 CATI interviews and 21 in-depth interviews.
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Mystery Shopping for a Bank

August 30, 2010

A study for a large bank to evaluate branch appearance and measure staff performance, and benchmark progress over time. Evaluation of external and internal site, staff appearance, waiting time, personnel performance and attitude, customer care assessment, communication skills, product knowledge, and cross-selling skills. Evaluation of the call centers and telephone operators at all branches. provided the bank with the strengths and weaknesses of each branch understudy and allowed the client to track the progress and regression of their performance over time. Methodology: face-to-face interviews with the bank’s customer service personnel or front desk clerks and telephone mystery shopper interviews which were conducted with the call center and the telesales operators of all branches. More than 40 branches were visited twice each and contacted once per wave.
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Retail, Hospitality, Office, and Real Estate Assessment

June 24, 2010

A study for an international commercial developer involved in a joint venture to develop a mixed-use project in a suburb of Beirut. The client in developing the proposed site wanted to assess the feasibility of the project and the various real estate segments under consideration: office, residential, leisure, hospitality, and retail. In order to assess the optimal mix for the location, InfoPro carried-out a supply and demand analysis. The aim of analysis was to provide an economic overview of Lebanon and the Greater Beirut area, the competition level across the various segments under study, the success / failings of the competition, demand drivers and generators, preferred features and facilities, in addition to new and potential development projects currently under construction. Methodology: Interviews with real estate developers, brokers, and experts. Provided an overview of the supply and demand in Greater Beirut specifically for high-end projects. Assessment of street front shopping hubs and malls including performance data by category, tourist data gathered through desk research and interviews with tour operators in order to evaluate demand across various hotel categories. InfoPro also assessed their perception of impact of future supply on hotel ARR, RevPAR, and occupancy. The market assessment of the segments under study allowed the client to assess the most optimal mix to be included in location.
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LTA: Administrative Corruption

June 21, 2010

A study for the Lebanese Transparency Association. Survey of 700 companies to address corruption in the public sector. Identification of private sectors view of corruption, Perception of the legal system, Challenges in procurement with private and public sector entities, Evaluate the effect of bureaucracy and state intervention in the firm, Perception of the private sector of their influence on lobbying.
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IT Company Valuation

March 3, 2010

A company specialized in providing professional services and software solutions to the telecom sector, commissioned InfoPro to design a business plan that enables its five-year expansion strategy. The business plan included a strategy to acquire new potential customers in existing markets and enter new markets, expansion of human resource assets to meet the needs of to their actual, up-coming projects and opportunities, and a comprehensive feasibility study. Methodology: Desk review and face-to-face interviews with staff members and other market players.

Entertainment Center Feasibility Study

September 16, 2009

The client was planning to introduce a new entertainment center targeting children and adolescents in a prominent mall. The main objective of the study was to assess the feasibility, receptiveness and potential market demand for of such a concept. Methodology: Intercept interviews with individuals with children and a financial feasibility plan across alternative scenarios.

UNDP: Business Plan for a Job Creation Center

August 4, 2009

The UNDP and the Hariri Foundation for Sustainable Human Development (HF) were planning to create a Job Creation Center in Beirut. InfoPro’s mission was to conduct a business plan for the establishment and sustainability of the Job Creation Center that includes a market assessment, a feasibility study, and an implementation plan. Methodology: In-depth interviews were conducted with the UNDP / Hariri Foundation team and recruitment agencies in the Greater Beirut area. A survey was also conducted with youth in search of employment.Read more

Salary Scale for UNDP

March 31, 2009

A study for UNDP to implement a new salary scale. Assess the Service Contract (SC) modality which is used to hire individuals for activities which are not part of the central functions of the work program. Comparisons made with bilateral and NGO communities.

Methodology: Draw list of comparable employers, assess the effect of education and years of experience on salary variation for each job position. Data on working hours, annual leaves, and additional allowances and benefits (cash and non-cash) were also gathered. Mapping all cash and non-cash benefits provided by employers and quantified all allowances and benefits. Employer interviews. Define salary scales that fall within 50th percentile.
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Staff performance for a Medium Sized Bank

March 18, 2009

The main objective of the study was to evaluate the bank’s branch appearance and performance of staff members. The bank’s staff were evaluated through scenario simulations to assess their knowledge of the various products and services offered. Methodology: Data collection was based on face-to-face and telephone mystery shopper interviews with the customer service officers, sales agents, and telesales personnel. Four mystery shopper waves were conducted on a quarterly basis over a period of one year.

Category: Business Methods