#Japan #Tokyo #CrossLocations #LocationData #BusinessAnalytics

Introduction

In a bold move to support businesses seeking to expand internationally, Cross Locations, a Tokyo-based company specializing in mobility data analytics, has recently launched a new service that provides overseas flow analysis based on global location data. This service aims to facilitate more informed business decisions when it comes to opening stores and improving operations in foreign markets. By harnessing real-world flow data, companies can make data-driven choices regarding marketing strategies and operational improvements.

Service Overview

The new service utilizes Cross Locations' proprietary Location AI Platform (LAP), integrating data from 4.2 billion smartphone devices worldwide. This vast data set, previously used for inbound tourist analysis and mobile advertisement targeting, is now being repurposed to support businesses looking to understand consumer behaviors in key cities across the US, Korea, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. The initial phase of the service will offer customized reports to businesses, transitioning to an embedded feature within LAP to allow seamless access to cross-sectional data analysis on user mobility and promotional effectiveness.

The Importance of Location Data

As the landscape of market analysis evolves, the importance of leveraging mobility and location data has surged. In regions like North America, understanding visitor behavior has become essential for development decisions in retail spaces, urban planning, and optimizing public transport systems. Companies are now recognizing that insights into where people are walking and lingering can significantly impact marketing, real estate evaluation, and investment strategies. Moreover, the rise of investors looking at companies handling flow data highlights the maturation of both technology and data supply chains in this area.

While that trend takes hold in Western markets, Asia is witnessing similar shifts. With increased population density and a rise in tourism demand, countries like South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan are embracing smart city initiatives and policy improvements anchored in flow data. These nations demonstrate how mobility data can influence both public and private sector decisions, guiding everything from commercial strategies to transportation reforms. For Japanese companies venturing overseas, aligning their strategies with accurate local consumer insights is becoming increasingly crucial.

Challenges Faced by Japanese Companies Abroad

Despite strong aspirations for overseas expansion, Japanese firms often struggle with grasping the dynamics of local consumer movements. There's a prevailing reliance on intuition or past experiences when it comes to making key decisions— from site selection for stores to promotional designs. Compounding this are cultural differences that can impact business operations, including adjusting working hours and establishing common KPIs with local subsidiaries. Organizations are now recognizing the need for systems that leverage continuous flow data to inform their decision-making processes.

Cross Locations' New Report Service

To address these challenges, Cross Locations has launched an overseas flow data report service that supports businesses with market entry, operations, and marketing optimization. Collaborating with various data aggregation partners worldwide, the company collects and analyzes localized flow data to provide businesses with insights into visitor trends, cross-visitation rates, and promotional effectiveness through accessible reports. The existing domestic service, Inbound Analytics+, helps monitor and analyze the behavior of foreign tourists visiting Japan and has laid the groundwork for responding to demands for similar insights in international markets.

Analytical metrics provided include Daily and Hourly Visitor counts, Trade Area insights, Cross-Visitation rates, and Visit Frequency. This empowers businesses, from site selection for new stores to determining promotional campaigns, allowing for data-backed decisions.

Future Developments and Pricing

This report service marks the first step in a broader initiative to enhance LAP with integrated functionalities and real-time analytics capabilities. Pricing for the reports will vary, with a basic report package starting around 2 million yen for comprehensive flow metrics across countries and cities. Additionally, customizable analysis options are available to cater to specific client needs, such as brand cross-visit analyses and marketing campaign evaluations.

Who Can Benefit?

Initially targeted at retail, food service, and logistics sectors, the applications for overseas flow data extend much further. Businesses ranging from manufacturing and consumer goods firms to real estate developers stand to gain valuable insights about consumer behaviors and touring patterns, assisting in market entry and channel development strategies. Furthermore, research and consulting giants can utilize this data for more accurate urban evaluations, enhancing their market strategy formulation based on real-world behaviors.

Municipalities and tourism sectors can also leverage pre-travel analytical insights to understand where international travelers are likely to frequent, thus optimizing their tourism strategies and marketing campaigns. The financial sector is poised to employ flow data to gauge market vitality and growth potential, providing an alternative basis for investment decisions.

Conclusion

Cross Locations is committed to establishing overseas flow data as a decision-making infrastructure that spans multiple industries. Through this new service, the company aims to empower businesses, governmental bodies, and investment firms alike, helping them harness the full potential of data-driven decision-making in an increasingly complex and globalized market.