Consumers name their favourite brands
Acer, Samsung, MTN and Nokia are the most recognised technology brands, according to the new Ask Afrika Icon Brands announced yesterday. MTN and Nokia made it into the top echelons of brand awareness and customer loyalty by being awarded as Icon Brands. MTN also won the telecommunications product category, with Nokia winning the cell phone brand category. Samsung was named as the leader in the tablet category, and Acer as the leader in PCs and laptops. The Ask Afrika Icon Brand Awards celebrate South Africa’s most loved brands.
SA consumers happy with their cell phones
South Africans appear to be very satisfied with their mobile handsets, according to the latest South African Customer Satisfaction Index. More than 2 105 consumers were included in an independent survey which gave the brands an overall score of 77.2 out of 100. The data was collected between March and May 2015. Apple, Nokia and Samsung set the benchmark with scores of 82.7, 78.9 and 78.8 respectively, with Nokia and Samsung’s scores very close to one another. Blackberry scored below par at 70.6, despite improving its scores since last year.
SA consumers live it up with debt
The latest information on consumers’ credit behaviour, released by credit bureau Compuscan, reveals that many a South African consumer is struggling to keep up financially with the lifestyle that they are buying into. In many cases, there has been a quarter-on-quarter increase in the number of accounts with adverse enforcement status codes (which indicate that accounts have been handed over, assets have been repossessed, accounts have been written off or facilities/ credit cards have been revoked as a result of non-payment).
South African consumers want connectivity
Ericsson’s ConsumerLab has published the report Internet Goes Mobile, which is focused on consumer expectations and needs with respect to mobile broadband services in South Africa. The study, which represents 25-million people living in urban areas of the country, confirms the growing demand for a connected lifestyle among consumers, as well as their desire to stay engaged online.