Digital integration during uncertain economic times

Businesses are again having to search for ways to secure their growth for 2016 and beyond, against a backdrop of sluggish and marginal economic growth in domestic demand – along with all the usual challenges of rising operating costs, diminishing customer loyalty, decreasing levels of differentiation and greater pressures to minimise selling prices.

To add to this, Malta’s consumption levels have been 21 per cent below the EU average over the last two years and continue to fall as a possible barometer of lower consumer confidence.

Global analysis confirms the increased preference consumers have for digital media and in particular social media marketing and by inference the potential this offers Maltese businesses to better position, differentiate and commercialise their businesses against larger and more resource-rich rivals, regardless of whether they are local or offshore.

Recently released data from a new survey conducted by Eurostat highlighted the importance of e-commerce, in particular to Maltese business, by revealing that over half the Maltese collective market (53 per cent) made at least one e-purchase during 2015. This figure is only marginally behind that of the EU...