Status of Database Marketing in the Dutch Fast Moving Consumer Goods Industry

Brand manufacturers in the fast moving consumer goods industry are under pressure. Due to increased retailer concentration, access to scanner technology, eroding brand loyalty, an increasing number of price promotions and increasing market share of private labels, power is more and more shifting towards retailers. DBM can be an alternative for brand manufacturers in building brands and gaining more knowledge about the customer. In this paper data of 91 Dutch brand manufacturers are used to find the factors that influence the adoption of database marketing (DBM). A distinction between tactical DBM and strategic DBM is made. Tactical DBM has a short-term focus and a transactional approach. Strategic DBM has a long term focus aiming at enhancing brand loyalty, brand awareness and brand associations. Our results show that DBM is relatively undeveloped in the Dutch FMCG-industry. 29% of all respondents adopted DBM. When it is used, it is mainly used tactically. It is also found that DBM adoption is influenced by top management support, the size of the brand portfolio and the adoption of DBM by a competitor.