DR. JOANA C LEMOS Research Director

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Why small merchants can be resilient?

Client: SumUp

Context

Long engagement, advising on best practices for research as the company expands globally and builds new teams. Our comprehensive approach involved evaluating cultural nuances, user behaviors, and market dynamics across diverse regions, ensuring a tailored and user-centric strategy. Through collaborative workshops and hands-on training, empowered SumUp's teams to integrate effective research methodologies seamlessly into their global expansion efforts. As SumUp envisions a future of innovation and growth, this collaboration served as a catalyst for cultivating a design-driven culture that resonates with users worldwide.

What we did

The global pandemic has profoundly impacted small merchants, reshaping the landscape of commerce and presenting unprecedented challenges. As these entrepreneurs navigate a rapidly evolving market, the role of design research emerges as a crucial catalyst for resilience and adaptation. By employing empathetic research methodologies, designers can gain deep insights into the evolving needs and pain points of small merchants. Understanding shifts in consumer behavior, preferences, and expectations becomes pivotal in crafting solutions that are not just functional but also resonate with the human experiences of both merchants and customers.

Impact

Design research served as a guiding light, enabling the creation of user-centric strategies that empowered small businesses to thrive in an ever-changing environment. From reimagining physical store experience to optimizing online platforms, the insights gleaned through design research became invaluable tools for small merchants, offering them the agility and innovation needed to not only survive but flourish in the post-pandemic landscape.