1. If you increase the size of your stores, you will be able to run multiple departments effectively. VLLord posted an indication somewhere, but not sure where. I can look for it later if you want. Do note that with bigger shops you will also need more personal so you will need to watch your qualification to see if you can handle that.
2. If local suppliers are 90% the market is unsaturated. There might be 18 companies, but those are only covering a small part of the market volume. Most of those 18 shops are probably that small, that they don't matter in terms of competitors.
3. see 4
4. Market volume is the amount of products sold in a certain city. On the top of the page you now know how to find, you see the "Market development index" (the letter indicating saturation), Market volume, Number of merchants and Number of companies. As example, the total market volume for alcohol in Germany on the Mary server is 4 909 298. The common/cheap products like food and grocery have a larger market volume than expensive goods like motor-car goods and jewelry. Like the market volume for cars is only 47 687. This means that for every car sold in Germany, 103 bottles of alcohol are sold. Citizens are far as I know don't have a preference of one product over another. They just have a limited need.
Do note that I only started little over a month ago so I'm no expert. When looking for a market to enter, there are a couple things I know you need to consider. In an unsaturated market you are competing with the local suppliers. That means you have to offer the same quality for a lower price, or a better quality for the same price as the local suppliers. By opening a warehouse you can see if the product with the quality you need is available for a suitable price. If yes, this might be a suitable market to enter. If no, don't bother.
If I'm posting anything that is incorrect, I gladly hear so from the more experienced players. |