Commercial due diligence for the United States

If you are going to invest in a company with international expansion plans, you want to make sure that their product or service has good chances of being successful in the countries where you have ambitions.

This of course is also important for the United States. Only with the right knowledge about demand, competition and regulations it is wise to invest in market entry.
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Business opportunities in the United States

The United States, as the world’s largest economy, is a highly dynamic and competitive market. With diverse consumer preferences, a business-friendly environment, and significant purchasing power, the U.S. is a key market for international businesses. However, its size and complexity require careful planning.

Key Market Numbers

The U.S. market is vast, affluent, and offers significant opportunities across various industries. Key statistics include:

  • Population: Approximately 332 million (2023).
  • GDP per capita: Around $75,000 USD (2023), reflecting strong purchasing power.
  • Urbanization: About 83% of the population lives in urban areas, with major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago driving economic activity.
  • Economic Structure: Services dominate the economy, contributing about 77% of GDP, followed by manufacturing and agriculture.
  • Ageing Population: The U.S. population is gradually ageing, with around 17% aged 65 or older. This creates opportunities in healthcare, financial services, and senior-focused products.

Language and Documentation

The U.S. offers a relatively straightforward environment for English-speaking businesses but still requires attention to certain localization aspects.

  • Official Language: English is the primary language for business and communication. Spanish is also widely spoken, especially in states like California, Texas, and Florida.
  • Language Considerations: English is sufficient for most documentation and marketing materials. However, bilingual English-Spanish packaging can be advantageous in regions with large Hispanic populations.
  • Packaging and Documentation: U.S. regulations require clear and accurate labeling, particularly in industries like food, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. Compliance with standards set by agencies like the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and FTC (Federal Trade Commission) is critical.

Consumer and B2B Buying Behavior

The U.S. market is characterized by consumer diversity, brand loyalty, and a strong emphasis on value.

  • Consumer Behavior: U.S. consumers prioritize convenience, quality, and price. Online retail accounts for approximately 22% of total retail sales (2023), with platforms like Amazon, Walmart, and Shopify being dominant. Personalization and sustainability are growing trends.
  • B2B Buying Behavior: U.S. businesses focus on efficiency, transparency, and ROI (return on investment). Decision-making is often decentralized, requiring tailored approaches to different regions and industries.
  • Online Presence: A robust online presence is critical, with digital advertising and SEO being essential for both B2C and B2B success. Social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter play a major role in brand-building and lead generation.

Market Challenges and Opportunities

While the U.S. offers unparalleled opportunities, it also presents challenges for businesses unfamiliar with its scale and regulatory framework.

  • Products/Services that May Struggle: Products that lack a clear value proposition, fail to meet U.S. safety standards, or are not competitively priced may struggle. Localization is key for success in this highly competitive market.
  • Test Market Potential: The U.S. is an excellent test market due to its diverse population and regional variations. Success in key cities like New York or Los Angeles can be indicative of broader market potential.
  • Regulatory Environment: U.S. regulations vary by industry and state. Businesses must comply with federal, state, and local laws, particularly in sectors like food, healthcare, and finance. Hiring local legal and regulatory experts is often necessary.

Use our network for your due diligence

With local people in over 30 countries around the world, we can quickly do a regulatory, market and competition assessment in multiple markets at the same time. Connect with Alfred Griffioen to see what we can do and receive a quotation.

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    Research topics for new markets

    Where it comes to assessing the viability of a product or service in a new market, we always look at the following aspects:

    1. Regulatory compliance

    Can the product be imported and sold in the country, what are import duties and are there any restrictions on service delivery? What are the investments to comply to all regulations? 

    2. Market needs

    Is there a genuine demand for this product or service in the market and which aspects are decisive for the customers? What are common channels for marketing and sales?

    3. Competition

    How fierce is the competition and is there a clear market leader? Is there room for a new entrant and what happened to other companies trying to penetrate the market?

    4. Investments

    What steps are needed to enter the market and what are the related costs. How quickly can you expect revenue and what is a reasonable pay-back time?

    We make these assessment with local people in over 30 countries around the world, who report in a similar way. This way you get a good comparison and you can total up the investments needed for global growth.

    Comparing performance in existing markets

    If the company the we are assessing already has sales in different countries, we can determine distributor performance or sales staff performance. 

    We do this by correcting the actual turnover with data about:

    • the buying power in the market;
    • the geographical reach of the distributor or sales team;
    • the competition intensity;
    • the number of years active in the market.

    Combining the data of the various countries over time leads to a growth curve where overperformers and underperformers can be easily identified.

    We can then do selective interviews what causes any underperformance, and you can take corrective measures.

    A curve like this also helps to estimate the potential in a new market. 

    Turnover growth curve
    Share of wallet data comparison

    Before you focus only on the United States

    Please note that there are many countries in the world and the biggest ones or the ones nearby are not automatically the best choice. It all depends of the market growth, the competition and the barriers for entry. 

    Therefore I would advise you to make a short-list of at least three, but preferably five potential new markets and compare them against the same criteria.

    Frequently asked questions

    As in any country, also in the United States it is important to build your judgement on knowledge of the local situation. Given the population size, buying power, competition and local preferences, what is the real potential of the market?
    First look what elements make the market in the United States special. Then you can prioritize your time and look at regulations, competition, market growth and investments needed to grow your market share.