After completion of his training of cutting, tailoring and embroidery from a skill development institute, Sujit wanted to start his own business. He discussed this idea with his mother who advised him to identify the new trends in this area. She also advised him to take the help of professional trend spotters for this. When Sujit contacted some of the best professional trend spotters, he found that their fee was too high. So he decided to do this work himself, started reading the leading publications and visited websites related to the type of business he wanted to start. This way he was able to spot related trends. Identify and explain the method used by Sujit to spot the trends. Also list two other ways in which trends can be spotted.

Question

Accepted Answer

The method used by Sujit to spot the trends is **Read trends**. He 'started reading the leading publications and visited websites related to the type of business he wanted to start.' By scanning information from a wide variety of sources — publications and websites — he was able to identify relevant trends for his business.

Two other ways in which trends can be spotted are:

1. **Talk trends** — Talking to customers and prospective customers, getting involved in industry trade associations and attending events both online and offline, using social media and online surveys to learn what customers are thinking, buying and craving.

2. **Watch trends** — Regularly going where target customers hang out — the local mall for teenagers or 'power lunch' restaurants for business people — and observing what people are eating, doing, wearing and using. Trade shows are a great place to get trend ideas.