Are Muslims as commercially exploitable as Christians?
Posted by admin
Seridee asked:
You know, if you want a product to sell better in the west, just slap a Christian cross on it or some other more subtle tie in to the Christian faith, but does this tactic work as well in the Middle East as it does in the west?
LANE
You know, if you want a product to sell better in the west, just slap a Christian cross on it or some other more subtle tie in to the Christian faith, but does this tactic work as well in the Middle East as it does in the west?
LANE
January 27th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
VAUGHN
To some extent, but the US, where large numbers of Christians live, is an extremely materialistic society, more so than any other. Therefore the majority religion has been excessively commercialized. If the materialistic world power was in, say, Saudi Arabia instead, you would see Islam being commercialized the most.
January 28th, 2009 at 8:35 am
STAN
sure they have the market cornered in camels and burkas
January 30th, 2009 at 4:09 am
BOB
Oh I’m sure. You just slap a Mohamed sticker on it and WHAM it’s a product intended for Muslims. Then we can sell them all the same crap as they had before for higher prices…it’s the American Way!
January 31st, 2009 at 11:20 am
SERGIO
I wonder why it is?
Heaven Gives:
Earth Sells ( Commerce)
Hell Takes
February 1st, 2009 at 12:36 am
GUY
I don’t have the slightest idea. Never been to the Middle East.
And besides, no I don’t know at all that “if you want a product to sell better in the west, just slap a Christian cross on it”. That is to say, I know it ain’t so.
But then again, I’m speaking from a European’s perspective (you probably don’t even see Europe as “the West”).
February 1st, 2009 at 6:55 pm
SHANE
Perhaps in some countries that are more modern-friendly. Saudi Arabia is very resistant to change and consumerism, so it would be difficult to market to them, where a nation like Pakistan might be more open to it but to market it with faith is probably not going to be a success. There is too much reverence for their faith, something we lack in the west.
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:13 am
LLOYD
You can’t really answer that question without separating religion from culture, and I think someone else mentioned that it’s more the US vs the Middle East than Christianity vs Islam.
I mean, there are plenty of marketing ploys directed at American Muslims, proportionate to the population. There are Muslim women’s magazines, fashions, tv shows, the whole spiel. And in Islamic countries, depending on the socioeconomic status of the place, they’ can be pretty much just as consumerist as any other wealthy nation. They wear Gucci and Prada in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE. Not quite so much in Afghanistan or Iraq.
Take a look at all the marketing involved with the Hajj. I mean seriously. I’m sure there are people who make their entire living off it.
That being said, I think your question might be better answered if it were reframed in more specific terms.
February 3rd, 2009 at 6:28 pm
TERRELL
In the Middle East, if you want something to sell, you have to tape a blasting cap to it.
February 4th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
FRANKLIN
I dont think so
February 5th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
PEDRO
Are Muslims commercially exploitable?
Best bet to make money off those muslims is to be a travel agent.
If a muslim can afford it he has to go to Mecca at some point.
After that, I don’t think there is much an business opportunity. They have strict rules against graven images so you won’t be able to sell them many knick-knacks. No Virgin Marys on those guys lawns.
Their holidays are pretty lame too. Not even close to the retail possibilities of Christmas. Some businesses are completely dependent on X-mass to stay out of the red.
Christmas is even celebrated in Japan now. Christians are the smallest of minorities there, and most Japanese consider themselves agnostics, but the Japanese retailers know an opportunity when they see one.
My advise is to stick with Christians. Those Muslims will convert sooner or later anyway. How can fasting on Ramadan and shaving your pubic hair off before you enter Mecca compete with Christmas gifts and Chocolate bunnies?