"Subsistence"connotes a state of being resource-poor, barely having sufficient resources of day to day living ( Viswanathan, 2007).

}65% of the world'population earns less than $2,000 each per year

Four billion people

Five trillion dollars purchasing power

Bottom or Base of the Pyramid

Largely untapped by multinational companies (unique marketing techniques: shampoo sold in a small packet, use of the video van- women as an agent, leasing phone time))

}Barriers to commerce

Corruption

Illiteracy

Inadequate infrastructure

Currency fluctuations

}Aggregate buying power of poor

In Rural Bangladesh, 7% of their income on phone service

The poor do buy"Luxury"items (TV, pressure cooker, and gas stove)

Poverty premium (Water, interest rate, medication, phone call)

60% of the GDP in India is generated in rural areas.

Not lacking buying power.

Two video links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb5aH5PUTnc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJylLFoJmxA

Please answer the following questions after reviewing the concept of a subsistence marketplace and watching two videos (the second one is the more recent development of slum areas in India). The subsistence marketplace can be slum areas in India or other parts of the world with similar characteristics as Indian slums (e.g., poverty, sanitation, education, literacy, etc.) Please number your answers up to two pages max (single space, 11 font).

1. What product or service would you like to market you believe will be useful in the subsistence marketplace. The product can be an existing product with modification or a completely new product. You need to explain what your product is. Be creative.
2. Why would you like to market this particular product or service to the subsistence marketplace?
3. How can your product make a difference for the subsistence marketplace (e.g., improving their health? Improving their education, etc.)?
4. Any other comments or discussions about your product.