Frugal innovation or frugal engineering is the process of reducing the complexity and cost of a good and its production. Usually this refers to removing nonessential features from a durable good, such as a car or phone, in order to sell it in developing countries. Designing products for such countries may also call for an increase in durability and, when selling the products, reliance on unconventional distribution channels. When trying to sell to so-called “overlooked consumers”, firms hope volume will offset razor-thin profit margins. Globalization and rising incomes in developing countries may also drive frugal innovation.[4] Such services and products need not be of inferior quality but must be provided cheaply.

In May 2012 The Financial Times newspaper called the concept “increasingly fashionable”.

Details: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frugal_innovation