Research released UK by food and grocery expert IGD suggests that consumers want more information on Genetically Modified (GM) foods before forming a strong opinion one way or the other. IGD has closely monitored consumer attitudes to GM food, alongside many other issues, over the last ten years. The latest research involved IGD talking to 7,000 shoppers during spring and early autumn 2008. The research shows that opinions have changed very little since the issue reached mass public attention almost... ...Read more »

New findings suggest that many customers concerned with the environment are not following through by purchasing environmentally friendly products. Information Resources, Inc. (IRI), a leading global provider of consumer, shopper, and market insights for consumer packaged goods (CPG), retail, and healthcare industries, has revealed new findings from a study based on TNS’ Shades of Green Segmentation, which highlight distinct variations in buying behaviors even among those consumers who claim... ...Read more »

A recent survey by American foodservice consultants Technomic revealed that a substantial number of consumers consistently turn to restaurants and food retailers to fill the stomachs of their guests when hosting parties and other social events in their homes. More than one in three respondents reported that they’ve ordered meals or platters for meetings, parties, and social occasions, with 79 per cent reporting that these purchases were for personal social occasions rather than work-related... ...Read more »

New research has established a number of methods to assist CPG companies prosper in spite of rising economic pressure and falling consumer demand, with important lessons for companies of all sizes. Top performers in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry achieved 3.6 per cent sales growth over and above category average while decreasing their sales costs as a percent of sales by 6.1 per cent over two years, according to the 2008 Customer and Channel Management Survey: Doing More with Less: Winning... ...Read more »

So far this year, British shoppers have been in denial - spending more than they did in 2007, in spite of the mounting evidence that their incomes were being squeezed. Until now, with the latest research from MINTEL* finding that reality is beginning to strike and Brits are now making dramatic changes to the way they shop for food. Consumer research from MINTEL highlights that, in the last 12 months alone, 41% of shoppers have switched to cheaper brands and three in ten (34%) have cut down on the... ...Read more »

The annual Food and Health Survey, commissioned by the International Food Information Council Foundation (IFIC), has identified current American consumer attitudes toward food, health and nutrition. Health/Diet Perception of health being “excellent” or “very good” has risen amongst consumers to 39 per cent from 33 per cent in 2006, while satisfaction with health has remained constant at around 59 per cent. Despite the increase in health satisfaction, consumers are more concerned... ...Read more »

New research released by The Dairy Council highlights an increased interest in both food labels and dairy products amongst consumers. Just under 98% of British respondents reported that they consume dairy products - a slight increase from 96% in 2007. Of the respondents who consume dairy products, 93% eat or drink them every day; representing an increase from 88% in 2007. Consumers’ use of food labels as a source of information about healthy foods has increased by 14% year on year.... ...Read more »

UK consumption of smoothies grew by almost 40% to reach 75 million litres in 2007, generating a retail market value of £319 million, according to the latest ‘UK Smoothies’ report from leading food and drink consultancy Zenith International. Sales have witnessed strong growth since the introduction of the smoothie concept to UK consumers nearly 15 years ago, yet the category remains a relatively niche area at 1.2 litres per person last year. “High retail prices and concerns over... ...Read more »

Don’t call it a fad; the natural and organic food and beverage market is reshaping the way America shops, according to research firm Packaged Facts. With products available in every retail outlet, increasingly health savvy consumers can now easily purchase natural alternatives to processed foods and other mainstream offerings. In the 2nd edition of its report, ‘Natural and Organic Food and Beverage Trends in the U.S.’, Packaged Facts investigates the trends and demographics fueling... ...Read more »

American consumers are balancing the need to save money on consumer packaged goods with the need to conserve petrol, so they are turning to major shopping centres to make fewer and larger shopping trips. Information Resources, Inc.’s (IRI) latest research, ‘Times & Trends: Channel Migration 2008′, reveals that shopping centres were the only store type to achieve sales gains across six key grocery retail department areas during the last year, while traditional grocery... ...Read more »