Eating “better for you” foods rather than dieting appears to be the weapon of choice against the battle of the bulge, according to The NPD Group, a leading market research firm. NPD reports that the percentage of American adults on a diet has decreased by 10 percentage points since 1990, while the percentage of Americans eating healthier foods has increased. “While dieting for both women and men remain huge markets, they are not growing markets,” says Harry Balzer, Vice President... ...Read more »

Higher fuel and food costs and other economic pressures are having a pervasive impact on how consumers shop, cook and dine, according to the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends 2008 report. The selection of grocers is primarily dependant upon low prices, with 37 per cent indicating that this is the main reason for the choice of outlet. This is up from 31 per cent last year and comfortably above the second most popular reason, location (13 per cent). Further, most consumers... ...Read more »

A Memorandum of Understanding between the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and Consumer Affairs Victoria was signed in Melbourne today by ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, and Consumer Affairs Victoria Director, Dr David Cousins. “The MOU reflects the spirit of collaboration between the two agencies and demonstrates the commitment of both organisations to work together to ensure consumers and traders are aware of their rights and responsibilities under fair trading and... ...Read more »

The cost of needlessly wasted food to UK households is £10 billion a year, £2 billion higher than previously estimated, according to new research published by not-for-profit organisation WRAP. The research gives detailed new insights into the nature and amount of food waste thrown away in the UK and is believed to be the most comprehensive study of its kind. It reveals that the average household throws out £420 of good food a year. For the average family with children it’s higher... ...Read more »

With consumers struggling to deal with rising food, fuel and finance costs comes the introduction of a new type of discount food retailer in Australia. A new budget supermarket is set to be opened in Mildura which embraces marked fruit and vegetables in order to keep costs down for the consumer. The new supermarket, Vinnies Budget Store, is an initiative of the St.Vincent de Paul Society. Australian supermarkets refuse to take the products on with concerns that consumers are too picky... ...Read more »

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is set to give evidence to the ACCC’s grocery price inquiry today. The NFF suggest they have clear evidence that the gap between what farmers are being paid and what consumers are paying has been widening. Their evidence is likely to put more pressure on the ACCC to find out the true cause of the high prices currently being offered to consumers.  Read More →