Despite a fragile economy, American consumers continue to see alcoholic beverages as an affordable indulgence. The Nielsen Company offers its outlook on alcoholic beverage trends as the critical holiday season approaches: Restaurants and Bars Hurting With consumers staying in and entertaining at home more often, the on-premise sector - restaurants, bars and nightclubs - is facing serious challenges. Consumers are going out to eat less often, as evidenced by a recent Nielsen survey, where two-thirds... ...Read more »

Recession “crunches” new product recall to all-time low in the US as consumers seek comfort in familiar brands, though twists on familiar foods were among the most memorable. Advertisers and brand managers have new challenges to face as consumers are less aware of new product launches than ever before. That’s the key finding from the seventh annual Most Memorable New Product Launch Survey (MMNPL) in the US, conducted by Schneider Associates, Mintel International and IRI. When asked... ...Read more »

Research identifying greater concerns for the restaurant industry, as a result of a downturn in consumer spending, compared to other food industry sectors, appears to be on the mark. The latest retail trade statistics from the ABS highlight the strain any further consumer cost cutting could put on restaurants. Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services represented the worst performed industry sector in the September quarter, with a 0.6% drop in the trend. Food retailing, meanwhile, had the largest... ...Read more »

Recently released research by KPMG International and CIES reveals that, far from regarding corporate responsibility as a cost, many leading retailers and manufacturers see sustainability as: • a driver of innovation that can help build growth and profitability • integrated into the core business • driven by business need rather than formal requirements • having a neutral or positive impact on the bottom line • playing a crucial role in recruitment and retention The report, ‘KPMG/CIES... ...Read more »

Around the world, people have been shaken into uncertainty by the economic crisis, but there have been reasons for optimism and hope in recent weeks. Looking ahead to 2009, market and consumer intelligence firm Mintel believes consumers will adapt and make the best of the coming year in five major ways. As a backlash against the fast pace of the modern world, people will try to take greater control of their lives and find pleasure in the simple things. Faced with financial insecurity, shoppers will... ...Read more »

Despite more organic food and beverage products on grocery store shelves, all is not healthy in the world of pesticide-free, additive-free edibles. Mintel, a global supplier of market and consumer intelligence, predicts that market growth rates for organic food and drink will decline, especially if the economy falters further. According to Mintel, the market for organic foods and beverages should reach $7.2 billion in 2008, an increase of over 140% from the $3.0 billion recorded during 2003. But... ...Read more »

Australian owned and operated Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (”Domino’s”) announced at their AGM yesterday that positive same store sales growth had been recorded during the first four months of trading for 2008/09 in all markets, as their global expansion continues in earnest. Domino’s Chief Executive Officer Don Meij said markets were currently performing well given the current global economic climate. “With four months of trading already completed, group sales... ...Read more »

Restaurants may be moving beyond big steaks and even bigger spenders. As financial woes grip the US and consumers tighten their purse strings Mintel Menu Insights reports that more restaurants are promoting “value” on the menu. Through Mintel’s newly enhanced Menu Insights* database, director and registered dietitian Maria Caranfa sees more restaurants from fast food to fine dining promoting quality menu items for lower prices. She thinks it’s a wise move: “Foodservice... ...Read more »

Australians are likely to be sensible with any cash benefits they receive from the Government’s stimulus package and either put it towards their mortgage or save it, a survey by the Australian National Retailers Association has found. ANRA, which represents Australia’s leading retailers, undertook a poll of 1,000 Australians late last week, asking how consumers will spend their part of the Federal Government’s stimulus package. “Close to 40 per cent of people will put the... ...Read more »

With the world on the brink of a global downturn and a further intensification of competition likely between products and brands, there is more and more pressure on beverage manufacturers to differentiate their brands through radically different and innovative packaging materials and design. As market conditions have deteriorated over the last 18 months, pressure on margins, coupled with highly volatile energy and materials costs and increasing environmental pressures, have shifted the focus of packaging... ...Read more »