Private-label food is here to stay in the US, according to recent research that found that almost 45% of consumers are purchasing more own-label products than before the economic slowdown.According to a survey released by AlixPartners today (13 June), nearly 45% of consumers say the shaky economy has motivated them to continue to consider and ultimately purchase more private-label and other lower-priced food items. “The American consumer is staunchly committed to value and is more open to private-label... ...Read more »

The key food sectors in Australia are weathering the global recession well, the latest research from Leatherhead’s Global Food Markets shows, with frugalism far less prevalent than in most other global markets. Although there are signs that consumers have begun to economise during the slowdown, many sectors reported strong growth in 2008, with 2009 sales estimates also positive. Baby food sales, for example, rose 8.8% in 2008 with 2.8% growth forecast for 2009, reflecting a trend towards higher... ...Read more »

A rise in the number of home cooked meals has helped cushion the impact of the downturn on supermarkets and manufacturers and is leading to a replenishment of staff at a number of prominent manufacturing sites in Victoria. Around 60 positions have been added at the Uncle Tobys factory near Wodonga, 50 at each of the Bega and Mrs Crocket’s factories and a number at Fonterra, the state secretary of the National Union of Workers, Anthony Thow, told The Age. Mr Thow believes the jobs rebound in... ...Read more »

The retail and wholesale distribution industry could save £6.1 billion (A$12.26b) a year by agreeing “better” more “mutually beneficial” supplier-buyer deals, new research has claimed.According to retail consultancy, The Gap Partnership, and independent economists, the Centre for Economic and Business Research, both suppliers and retailers could improve their business performances, productivity and profitability by “thinking creatively” about the terms of contract... ...Read more »

Despite the deterioration of the global economy, Euromonitor International believes the packaged food industry is well positioned to weather the storm. Everyone has to eat, and with global food commodity prices now stabilising, the spectre of potentially catastrophic food inflation has been dispelled. “Even though commodity prices are slated to increase slightly during 2009 as consumer demand for eating at home increases, final retail prices should remain relatively stable,” Euromonitor... ...Read more »

The Brisbane take away and dining out market is suffering as Brisbanites stay home and cook, according to recent research by the local branch of global information and insight group TNS. Spending on take-away food and eating out over the past six months is down, with one in two Brisbane residents having spent less or put spending on hold in these areas over the past six months. While spend on take-away food and eating out is down, spend on groceries in Brisbane is up, with one in five spending more... ...Read more »

American sales of organic products, both food and non-food, reached US$24.6 billion (A$32.8b) by the end of 2008, soaring 17.1 per cent over 2007 sales despite tough economic times, according to the Organic Trade Association (OTA). While the overall economy went backwards, sales of organic products reaped strong growth during 2008. “Organic products represent value to consumers, who have shown continued resilience in seeking out these products,” Christine Bushway, OTA’s Executive... ...Read more »

The current recession has created a new niche of consumers identified as the “Downturn Generation”, who are likely to have a major impact on the consumer packaged goods sector. The research, “Dissecting the Downturn Generation: Recognising and Leveraging Permanence in Today’s Transformational Economy,” by Information Resources, Inc. (IRI), has found a new generation of Americans adopting practices similar to Depression-era shoppers and similar responses could be expected... ...Read more »

Eating out is now so deeply ingrained in Australian culture that even an economic crisis will not stop us dining outside the home, according to leading industry analyst, BIS Foodservice. What has changed, however, is how often we go out and where we go out, with consumers trading down their dining choices in these uncertain times. BIS Foodservice’s Fast Food in Australia 2009 report found fast-food chains around the world are presently experiencing little change in sales and will in fact see... ...Read more »

The organic sector’s peak body has said that sales of organic produce have continued to rise despite the gloomy economic outlook, which threatens the strong growth the sector has recorded in recent years. “Organic sales continue to increase because consumers are buying more organic products for home consumption rather than spending on more expensive items such as cars and TVs,” Andre Leu, Chair of the Organic Federation Australia, stated. “Market information from Australia,... ...Read more »