Global market research organisation Nielsen has launched the first Australian ShopperLAB research facility, which has been installed in the Company’s Sydney head office. Nielsen said the lab, which will be announced this week at the Consumer 360 conference in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, will enable manufacturers and retailers to better understand shopping behaviour and test concepts through “observation, interviews, eye tracking and neuroscience”. Aimed primarily at marketers, category... ...Read more »

UK supermarket giant Tesco have announced the launch of a ‘sweet lemon’ in the UK.  Is there a lesson here for Australian fruit marketers? These lemons are a product which has been very common in the US and Australia for the past 100 years but are now being re-launched as something new and extraordinary in the UK. Tesco citrus fruit buyer Tim Battey said: “This fruit is a cook’s dream as it has all the zestiness of a lemon but with the sweetness of a tart orange instead of a harsh sting.” Whilst... ...Read more »

Product of the Year, Australia’s largest independent consumer survey of product innovation, has attracted 44 entries this year, with nine judges set to narrow down the field today. The survey, initially started three years ago by infomercial advertiser ‘what’s new?’ and conducted by Roy Morgan, will this year be carried out by global research company TNS – in line with the global program. Product of the Year manager Sarah Connelly was delighted with the number of entries this year,... ...Read more »

A new report from America has highlighted the key changes in shopping rituals that present both opportunities and threats to food and beverage firms. The latest IRI Times & Trends Report, “Price Promotion & Merchandising: The Reinvention of CPG Marketing,”recommends a number of strategies for both manufacturers and retailers to capture the attention of the ever-demanding consumer. “There is no question-consumers are looking for value,” IRI Consulting & Innovation... ...Read more »

The economic downturn has not created a ‘health crunch’ when it comes to new product innovation, according to research conducted for UK manufacturing representative the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) by independent consultancy Mintel’s Global New Products Database.Based on its tracking of new product launches in the UK grocery market, Mintel has discovered that nearly 250 reformulated products were launched in the first six months of this year – similar to the same period... ...Read more »

The Product of the Year awards, heading into their third year in Australia, have now joined the successful global franchise that sees consumers in 28 countries choose the best new product launches every year. Australia’s largest independent consumer survey of product innovation, initially started by infomercial advertiser ‘what’s new?’ and conducted by Roy Morgan, will this year be carried out by global research company TNS – in line with the global program. Winners... ...Read more »

With economic uncertainty influencing consumer purchasing decisions and interest in healthy eating on the rise, food and beverage manufacturers can feed consumer demand for products that provide more bang for the buck. Ingredients firm Tate & Lyle spoke with several food and beverage manufacturers and spotted seven food trends that American consumers are keen on this year – primarily linked to an overall health and wellness trend. 1. Reduced Calories Consumers are being advised to reduce... ...Read more »

With 2009 nearly upon us, look for new product marketers to make the year interesting with beauty foods and drinks, detox products and concentrated liquid cleaners that cut costs and help the environment. Datamonitor’s Product Launch Analytics takes a look at these and other trends in consumer packaged goods for the coming year. Nuts About Nuts (and seeds) It wasn’t all that long ago that consumers were told to avoid nuts. Too much fat, the experts said. Well, the experts have reversed... ...Read more »

A no-frills, back-to-basics attitude is set to be taking by consumers, manufacturers and retailers alike next year as consumers and businesses opt for caution in the face of economic fears, Nielsen advised in their latest edition of Consumer Insights. This will see many consumers focus on “going green” only when the cost is right, national brands fight back against private label with innovation in product design and packaging, and increased sales of products useful for ‘coooking... ...Read more »

The Australian CEO of the world’s leading fast-food chain McDonald’s, believes the childhood obesity issue is down to a lack of exercise, as debate rages about the responsibilities of food retailers, manufacturers and marketers. Chief Executive Peter Bush told the House of Representatives inquiry into obesity that there were a number of reasons for the drop off in exercise and believes new studies would absolve fast-food companies of much of the responsibility for the ‘obesity epidemic’.... ...Read more »