Tesco, Britain’s largest retailer, has seen sales growth fall in the face of more intense competition and a struggling economy, but still remains positive about the future. The company, which is the market leader in the grocery sector in the UK, reported overall sales growth of 11.7% in the third quarter, but this was largely due to their international expansion - which some have credited with taking their focus away from their primary market. The company did note their food and grocery sector... ...Read more »
While the credit crunch has negatively impacted the advertising and marketing budgets of many companies it appears UK supermarkets have viewed the downturn as an opportunity to gain market share and boost sales. Research carried out by Nielsen Media Research for UK newspaper The Daily Telegraph has discovered that most of the market leaders had upped their ad spend this year. In the UK the major supermarkets have come under pressure from discount supermarkets Aldi and Lidl, who have appealed to those... ...Read more »
The late 2000s have proven to be a challenging period for the US liquid refreshment beverage category, but growth persists as do opportunities. The changes in the US marketplace often present leading indications as to where the Australian market is headed. Many factors confront the industry, which consists of carbonated soft drinks, bottled water, milk, fruit beverages, sports beverages, ready-to-drink tea and coffee, and energy drinks. Some relate to broader economic and social conditions, while... ...Read more »
Despite the overwhelming barrage of pessimism in the airwaves, it is not all gloom and doom in the retail food market, according to market consulting company Freshlogic. Generalisations based on past data could come back to bite, with Freshlogic director Martin Kneebone believing it is now more important and potentiality of higher value for food product marketers, fresh food suppliers and retailers to keep a close watch on the behavior of Australian consumers. “Our monthly tracking of consumer... ...Read more »
It’s not just the economy that is being compared to the 1970s. Sales of foods from the decade that brought us flares and fondues and ABBA and Abigail’s Party are also enjoying a revival according to the latest figures released by UK retailer Waitrose. In a week in which popular chef Gordon Ramsay will present his special retro-inspired Cookalong TV programme in Britain, the supermarket last week reported sales of Scampi have rocketed by 80% and King Prawns have risen by 50%. Cheesecake,... ...Read more »
The fact that shoppers are facing a crisis of confidence is having a profound effect on the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry. A key question on the minds of retailers and manufacturers is how consumers are meeting today’s economic challenges as the most shopping intensive period of the year draws near. The latest research from Information Resources, Inc. (IRI) reveals that financially-strapped American consumers across all income levels, including those earning $100,000 or more, are... ...Read more »
The recent darling of the supermarket shelves, organic food, is set to slip down the pecking order, as cash-strapped Brits hunt down cheaper alternatives, according to consumer intelligence firm Mintel. Latest research from Mintel finds that the organic food and drink market is now worth £1.6 billion in the UK. But, as a result of the current economic climate, as many as half (48%) of all organic shoppers will reduce or even give up buying organic food in the next year alone. After 5 years impressive... ...Read more »
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 »
Chocolate is seen as a comfort food. During troubled times, consumers often turn to chocolate for comfort, but European shoppers are likely to carefully consider what they are buying this year, according to Rabobank Confectionery Analyst Maria Castroviejo. According to a recent UK survey, the best performing chocolate category in the first half of 2008 was chocolate tablets and the worst hit were boxed chocolates, indicating a trading down within the segment. “When chocolate is purchased for... ...Read more »
Once considered a lower-price, lower-quality substitute for name brands, private label products, or home brands, are now viewed in a more positive light by the majority of American consumers, according to a new survey by The Nielsen Company. Nearly three-quarters (72 per cent) of consumers believe store brands are good alternatives to name brands and 62 per cent of consumers report they consider store brands to be as good as name brands, up three points since 2005. Private label products now account... ...Read more »