Sales of bottled water will overtake carbonates as the leading global soft drinks category in the next two years, according to data from beverage market research company Canadean. Canadean said the global trend toward bottled water is being bolstered by its healthy image, as well as necessity in areas of the world that are lacking alternative safe water supplies. Asia The main driver behind the category re-positioning is coming from Asia, according to Canadean. Volume sales in Asia are predicted... ...Read more »

The rate of growth in retail trade in Australia decreased marginally in the first three months of 2013, and is expected to ease further as the year continues, according to a report from grocery retail representative body Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) and pallet and container manufacturer CHEP. The report, called the AFGC CHEP Retail Index, showed 3 per cent growth in the March quarter year-on-year, but forecasts growth will ease to 2.6 per cent in the June quarter. In the month of March,... ...Read more »

More than half of US consumers agree that labelling food or other products organic is just an excuse for companies to charge more, according to research from US market research organisation Harris Interactive. A March 2013 ‘Harris Poll’, conducted by the market research organisation, found that more Americans are concerned about the current state and future of the environment in 2013 than in 2012 (38 per cent in 2013, compared with 31 per cent in 2012). But this did not necessarily translate... ...Read more »

According to the ‘Australian Food Statistics 2011-12’ report released recently by the Australia Government, Australia’s dairy exports were worth $2,311 million in 2011-12. Japan has been by far Australia’s most valuable dairy export market, with total dairy exports to Japan in 2011-12 valued at $491 million. Singapore is also currently a valuable dairy export market, with $227 million worth of Australian dairy products going there in 2011-12. Indonesian opportunities In 2011-12, Australia... ...Read more »

While Greek-style yoghurt in the US will continue to set the direction for the overall yoghurt market, US market research organisation Packaged Facts does not believe the category will maintain its recent rapid rise or growth pace. As of early 2013, Packaged Facts said price competition had caused some areas of sales growth in the US Greek yoghurt segment to slow, and that major players were beginning to “fight a zero sum game over market share”. The yoghurt market in the US underwent a “sea... ...Read more »

Kale, a green leafy cabbage-like vegetable, is a growing trend in the US and UK markets, according to global market research organisation Innova Market Insights. There has been a rise in use of the vegetable, which is part of the Brassica family that also includes broccoli and cauliflower, in a wide range of packaged food and drink products in recent years. The total number of global introductions of food or drink products with kale as an ingredient have more than trebled over the five-year period... ...Read more »

The total value of food and liquor retailing in Australia grew by 4.2 per cent in 2011-12, to $135.8 billion. The figures come from ‘Australian Food Statistics’, a report produced by the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) with data extracted from Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The report also confirms that spending in supermarkets and grocery outlets continued to account for the bulk of food retailing expenditure in 2011-12, with a share of 62 per cent.... ...Read more »

Australia’s largest supermarket group Woolworths has launched a dedicated ‘beauty bar’ in its best-known supermarket in central Sydney. The launch of the ‘beauty bar’ at its Sydney Town Hall store signals a potentially wider new strategy for the whole supermarket group. The in-store ‘beauty bar’ will offer free beauty treatments, including make-overs, skin consultations and mini-manicures conducted by professional beauty consultants. The treatments, which will be available daily from... ...Read more »

The espresso machine and coffee giant Nestle Nespresso said it has taken inspiration from Italy’s coffee culture to create two new limited edition coffees, which will be released in April 2013. Nestle Nespresso, which is an operating unit of food manufacturing giant Nestle, said the two new ‘Limited Edition Grand Gru’ coffees are based on the distinct coffee cultures of the Italian cities of Napoli and Trieste. The two new flavours are named after the cities. The ‘Nespresso Trieste’ flavour... ...Read more »

A new report tabled in the South Australian parliament shows that despite overwhelming community support for a plastic bag ban in the State, sales of bin liners have increased by more 80 per cent in South Australia (SA). According to research conducted by the Ehrenberg Bass Institute for Marketing Science at the University of South Australia, the plastic bag ban, which was implemented in South Australia in May 2009, has seen the household purchase of bin liners increase from 15 per cent to 80 per... ...Read more »