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Detergents win by concentrating
Few categories match the visible changes occurring in detergents because of environmental awareness. Concentrated formulas save water and plastic packaging, and are less burdensome for aging consumers to carry. Meanwhile, CPG manufacturers and retailers stand to benefit from both the greater space efficiency at the shelf, and the price fog of single, double and triple concentrates that may lead some consumers to make less economical (for them) and more profitable (for the sellers) purchase decisions. read more
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The Tastes & Preferences of In-Store Deli Shoppers
Who shops at supermarket deli counters? And how do you reach them?
New research from The Nielsen Company suggests that consumers who are heavy in-store deli users tend to be people with children - their oldest child is older than six years of age, and they tend to have time-constrained lives as well as concerns about value, though they hardly would be described as downscale. (They fit into the Nielsen categories of "Small Scale Families," "Younger Bustling Families," and "Older Bustling Families.")
However, the likelihood of a family buying fresh deli products does not necessary equate to generating deli volume. read more
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New strides in foot care
If feet are the foundation of our nation, then over-the-counter comfort and care items that coddle them are the veritable grease that keeps us moving. The urge to walk and run with relatively little pain seems ample motive for most to buy foot care items regularly.
Add to that our collective expanding age and girth, and the surge in diagnoses of diabetes, a disease known for the foot care challenges it brings: it's a safe observation that America's dietary, exercise and lifestyle habits perpetuate the population likeliest to gravitate to this category. read more
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Looking for Supermarket Nutritionists!
As a nutritionist working for a supermarket, you have a unique outlook on how retailers are increasing health awareness at the store level and the kind of questions that shoppers ask. Each month, we'll be featuring a guest column, written by a nutritionist, that communicates this point of view on a variety of topics. And we want to hear from you. If you are a supermarket nutritionist interested in sharing your perspective and insights, we would love to help you share your thoughts! Please contact Allison Bloom at Allison@FoodNutritionScience.com. read more
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Consumers flock to flax-added foods
Flax has a growing reputation for its high content of omega-3 fatty acids and lignans that could benefit the heart, help protect against cancer and more. These desired health benefits, along with the nutty flavor of ground seeds and the spicy zest of sprouts, have turned solid flax (primarily milled seeds) into a popular ingredient in many dozens of packaged foods and beverages in the United States. read more
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American shoppers willing to sacrifice packaging for environment
Although we live in a society oriented towards convenience, growing concerns for global waste issues and protecting our environment are becoming more important to American shoppers. Research from a new study by The Nielsen Company shows that more than half of U.S. consumers would give up all forms of packaging provided for convenience purposes if it would benefit the environment. Fifty-eight percent say they would give up packaging designed for easy stacking/storing at home, 55 percent would give up packaging that can be used for cooking, or doubling as a re-sealable container, and 53 percent would give up packaging designed for easy transport. read more
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Pet Food Sales Going To The Dogs As Alternative Channels Build Loyalty
The rule in the pet food category seems to be that sales are down somewhatoff 2.2 percent in equivalized unit volume (EUV) for the 12 months ending January 26, 2008 in the conventional food/drug/mass (excluding Wal-Mart) channel, which was pretty much the same decrease as in the previous 12 monthsresearch generated by Homescan, a service of The Nielsen Company, suggests that they are making more of their purchases in so-called alternative channels. read more
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CHANNEL WATCH
Among the key findings...
- Seasonal trends during the holidays show an increase in the number of shoppers for all channels except Convenience/Gas
- Seasonal trends also impacted dollar sales by channel, as Food, Mass w/Super and Warehouse Club stores all saw increased consumer spending between the end of October and the beginning of March for the past two years
Mass w/Super saw the largest increase in dollar sales during the holidaysapproximately $25-$30
- As the projected number of shoppers in the Food channel steadily increased over the past 2.5 years, the number of shopping trips gradually decreased and average dollar sales remained steady
- Average dollar sales continue to increase year over year within the Drug and Convenience/Gas channels
- The number of shopping trips in the Warehouse Club channel has remained constant, averaging 1.3 trips per household, per monthapproximately $115 per trip
Click on thumbnail to enlarge, or click here.
Click on thumbnail to enlarge, or click here.
Click on thumbnail to enlarge, or click here.
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The "tipping" jar
I am all for fairness, mutual respect and good manners, especially in a retail environment. But, I have never been a fan of the ubiquitous tip jar that seems to be in every coffee, bagel, yogurt, smoothie and sandwich shop in America.
It is not that I'm cheap, or don't want to tip for good (or hopefully excellent) service. All too often, when I find my self standing in front of one of these half full jars filled with coins and dollar bills, I glance over at the server who seems to be smirking and watching carefully to see just how much of my change I am about to share. read more
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The Food Retailing Industry Speaks
Make sure your voice is heard in the industry's Annual State of the Industry Review and receive a FREE copy of the report in return. Speaks is used by everyone who follows this industry so we need broad input to make sure the picture we present is accurate. Of course, for that to happen, the Food Marketing Industry needs as many food retailers as possible--from the largest to the smallest--to respond. read more
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Facts, Figures, & the Future Newsletter
Click here for your FREE subscription to Facts, Figures, & the Future.
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Consumer 360
Click here for more information.
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FMI Annual Financial Review
For this in-depth financial review of the supermarket industry with key ratios and trends for benchmarking performance, click here.
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Food, Nutrition & Science
We've just launched a brand new monthly newsletter: Food, Nutrition, & Science from The Lempert Report.
Our mission is to provide retailers and brands with the latest food news and the tools needed to better serve and empower our shoppers to make the best food choices possible. Each issue will contain interviews with leading researchers, nutritionists and trend setters. read more
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Every so often we run across some data that challenges us to question the "conventional wisdom" that women are sole gatekeepers in shopping and preparing the family meals. A Men's Health magazine study reports that 65 percent of men are active weekly shoppers. This is not the only study making such claims. The Yankelovich Monitor reports that 71 percent of men are shopping at supermarkets one or more times per week, and WSL Strategic Retail reported a 20-point increase in men doing at least some of the grocery shopping from 41 percent in 2002 to 61 percent in 2004. 
As noted in a February 2008 press release, Natural Marketing Institute (NMI) and The Nielsen Company announced an agreement to provide in-depth insights into NMI's LOHAS consumer segmentation model and expertise with linkage to Nielsen Consumer Panel Services. We want to give our reader's some additional insights on what they can expect from this exciting new alliance.
