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June 2009
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Recession and Inflationary Pressures Cause Difficult Year for Retailers
In 2009, the impact of the economic recession on food retailing towers over all other existing and emerging business imperatives and consumer trends. The economy is affecting far-reaching changes among shoppers, retailers and manufacturers alike, creating a host of new realities in the competitive environment. While some of the trends favor food retailing, others undermine solid sales gains and profit growth. read more
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Channel Watch: "Rich Man, Poor Man"the Recessionary Impact on Retail Channel Shopping
As the recession intensified in the U.S., value retail channels (i.e., dollar stores, warehouse clubs and supercenters) continue to win shopping tripsparticularly from more affluent shoppers. During the second half of last year and through the first (4-week) periods of 2009, these three retail channels drove stronger year-over-year trip growth than the grocery, drug and mass-merchandiser retail channels. read more
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HFCS-free product sales approach $1 billion
As sales of products that are labeled free of high fructose corn syrup approach the $1 billion mark, this trend signals how much of a health concern people feel about the sweetener/shelf life extender.
Whether these concerns are justified or not is being debated in the court of public opinion, as scientists and other critics (including sugar growers and marketers) continue to press on with their contentions, and the Corn Refiners Association tries to counter. read more
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Why women shop differently today
This blistering recession is likely throwing a lot of men out of the office and into the willing role of Mr. Momespecially if the real mom is employed. By sharing hats and keeping one income stream intact, American households are trying to buy time for the economy to right so they can resume their more familiar places as dual breadwinners within the family structure.
It will take time for Federal government figures to reflect these shifts. read more
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Few alternative snacks on the rise this year
The tale told by alternative snacks data isn't a pretty one about healthful eating in this recession. Consumer spending has been so repressed that consumption of even convenient, on-the-go, good-for-you snacks has largely slowed from the gains of a year ago.
When people forgo healthy 'fuel' that can help keep their metabolisms high throughout the day, or even sometimes substitute as a meal, the signs indicate a restrictive staples orientation. read more
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In CSD, large multi-packs lead growth
The carbonated soft drinks industry might find easier growth globally than in the United States, where competition from other beverages and health concerns surrounding obesity and sweeteners continue to temper performance. Growth goes on, however, due to the resourcefulness of brand marketers who've expanded their flavor profiles, began to add nutrients and herbs to their established beverage brands, and continue to package and merchandise in ways that suit multiple drinking occasions throughout the day. read more
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Consumer confidence flags all over the world
If misery loves company, then Americans should feel comforted by Nielsen's 1st Half 2009 Report on Global Consumer Confidence.
While consumers here have continued to lose jobs at a rapid rate and slash spending wherever they can, their confidence in earning prospects and soundness of the economy has taken a long-term dive. Though there may be a positive shift at lastU.S. consumer confidence jumped in May to 54.9 from an abysmal 40.8 in April, said the Conference Boardthere's no telling an uptrend will stick unless valid reasons materialize to warrant such optimism. read more
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The Cost of the Healthy Diet
Women of higher socioeconomic status spend more on better-quality diets, according to a recent study from the University of Washington's Nutritional Sciences Program. The study, which looked at energy and nutrient intakes for 164 men and women, found that diets of higher nutrient content were more costly per kilocalorie and consumed by persons of higher educational and income levels.
Since this study was focused on the link between the cost and quality of people's diets, study co-authors Drs. read more
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Measured Enthusiasm for Stevia Percolates Online
Following the December 2008 FDA approval of stevia for use in packaged goods, manufacturers have launched beverages touting the low-calorie alternative (among them Coca-Cola's Sprite Green, Odwalla's Mojito Mango and Tropicana's Trop50). However questions concerning various forms of stevia causes confusion and skepticism among some online consumers towards the new products.
In an analysis of conversations occurring online during Q1 2009, dieters in discussion forums such as WeightWatchers.com express enthusiasm for stevia as a replacement for processed sugars and artificial sweeteners. read more
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World Oceans Day, June 8, can be a saving grace
There's no accurate accounting of the damage that man has inflicted on food supplies or the ocean itself over the past 16 years through industrial pollution, waste dumping, over-fishing and reckless fishing that imperil untargeted species.
It's increasingly clear, however, that man's compromise of the ocean may soon reach a tipping point, and that nations need to agree on, establish and enforce more sustainable practices. read more
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Pet owners continue to dote in recession
What has six legs, one tail, sweaty pits and fierce breath? A dog and his owner scampering to the store to pick up some of the pet's favorite foods and treats, and languish in their mutual affection.
The rub for supermarkets is that their destination could well be a Petco, PetSmart or similar shop that encourages pet visits, and offers more extensive product varieties and specialty services than the vast majority of food, drug and mass merchandiser stores. read more
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Local Supermarkets Provide Economic Relief|Truffles|World Ocean's Day|100-Calorie Packs
TLRTV is a 5-minute videocast designed specifically for the B2B Food World with a focus on Marketing Analysis, Issues & Trends. In this week's report...
It's time for food stores to step up and help struggling households in ways that go beyond promotional savings at the shelf. How can local supermarkets provide economic relief while building loyalty with shoppers?
Are truffles the new "it" ingredient? Product of the week, Fungusamongus Truffle Mustard, may be one of the hottest new products on your shelves and one of best investments for your shoppers' taste buds. read more
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Why Facts, Figures & the Future is important
F3 was launched to meet the specific needs of both retailers and CPG companies who wanted to look into the future. For decades, consumers had been changing (and evolving!) at breakneck speed; and the food industry was struggling to not only keep up with these changes, but also to peer ahead in time and anticipate what would be "the next big trends."
Our objective, in each story, is to provide our readers with solid information and then based on that, to project what is likely to occur. read more
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The Power of Meat 2009
The Power of Meat explores meat and poultry buying and consumption behaviors, with a special emphasis in the economy. Also available as a PDF Download
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Facts, Figures, & the Future Newsletter
Click here for your FREE subscription to Facts, Figures, & the Future.
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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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