Research Topic

Although coupons, circulars and store brands offer savings opportunities at the supermarket, a new poll to be featured in the September 2009 issue of ShopSmart, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, has found that the majority of women are missing the chance to economize in their own kitchens. Only 29 percent of women polled said they budget or estimate how much a weekday dinner will cost, and one in 10 women won’t serve leftovers.

According to a recent study by Chicago-based Technomic, over a third of consumers (36 percent) said they’re entertaining at home more often than a year ago. Only 13 percent said they’re doing so less often.

Global consumers are increasingly optimistic about the economy, but those in North America remain the exception to the rule.

Research presented at the 2009 Berry Health Symposium in June showed that strawberry consumption could improve cognitive function.

A new market research report from MarketsandMarkets, “Global Baby Food Market (2009-2014),” has found that the worldwide baby food market is expected to be worth $37.6 billion by 2014, with an estimated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.0 percent from 2009 to 2014.

According to Los Angeles-based industry research firm IBISWorld, which investigated grocery costs in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago to gauge consumer spending across the United States, Chicago’s prices were the cheapest on average for all food-brand categories (store, commercial and organic) of the three analyzed regions, coming in at $115.73. Los Angeles was the most expensive, at $124.43, while New York was a bit cheaper, at $122.66.

Consumers’ hopes for an end to the global economic crisis have been bolstered in the second quarter of 2009, according to a recent Nielsen Global Consumer Confidence Survey. The Nielsen Global Consumer Confidence Index, conducted in 28 markets in June 2009, rose to 82 -- an increase of five points (from 77) from March 2009 -- spurred by renewed consumer optimism and stock market gains in BRIC markets (Brazil, Russia, India, China) and key Asian countries.

A new study released this week from Wetpaint and the Altimeter Group reveals that deep engagement with consumers through social media channels correlates to better financial performance.