It used to be a common perception that giving cash in lieu of actual wrapped gifts during the holidays was, to put it bluntly, a little crass. Then along came gift cards, and those time-worn perceptions melted away.
February 2006 Issue 39
Consumer Perspective
Fast Follow-Ups are short, focused online surveys that connect you to immediate consumer feedback. They are an affordable and efficient way to get a clear view of recent purchases, behaviors and demographics – directly from consumers. Find out what Fast Follow-Ups can do for your business.
Events
International Home & Housewares Show
Chicago, IL
NPD Senior Account Manager, Kathleen Cella, speaking
Event Web Site
March 13, 2006
International Housewares Show
Chicago, IL
NPD Houseworld President, Peter Greene, speaking
Event Web Site
Insights Mission
Dean Foods Dairy Group
Dean Foods is one of the leading food and beverage companies in the U.S.; its Dairy Group is the largest marketer of fresh dairy products in the country. More than 50 local and regional brands exist under the Dean Foods Dairy Group umbrella. In the extremely competitive beverage industry in which Dean Foods operates, timely, accurate information and insights are critical to maintaining a position of strength.
Although his company became a client of NPD’s Food and Beverage Services division only in the past year, already Dairy Group Vice President of Marketing, Clay Boatright, reports the company is extremely pleased by the excellent return on its investment.
Pete Steriti, Vice President of Sales, Central Region
Memorex Products, Inc.
Memorex Products, Inc.
Beyond the strong sales associated with maintaining market share leadership in a particular product category, being leader of the pack has other advantages. In the case of Memorex Products, Inc. and the blank media categories, leadership means retailers have appointed the company “category captains.” Memorex Products, Inc. Vice President of Sales, Central Region, Peter R. Steriti says his company embraces that role, and takes it very seriously.
Europe’s Specialty Retailers Resist Powerful Mass and Hyper Channels
Unique products and specialized knowledge keep specialists ahead in retailing
By Isabelle Grenet
Vice President, European Retailer Group
Unique products and specialized knowledge keep specialists ahead in retailing
By Isabelle Grenet
Vice President, European Retailer Group
While the mass channel dominates U.S. consumers’ attention, in Europe, smaller specialty stores are strongly defending their territory in the retail marketplace. This is particularly evident when considering two of the markets NPD monitors in Europe: sports footwear and toys.
Americans Are More Acceptable of Heavier Bodies
MSNBC (January 11, 2006)
CNNMoney.com (January 20, 2006)
Associated Press (January 13, 2006)
"The real story for 2005 was the incredible expansion of portable gaming," said Anita Frazier, an NPD analyst. "The GBA continued to realize stellar sales, and the introduction of the (Nintendo) DS and PSP to the market brought older gamers to the portable format."
MSNBC (January 11, 2006)
While body image remains a constant obsession, the national preoccupation with being thin has waned since the late 1980s and early 1990s, said the NPD’s Harry Balzer. Those were the days when fast food chains rushed to install salad bars. In 1989, salads as a main course peaked at 10 percent of all restaurant meals. Today, those salad bars have all but vanished and salads account for just 5½ percent of main dishes. "It turns out health is a wonderful topic to talk about," Balzer said. "But to live that way is a real effort."
The Best Time to Buy EverythingCNNMoney.com (January 20, 2006)
While the blowout sales on electronics tend to cluster around the holidays, even cheaper deals on TVs can be found in the spring beginning in April, according to Stephen Baker, who covers electronics for the marketing and research firm NPD. That's because for most Japanese companies the fiscal year ends in March. Baker says they time new-model year releases with the new fiscal year and offer discounts of up to 20 percent to clear out old sets.
Video Game Hardware, Software Sales Hits Record $10.5 BillionAssociated Press (January 13, 2006)
"The real story for 2005 was the incredible expansion of portable gaming," said Anita Frazier, an NPD analyst. "The GBA continued to realize stellar sales, and the introduction of the (Nintendo) DS and PSP to the market brought older gamers to the portable format."
Digital Cameras Help Change A Worldwide View of Photography
According to The NPD Group and its partner, The GfK Group, leading technology market research organizations, the world of digital imaging is taking shape, moving towards higher resolution and new image capturing capabilities.
The NPD Group Reports Sales Of Camera Accessories For 2005
According to leading consumer and retail information provider The NPD Group, retail sales for camera accessories in the U.S. grew 27 percent to $598.1 million, compared to $472.8 million in 2004. Accessories include bags and cases, tripods and monopods, accessory and starter kits, lenses, flashes, and batteries.
NPD’s AccuPanel Spotlights National Brand Strengths
National brand customers will consistently buy more, spend more, shop more often, and pay higher prices than those customers who buy private labels in department stores, chain stores and at discount retailers, according to leading consumer and retail information provider The NPD Group. The information is based on data collected by AccuPanel SM, NPD’s longitudinal research panel.
According to The NPD Group and its partner, The GfK Group, leading technology market research organizations, the world of digital imaging is taking shape, moving towards higher resolution and new image capturing capabilities.
According to leading consumer and retail information provider The NPD Group, retail sales for camera accessories in the U.S. grew 27 percent to $598.1 million, compared to $472.8 million in 2004. Accessories include bags and cases, tripods and monopods, accessory and starter kits, lenses, flashes, and batteries.
National brand customers will consistently buy more, spend more, shop more often, and pay higher prices than those customers who buy private labels in department stores, chain stores and at discount retailers, according to leading consumer and retail information provider The NPD Group. The information is based on data collected by AccuPanel SM, NPD’s longitudinal research panel.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE:
Copyright The NPD Group, Inc. 2006. All rights reserved.
Contents may not be reproduced in whole or in part without permission from The NPD Group, Inc.
TRADEMARKS NOTICE:
The following names and terms which may be used in this newsletter are registered trademarks or service marks of The NPD Group: Aftermarket Industry Monitor, BeautyTrends , CREST, FragranceTrack, National Eating Trends, NET, npd.com, NPD Insights, SalesTrac Weekly, Solution Folders, NPD Sports Tracking Europe.
Contents may not be reproduced in whole or in part without permission from The NPD Group, Inc.
TRADEMARKS NOTICE:
The following names and terms which may be used in this newsletter are registered trademarks or service marks of The NPD Group: Aftermarket Industry Monitor, BeautyTrends , CREST, FragranceTrack, National Eating Trends, NET, npd.com, NPD Insights, SalesTrac Weekly, Solution Folders, NPD Sports Tracking Europe.