The questions — and our executives' and analysts' responses — illuminate some of the important ways we're expanding our offerings to help you make better, fact-based decisions.
March 2006 Issue 40
Consumer Perspective
Source: The NPD Group
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
Mobile Entertainment Summit
Las Vegas, NV
NPD Research Director Mobile Content, Drew Hull, speaking
Event Web Site
May 9-10, 2006
National Hardware Show
Las Vegas, NV
NPD Director, Home Improvement, Mark Delaney, speaking
Event Web Site
Insights Mission
LeapFrog Enterprises
LeapFrog Enterprises designs and markets educational products that incorporate technology and proprietary content to create innovative, engaging learning experiences for kids of all ages. Part of LeapFrog’s success is its thorough understanding of the competitive toys marketplace and its own position within the educational toys niche. LeapFrog Enterprises Vice President, Marketing Research, Craig Spitzer, Ph.D., recently told us he believes NPD information and insights are critical to evaluating and improving market share.
Locating Misplaced Reports and Fields in PowerView
A common call we get at the Help Desk is from users who cannot find work they have saved in PowerView, including reports, measures and other user fields. This could happen if you receive a new PC or reinstall the PowerView program. If you find yourself in this situation, follow these easy steps to locate your saved files:
Defying Business Customs
Japan’s second-largest convenience store chain backs off round-the-clock hours
By Takayuki Fujiyoshi
Foreign visitors to Japan often are stunned by the country’s ubiquitous convenience stores. In fact, there are more than 40,000 convenience stores in Japan; c-store retailer Seven-Eleven Japan, with 10,000 doors, is the country’s largest retailer. In general, the stores are small, but they carry as many as 2500 items and can be found everywhere in Japan: in large cities, roadside in more remote locations, inside office buildings, at train stations, near beaches, in the mountains and in hospitals.
Japan’s second-largest convenience store chain backs off round-the-clock hours
By Takayuki Fujiyoshi
What's Hot?
NPD In The News
Newsweek (March 27, 2006)
"Manufacturers know not everyone looks good in low-rises," says Marshal Cohen, retail analyst for the NPD Group. "They hope more-wearable styles will fuel continued growth." Women—especially those with ample bodies—are ready to buy that.
Style: Prisoners Up Above, “Nifty-Gifties” Down BelowThe New York Times (March 12, 2006)
There's a tremendous amount of potential to sell what I call the nifty-gifties," said Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst for the NPD Group, a market research firm. "You have a captive audience, even with the visitors," he added. Forget boutique stores. "Think of it as more of an upscale airport gift shop.
NPD: Feb. Video Game Sales Drop Five PercentBusinessWeek Online (March 10, 2006)
Market research firm NPD Group said on Friday that February video game sales dropped 5 percent from last year, as gamers held out on purchases until next-generation consoles from Sony and Nintendo are released. The year-over-year comparisons were challenging, since there were unusually strong game sales during the first quarter last year, according to NPD analyst Anita Frazier.
NARM Report Reveals Opportunities to Bolster Sales of Physical Music Products in an Increasingly Digital World
As the music industry continues to confront shifts in the way consumers acquire music and competition from other forms of entertainment, a new study conducted for the National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) by The NPD Group reveals that there are opportunities in the near-term to increase sales among an active group of consumers who still purchase physical music products.
Entertaining Today: Family Tops Guest List While Celebrities Provide Inspiration
Most Americans entertain between one and four times per year, focusing on family members and drawing inspiration from celebrities, according to a new study from leading consumer and retail information company, The NPD Group. The study, Entertaining: For the Holidays and Beyond, also found that today’s most frequent entertainers are younger and more affluent than those who entertain less frequently.
Americans Eat Fish Despite Mixed Messages About Health Effects
According to leading consumer and retail information company, The NPD Group, high awareness and concern levels of harmful contaminants in fish/seafood are not causing people to omit those foods from their diets. In fact, NPD’s recent data from its Food Safety Monitor reveals that 67 percent of people are aware and concerned about mercury in fish/seafood, yet of those who do eat fish, 28 percent plan to eat more of it in the next month.
As the music industry continues to confront shifts in the way consumers acquire music and competition from other forms of entertainment, a new study conducted for the National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) by The NPD Group reveals that there are opportunities in the near-term to increase sales among an active group of consumers who still purchase physical music products.
Most Americans entertain between one and four times per year, focusing on family members and drawing inspiration from celebrities, according to a new study from leading consumer and retail information company, The NPD Group. The study, Entertaining: For the Holidays and Beyond, also found that today’s most frequent entertainers are younger and more affluent than those who entertain less frequently.
According to leading consumer and retail information company, The NPD Group, high awareness and concern levels of harmful contaminants in fish/seafood are not causing people to omit those foods from their diets. In fact, NPD’s recent data from its Food Safety Monitor reveals that 67 percent of people are aware and concerned about mercury in fish/seafood, yet of those who do eat fish, 28 percent plan to eat more of it in the next month.
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.