Mitch Barns, President, Greater China, The Nielsen Company
China is one of our fastest growing markets globally. We use our broad range of market research and analytical capabilities to bring our clients the clarity and insight they need to make good business decisions.  One of our priorities is to continuously invest in innovation to improve our capabilities in China.  One example of this is our new R&D center in Beijing.
Innovation is the engine of growth so it is important to continuously invest.  But during challenging economic times, we face a difficult …

Unlike past recessions, few countries have been spared from the economic downturn.  Nielsen’s top industry thought leaders recently discussed how shopping patterns around the world have been affected by economic conditions, how consumer packaged goods manufacturers and retailers are adapting to the new marketplace realities and what lies ahead.
The participants were Todd Hale, Senior Vice President, Consumer & Shopper Insights, Nielsen U.S.; Jonathan Banks, Director, Retail Insights, Nielsen Europe; James Russo, Vice President of Marketing, Nielsen U.S., and; Jean-Jacques Vandenheede, Director, Retail Insights, Nielsen Europe.  Key themes were:
Consumers: It does …

Nielsen today unveiled the Economic Current, a monthly study that will track key consumer and retailing trends on a global, regional and country-wide basis. Using the vast amount of consumer data collected by Nielsen, the Economic Current will serve as a centralized source of information on key consumer topics such as:
• Market Index volume, in terms of unit and country currency change
• Retail channel shifting
• Shopping frequency and spending trends
• Overall consumer confidence
“Nielsen collects and analyzes data on tens of thousands of products around the world. As we were thinking of new …

Surfing is big in Australia — but it’s not limited to the waves.  The online audience there continued to show steady growth in 2008, increasing 3.8 percent from 2007, according to Nielsen.  However, it is clear that the growth has started to slow as that country approaches saturation coverage.  Demographically, audience growth was strongest among those 65 years and older — almost 26 percent.  Females now outnumbered males in the online population (50.19 vs. 49.81) although the average male still uses the Internet more often and for a longer period …

Sales at grocery stores in the UK showed signs of life in January after several months of minimal growth. According to Nielsen, year-over-year sales growth of 6.5 percent was recorded by top grocers.
Interestingly, sales of general merchandise such as homeware, electrical and clothing showed improvement after months of softness. Over 2008, average growth in this category was just over 2 percent; in January 2009, sales grew 4.4 percent.
“Non-foods have struggled in supermarkets for months and it was one of the first categories to suffer as shoppers cut back …

China – one of the world’s fastest growing economies in recent years – has not been immune to the recession sweeping the global economy.  Its export-driven economy has slowed, and unemployment is growing.  The Chinese government has introduced a stimulus package and is encouraging citizens to spend more.  But whether they actually do so may require a change in cultural dynamics.  Without the social safety net of Western countries, the average Chinese family saves about 30 percent of its income (most American families save almost nothing).
How China shifts from an export …

China’s export-driven economy has slowed as a result of the global recession. With a drop in exports and a growing unemployment rate, the Chinese government is urging consumers to spend in order to spur the economy. While various stimulus plans are being investigated, the nation’s success may rely as much on altering cultural dynamics as replacing economic models.

Todd Hale, Senior Vice President, Consumer & Shopper Insights, Nielsen U.S., Jonathan Banks, Director Retail Insights, Nielsen Europe, James Russo, Vice President of Marketing, Nielsen U.S., Jean-Jacques Vandenheede, Director Retail Insights, Nielsen Europe

CI SUMMARY: A shift from nice-to-have to need-to-have assortment and retailing is a common thread across the U.S. and abroad. An interview with Nielsen’s top industry thought leaders reveals how shopping patterns across the world have been affected by the economic downturn, how consumer packaged goods manufacturers and retailers are coping and what lies ahead for the rest …

The worldwide economic slowdown has resulted in a significant decline in consumer spending as retailers of all types have been affected.   But while people may hold on to their cars longer or put off the purchase of a new handbag, they all must eat.  Even grocers are seeing a big change in how consumers are spending their money.  According to new Nielsen research prepared for the BBC, food shoppers are spending their money on more basic items such as white bread, baked beans and other staples.
Sales of standard sliced white …

With double-digit growth across most categories measured, South Africans continued to take to the Internet in 2008, and the profile of those doing so is evolving.
Andrew Felbert, of Nielsen Online, said, “Not only are there more people online in South Africa, but they are spending more time online and viewing more content.  Companies and advertisers wishing to get their products and services in front of consumers can no longer ignore the power of the Internet.”
According to the new research:
•    The number of unique browsers and pages viewed increased by 25% …