Lower prices for food and other household items are great for consumers, but for retailers, they don’t always achieve the desired rise in sales as the competition is quick to follow.

It’s the economy! Organics enjoyed stratospheric growth in four of the last five years, but the economic crunch took a bite out of that trajectory in 2009.

Driven by a more positive outlook on job prospects and personal finances, Hong Kong consumers are boosting consumption and spending

Mirroring the sentiments of consumers in many other countries, the British are feeling increasingly positive about their job prospects and personal finances but remain cautious

Over the past six months, Canadian consumers have stopped talking about recession and changed the conversation to recovery.

An increase in consumer confidence in Asian markets, as well as Brazil, continues to reflect signs that the economy is emerging from a global recession and, in some markets, the recovery is accelerating.

Nordic consumers have more confidence in the economy and their personal finances than the rest of Europe and are increasingly ready to spend, according to the latest edition of the Nielsen Global Consumer Confidence Survey.

It is now accepted wisdom that the recession has essentially come to an end. And as it recedes, observers are beginning to look at the damage wrought as well as how retailers, manufacturers and consumers changed their behavior. A new report from The Nielsen Company, “Reading the Recession,” reveals how the recession has affected the leading brands, consumer behavior and job vacancies. Using key economic indicators, consumer research, recruitment data, web site measurement and advertising spend, Nielsen has analyzed the impact of the recession on the UK and identified sectors showing early signs of recovery.

With the nation seemingly emerging from recession, American consumers remain skittish about spending their money during this upcoming holiday season.

Consumers around the world have cut back on a range of discretionary purchases to conserve cash.  One area where some Canadians have reduced spending is non-prescription medications, with a quarter of those surveyed changing their buying habits in this category, according to a recent report from The Nielsen Company.  Steps Canadians are taking include using over-the-counter (OTC) meds less frequently (26%), using less than the recommended dosage (13%), buying smaller quantities (10%) or cutting them out altogether (4%). 
As a whole, Canadians are more likely to wait out minor illnesses and …