Store perimeters have been successful in generating growth as a result of grocer innovation to attract more customers; yet, curiously, the center store is showing declines on a same-store basis.

A relief from the heat came in the form of increased consumption of soft drinks in Russia, which increased 24% since last year — a sign of recovering consumer confidence.

The topic of harmonizing data across global markets is not one that consumers think about.  But to consumer product manufacturers, marketers and economists, it is an issue fraught with challenges, as variations in barcodes, brand names, packaging and sizes make it extremely difficult to obtain reliable comparisons from country to country.  Take the simple product chocolate sprinkles:

 
In the U.S. and Belgium, they are used as toppings for cakes or ice cream.  In the Netherlands, however, they are used as a sandwich spread.  Likewise, compote is a dessert in southern Europe …

Already the sixth largest economy in the world, Russia is growing by leaps and bounds, Ilona Lepp of Nielsen Russia’s Retail Measurement Services reports in the September issue of Nielsen’s “Consumer Insight” online newsletter.
According to the 2008 Nielsen Global Consumer Confidence Index, Russia is well ahead of the global average of 88, with an index of 105 for the first half of 2008 — up three points over levels in the first half of 2007.
The Russian market, though still in the early stages of development, already has the largest number …