As consumers work hard to make their money go further, stores are feeling a hit.  But supercenters are actually benefiting.  Nielsen’s analysis of 2008 unit sales shows that nearly every department in supercenters showed growth, including dairy, dry grocery and prescription drugs.  In fact, the supercenter channel was the only retail channel to post overall unit sales growth, albeit a modest one percent.
“Mass merchandisers and grocery stores are feeling the impact of the supercenter,” said Todd Hale, senior vice president, Consumer & Shopper Insights for Nielsen.  “While the grocery channel …

What do Spam and Ramen noodle sales have in common? Both are leading indicators that it’s crunch time in the aisles of America’s retailers as consumers tighten belts and budgets in response to investment losses and economic uncertainty.

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 …

Credit markets freeze. Financial institutions implode. Economic benchmarks plummet. Consumer spending plunges. Unemployment skyrockets. Bail out plans are unveiled. Global markets fall like dominoes and consumers tighten their hold on wallets. What are a retailer and manufacturer to do? Read on for strategies on how to manage the economic downturn.

Poor people need low prices. Rich people love low prices. Either way, these are happy days for the promotion industry, as manufacturers and retailers update time-proven promotional techniques and unleash a new arsenal of Internet and wireless-based delivery systems.

Once considered a lower-price, lower-quality substitute for name brands, private label products, or store brands, are viewed positively by the majority of U.S. consumers. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of American consumers believe that private label products are good alternatives to name brands according to a new survey by The Nielsen Company. The survey indicates that an improved sense of quality is likely a driving factor for consumers’ positive attitude toward private label products. Sixty-three percent of consumers believe that the quality of the private label brand is as good as name …

Television celebrity chefs have helped to usher in a new wave of home-grown culinary connoisseurs. From best-selling books and top-rated shows, to palate-pleasing provisions, home-style gourmet chefs represent a highly desirable demographic that can help boost ailing retail sales at a time of economic uncertainty. Gourmet cooks not only shop more frequently than the average household, but they also spend more dough at club, grocery, drug and dollar stores.

Todd Hale, Senior Vice President, Consumer and Shopper Insights, Nielsen, will deliver the keynote address at Gourmet Retailer’s ”Retail 20/20″ conference on Friday, August 22 at the Mohegan Sun Resort in Uncasville, Conn.
Hale’s presentation will examine the shopping habits of gourmet consumers and explore strategies retailers can use to target those shoppers.  Hale will also discuss how increasingly blurred retail channels are affecting gourmet houseware and specialty food sales.
Visit the “Retail 20/20″ website to learn more about the conference.