Shopper Intelligence

As the holiday season hits its stride, consumers are poised to spend, according to Deloitte’s recently released Consumer Spending Index.

According to research by food and grocery expert IGD, 85 percent of consumer packaged goods manufacturers have either increased their investment in sustainability or kept it the same during the recession, in spite of the fact that just over two-fifths (42 percent) think the issue isn’t a high-enough area of concern for consumers.

Packed with information, retailer and expert insights, and exclusive PG research, the expanded "Opportunity Knocking" offers in-depth analysis of such crucial issues as shopper traffic, Supplier relationships, merchandiser/marketing strategies, operational trends and competitive threats and retailers' expectations for the balance of 2009. Exclusive Web-only sidebars include pieces on specialty food categories, Internet coupons and how consumers are coping with the economic downturn. Click here for more information

Women ages 20 to 30 represent a $54 billion marketing opportunity for packaged goods companies, but their needs and values are vastly different from the generation before them, a new report from Information Resources, Inc. (IRI) has found.

As part of a cooperative marketing campaign, Sargento Artisan Blends Parmesan shredded natural cheese and Bertolli Pasta Sauce are touting themselves as two key ingredients in a recipe for Tuscan Sausage and Three Peppers Lasagna.

Nearly half of food and beverage category shoppers and almost 60 percent of health/beauty and household goods category shoppers buy their favored brand even when a cheaper alternative is available, with many shoppers using coupons and price promotions to justify the more expensive purchase, according to initial findings of a shopper marketing study from the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), global management consulting firm Booz & Co., and online consumer community SheSpeaks.

When it comes to alcoholic beverages, there will still be a good amount of holiday cheer in the coming months.

The weak economy could use a little mothering as it struggles to recover. But new reports on the consumer behavior of American mothers suggest marketers had better not count on free-and-easy spending by this crucial constituency.