Articles

30.6.2010 Consumers turn back to brands in US

Many shoppers in the US are now displaying stronger preferences for specific brands than was the case last year, although a large number of consumers remain cautious. RetailingToday, the industry title, has released the results of its annual survey of popular spending habits in America, which has been conducted every year for over two decades.

Its Top Brands study revealed that in 13 of 17 categories, including snacks, confectionery, grocery, electronics and toys, participants were exhibiting greater attachment to their favorite products.

The other four sectors – beverages, photo and film, cosmetics and health and beauty – saw scores on this measure either hold steady or fall very slightly.

Elsewhere, respondents routinely expected to find well-known goods made by firms like Coca-Cola, Nike, Sony and Kellogg's to be available when they visited big stores.

Contributors' requirements of retailers were actually close to reaching a peak when it came to the range of national brands they believed should command a place on their shelves. As such, moves by chains like Wal-Mart to delist certain premium offerings that are deemed to be under-performing are unlikely to receive a positive response from customers.

B.L. 30.6.2010