Michigan is the third largest apple producer in the U.S., but this year growers are picking only 10 to 15 percent of their normal crop. Michigan State University estimates the wholesale value of the missing apples to be $110 million, a hit that is rippling through the regional apple economy. “This spring, 2012, is probably going…
DetailsFor a consumer with household income of $40,000, the 2% increase in the payroll tax represents $800 in reduced spending power per year, according to Symphony Consulting, a business unit of SymphonyIRI Group Inc. This can be the difference between shopping at a lower-cost dollar store versus a mass merchandiser, increasing purchases of a store…
DetailsBeer remained the largest segment of the U.S. adult beverage industry, accounting for more than four-fifths of total alcohol volume, but was challenged by both economic and consumer trends that resulted in a 1.3% decline in 2011, according to food and beverage consultancy Technomic’s 2012 BeerTAB (Trends in Adult Beverage) report. Total beer volume was…
DetailsMonster Beverage will now list the caffeine amount on each can of its energy drinks, a move that is part of an overall label change, the Associated Press reports. Can labels will now contain nutritional information and not supplement data, as Monster follows federal guidelines. The switch comes after increased attention from lawmakers on the…
DetailsIn late January, Visa and MasterCard announced that as a result of a November 2012 federal district court settlement ruling, merchants in the U.S. and U.S. territories were able to add a surcharge to cover their cost of acceptance for certain credit card transactions. Debit and prepaid cards are not eligible for surcharging. The ability…
DetailsOrganic milk sales were up 15% last year, Supermarket News reports. While representing just 3.8% of total milk volume, organic milk continues to gain momentum with consumers, according to Prime Consulting Group. More than half (52%) of organic milk was purchased at natural food stores, while club stores also sold a significant portion (10%). Supermarkets…
DetailsMore than 42% of women who redeem grocery and consumer coupons prefer receiving SMS-based coupons via their mobile phones, according to RadiumOne’s mobile coupon research study, “Improving the Performance of Mobile Coupons.” The survey, which targeted women between the ages of 35 and 54, found that 61.9% redeem grocery and consumer goods retail coupons. Just…
DetailsSnack brands like Dreyer’s/Edy’s ice cream, Hershey’s chocolate, and Lay’s potato chips are trying to solve the dieter’s dilemma by rolling out mid-calorie goodies that have more fat and calories than the snacks of earlier diet crazes, but less than the original versions, reported the Associated Press. They are following the lead of soda companies…
DetailsConsumers are increasingly pessimistic about the economy and gas prices are a growing reason why, according to the results from the monthly NACS Consumer Fuels Survey. Nearly one quarter (23%) of consumers surveyed in a national poll of gasoline purchasers are “very pessimistic” about the economy, a significant increase from the 18% who said that…
DetailsAccording to new Technomic research, foodservice beverage sales rose sharply last year, with 71% of consumers now purchasing beverages away from home twice a week or more, up from 66% in 2010, Marketing Daily reports. As reported in Technomic’s Beverage Consumer Trend Report, more than two-thirds of consumers surveyed said they drank hot coffee (68%)…
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