Consumer Lab

Even chocolate feels bite of slowdown in U.S. - USATODAY.com

Chocolate may be a comfort in troubled times, but even this luxury is
feeling the pinch of slower economic growth in the United States.

Only 61% of men plan to buy a card, for example, compared with 69% last year,
and only 40% will buy candy, compared with 44% last year. Flowers and
perfume–also V-Day standbys–both came in flat, at 49% and 6%, respectively. A
few smaller categories registered slight gains, including fine jewelry (12%,
compared with 10% from last year), lingerie (8%, compared to 6% from last year),
and clothing, up to 7% from 5% last year.

~A

MediaPost Publications - Scrooge, Cupid Hook Up As Recession Bites Romance - 02/11/2008
A NEW SURVEY SHOWS THAT while many retailers are hoping Valentine’s Day might provide a much-needed sales spark, consumer spending may well be more frugal than passionate.

While men say they are planning to spend a little more than last year —$95 compared to $92 in 2007–women are cutting back, and say they intend to plan to spend just $67, compared with $74 last year, reports TNS Retail Forward, a consulting group in Columbus, Ohio.

Powered by ScribeFire.

Introductions of new dark chocolate lines from Mars and Hershey this year have
increased the pressure on the premium chocolate companies such as Ghirardelli,
Lindt and Ferraro Pan.

~A 

MediaPost Publications - Dark Chocolate Introductions Put Pressure On Premiums - 11/07/2007
AS CONSUMERS CONTINUE TO SIFT through data about possible health benefits from dark chocolate and see the premium chocolate as an affordable luxury, chocolate marketers are counting on the segment to continue to fuel growth.

“If you look at the long-term trend, [premium chocolate] has been driving category growth,” says Fabrizio Parini, senior vice president/marketing and retail for Ghirardelli. “Consumers were waiting for high-quality chocolate.”

At a time when overall chocolate sales are as flat as a Hershey bar, customers
are fueling a surge in consumption of dark chocolate. As a result, the number of
new dark chocolate products tripled to 926 last year from 2002 and accounted for
63% of all new chocolate products introduced in 2006.

~A

Dark chocolate captures a marketing sweet spot - Los Angeles Times
Kei Okumura is an unrepentant chocoholic with a preference for the dark side.

The Silver Lake mother of an infant son reduced her chocolate munching during her recent pregnancy, but now she’s back at Trader Joe’s several times a week purchasing bars of dark chocolate.

“I always have two to four bars of different chocolate to nibble on
daily,” said Okumura, who figures she spends about $12 a week on the
candy and has spent as much as $8 on a single bar.

At a time when overall chocolate sales are as flat as a Hershey
bar, customers such as Okumura are fueling a surge in consumption of
dark chocolate, typically characterized by its bitterness and hints of
coffee and berries. And it’s part of a big increase in sales of premium
chocolates as well.

Disney Consumer Products is rolling out two branded colognes–Pirates of the
Caribbean and Buzz Lightyear–that will be targeted to boys 4-11 in Latin
communities. While Disney has had juvenile fragrances in Europe, South
America and Latin America for the last 15 years, the concept is new to the U.S. Will tween Latino boys respond positively?

~A

Smells Like Profit: Disney Eyes Pre-Teen Fragrance Market
NEW YORK — Forget the smell of sweat, grass and dirt. Disney Consumer Products wants young boys smelling their best.

Disney is rolling out Pirates of the Caribbean- and Buzz Lightyear-branded fragrances targeting boys ages 4-11 in Latin communities.

The products, which will retail between $9.95 and $19.95, will reach retail shelves by September in time for the holiday season.

The demand for organic products extends beyond meat and produce. Chocolate has become one of the fastest growing organic products. Chocolate has always been seen as a luxury or indulgence - which may be why people are willing to shell out the extra cash for the higher quality.
C.

Chocolate Is Latest U.S. Organic Heavy - Hitter - New York Times

HICAGO (Reuters) - Organic chocolate sales are booming as more U.S. consumers seeking untreated natural ingredients are choosing the sweet treat to satisfy their cravings, and mainstream companies are entering what was once considered a high-end market.

powered by performancing firefox

Chocolate lovers are snubbing typical childhood favorites in favor of premium
products that carry pedigrees, such as a high cacao content, a lack of
preservatives and, in some cases, even a specific country of origin. And exotic
bonbons and truffles now boast ingredients like olive oil, fig, chili pepper and
even wasabe.

~A

Chocolatiers on gourmet bandwagon - Food Inc. - MSNBC.com
This Easter, don’t be surprised if even the kids aren’t satisfied by those waxy milk chocolate eggs that have long been the mainstay of Easter egg hunts.

These days, more Americans are snubbing typical childhood favorites in
favor of premium chocolates that carry pedigrees such as a high cacao
content, a lack of preservatives and, in some cases, even a specific
country of origin.

Among the ads aimed at children and teenagers, 72 percent are for candy, snacks, sugary cereals or fast food.

~A

Study Says Junk Food Still Dominates Youth TV - New York Times
CAN television ads aimed at children finally go on a healthy diet?

For years, health officials have warned that bombarding children with junk food commercials has contributed to the problem of childhood obesity. Food conglomerates, eager to fend off federal regulation, have made various commitments to improve, including a pledge in December to meet goals for promoting fitness and healthier foods.

Hershey’s is getting ready to launch new bars centering on health benefits. One bar will tout antioxidents while the other with tout whole bean chocolate.

~A

MediaPost Publications - Hershey’s Readies New Antioxidant-Rich Candy Bars - 03/22/2007
THE HERSHEY COMPANY PLANS TO launch Hershey’s Antioxidant Milk Chocolate and Hershey’s Whole Bean Chocolate as the latest in its Goodness Chocolate line.

When you think of Russell Stover chocolates, you think of grandmas. Russell Stover is trying to change that, with a complete image overhaul. More sophisticated lines, upscale flavors and trendy packaging is all part of the new marketing push.

How will consumers respond to the revamping and repositioning of a standard?

~A

Advertising Age - Russell Stover Plans to be a Chic Chocolatier
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) — Want to give your loved one a trendy, exciting and sexy gift for Valentine’s Day? Pick up some Russell Stover candy. Stop laughing. We’ll wait.