Today's Abstract - F3 June 2009

Facts, Figures, & the Future (F3) e-Newsletter provides the latest consumer data, facts, figures, and trend information. Today's issue features Capture the dollar foods 'sweet spot', Candy, today's low-cost escape, finally hits the wall, Fewer 'soft touches' in toilet tissue sales, and more. As sales of products that are labeled free of high fructose corn syrup approach the $1 billion mark, this trend signals how much of a health concern people feel about the sweetener/shelf life extender. Whether these concerns are justified or not is being debated in the court of public opinion, as scientists and other critics (including sugar growers and marketers) continue to press on with their contentions, and the Corn Refiners Association tries to counter. In a second story, the tale told by alternative snacks data isn't a pretty one about healthful eating in this recession. Consumer spending has been so repressed that consumption of even convenient, on-the-go, good-for-you snacks has largely slowed from the gains of a year ago. Rounding out this issue of F3, the carbonated soft drinks industry might find easier growth globally than in the United States, where competition from other beverages and health concerns surrounding obesity and sweeteners continue to temper performance. Growth goes on, however, due to the resourcefulness of brand marketers who've expanded their flavor profiles, began to add nutrients and herbs to their established beverage brands, and continue to package and merchandise in ways that suit multiple drinking occasions throughout the day.

Facts, Figures, & the Future (F3) e-Newsletter provides the latest consumer data, facts, figures, and trend information. Today's issue features Capture the dollar foods 'sweet spot', Candy, today's low-cost escape, finally hits the wall, Fewer 'soft touches' in toilet tissue sales, and more.

As sales of products that are labeled free of high fructose corn syrup approach the $1 billion mark, this trend signals how much of a health concern people feel about the sweetener/shelf life extender. Whether these concerns are justified or not is being debated in the court of public opinion, as scientists and other critics (including sugar growers and marketers) continue to press on with their contentions, and the Corn Refiners Association tries to counter.

In a second story, the tale told by alternative snacks data isn't a pretty one about healthful eating in this recession. Consumer spending has been so repressed that consumption of even convenient, on-the-go, good-for-you snacks has largely slowed from the gains of a year ago.

Rounding out this issue of F3, the carbonated soft drinks industry might find easier growth globally than in the United States, where competition from other beverages and health concerns surrounding obesity and sweeteners continue to temper performance. Growth goes on, however, due to the resourcefulness of brand marketers who've expanded their flavor profiles, began to add nutrients and herbs to their established beverage brands, and continue to package and merchandise in ways that suit multiple drinking occasions throughout the day.

Facts, Figures & the Future is in its sixth year of publication of providing food retailers and manufacturers with timely information to help meet the needs of our ever changing shopping culture. F3 is delivered FREE to qualified subscribers, the second Monday of each month.
 
Click here to sign up now and read our more recent issue.