Reports: Latest

Report

Secret menus

Foodie blogs have carried whispers of off-menu dishes for years, but interest in these secret items is becoming more mainstream. What position should brands assume when dealing with mythical menus?

Report

Supermarket shopping in the States

Consumers remain on edge as unemployment in the US is at a high level and incomes remain flat, but food and petrol prices are an increasing chunk of their budgets. How have supermarkets adjusted to price-conscious consumers?

Report

Immigrants and identity

Globalisation has resulted in the drawing together of various diverse and disparate cultures, even as people themselves move further apart. But territory and country of origin are still defining aspects of an individual’s identity.

Report

Truth in pictures

Images can have an extraordinarily powerful, long-lasting impact. A dramatic example of this is a recent advertising campaign in New York, which virtually shamed consumers into eating and drinking more healthily.

Report

Wine and millennials

Young wine drinkers account for a significant proportion of wine consumption in the UK, but seem to lack engagement with or knowledge of the topic. There's a big gap in the UK market for some savvy brand positioning, concludes Ella Majava.

Report

Kawaii kappe: Japanese farming’s youthful new look

Beyond hobby farming on city allotments, Japan's young people are returning to agriculture as a viable career choice, spurred on by cool cultural products, a stagnant job market and smart government initiatives.

Report

The proof’s in the pudding: how functional foods are evolving

Private sector interest in functional foods has soared as consumers take more responsibility for their own health. The new breed of products bridges the lucrative gap between food and pharma, with a focus on optimised health and wellness.

Report

Food culture in Latin America

Ed Stocker hones in on mid-market food culture in Mexico City and Buenos Aires. Despite the wealth of establishments on offer, diners have limited choices – but this is starting to change with influence from the US.

Report

A welcome break? Motorway food in the UK

Driven by the Slow macrotrend, the UK’s ‘motorway mindset’ is shifting. We explore the French approach to roadside dining and map out opportunities for smartphones in changing the market.

Report

How Jaegermeister got in with Spain’s hipsters

The recent success of Jaegermeister in Spain is a beautiful story. It's a tale of sex, alcohol and rock and roll – or, if you prefer, a for once decent use of brand ambassadors to win over a hostile market.

Report

Not so Quick: fast food in France

The ideas of food and Frenchness are so intrinsically linked in the global mindset as to border on stereotype. So how is it that McDonald's France is the second biggest global earner after the US? We dig in to this apparent cultural anomaly.

Report

New aesthetic and emotional food values

Dining out is an attainable luxury which spawned a new consumer group, one who will choose The French Laundry over a new Prada handbag. Kristina Dryza identifies some of the new aesthetic and emotional values being appreciated by food lovers.

Report

Brand publishing and owning the customer experience

As more consumers tweet about their experiences, brands risk losing control of their message. Is this a bad thing? Trevor Lloyd Jones examines the meaning and implications of the shift from passive to active consumption.

Report

Consuming beauty: the nutricosmetics market

The burgeoning field of nutricosmetics looks set to gain considerable traction in Western and emerging markets. Two industry experts identify the consumer drive behind the trend and outline the opportunities for brands.

Report

New London breweries quench local thirst

Bigger is no longer better in the UK capital. Consumer enthusiasm for authentic, local products has seen a boom in the variety of real ales and home-distilled spirits on offer at pubs in the city.

Report

Niche knowledge, niche products and small touches

Niche knowledge heightens love for, and fascination with, a product. Kristina Dryza examines the ways in which brands can benefit from an obsession with detail and an eye on the niche demographic.

Report

Healthy eating: the honest opportunity for brands

Despite this age of austerity, when it comes to food, healthy eating is still top of consumers’ agenda. For brands this is an opportunity to build trust and long-term relationships with consumers.

Report

Healthy confectionery

According to the National Confectionery Association's (NCA) recent report Confectionery Industry Trend 2009, health minded trends are what drive new product development in the confectionery industry.

Report

Growing local, foraging and the rise of the co-op

Consumers of organic food are loathe to give it up, regardless of cost. What this means, says Ysanne Spevack, is the rebirth of resourcefulness in the US and UK: growing your own, foraging, and co-op schemes with friends and neighbours.

Report

Thai consumers prefer local food when eating out

A global survey by market research firm Nielsen has revealed some interesting facts about the eating habits of Thai consumers.  The online survey showed that more than half (57%) of Thais prefer time-honoured domestic foods when dining out.