Content about Times

February 6, 2013
SymphonyIRI: Merchandising support down across almost half of all categories, new media to blame

With the path to purchase evolving, merchandising has increased across just more than half of CPG categories and declined in 47% of categories, SymphonyIRI Group reported.

CHICAGO — With the path to purchase evolving, merchandising has increased across just more than half of CPG categories and declined in 47% of categories, SymphonyIRI Group reported Tuesday. 

The drug channel has seen the most erosion in merchandising support, with declines in 60% of the categories within the channel in 2012.

January 24, 2013
SymphonyIRI: Due to economy, 1-in-5 consumers choose a product tied to loyalty card discount

One-in-5 consumers between the ages of 35 years and 54 years are choosing products due to a loyalty card discount, SymphonyIRI Group reported Wednesday as part of its fourth quarter 2012 MarketPulse survey.

CHICAGO — One-in-5 consumers between the ages of 35 years and 54 years are choosing products due to a loyalty card discount, SymphonyIRI Group reported Wednesday as part of its fourth quarter 2012 MarketPulse survey. And almost one-third are forsaking their preferred brands due to a sale price. The survey found that shopper sentiment dropped to its lowest point since Q3 2011.

October 9, 2012
Baby boomers’ spending segmented by age

The drug channel has a decent draw among the “silent generation,” the generation of seniors born between 1925 and 1945 who have impressed upon the baby boomers the importance of healthier living in anticipation of better life quality during their own golden years. 


The drug channel has a decent draw among the “silent generation,” the generation of seniors born between 1925 and 1945 who have impressed upon the baby boomers the importance of healthier living in anticipation of better life quality during their own golden years. 


September 14, 2012
SymphonyIRI: Younger boomers shift to dollar channel versus drug in vitamins, internal analgesics

Drug channel retailers hold a lower than average share among younger baby boomers, likely due to a particularly low share across sizeable categories, such as vitamins and internal analgesics, within the younger boomer cohort, SymphonyIRI Group reported Thursday as part of its latest Times & Trends Report, "Baby Boomers: Riding the Wave of Diversity."

CHICAGO — Drug channel retailers hold a lower than average share among younger baby boomers, likely due to a particularly low share across sizeable categories, such as vitamins and internal analgesics, within the younger boomer cohort, SymphonyIRI Group reported Thursday as part of its latest Times & Trends Report, "Baby Boomers: Riding the Wave of Diversity." In contrast, dollar channel spending among younger boomers is above average across each of these categories.

July 11, 2012
SymphonyIRI on reaching millennials: New media savvy but hard hit by economy

At 50 million strong in the United States today, millennials — defined as adults ages 18 years to 34 years — are demonstrating more volatility and showing less fiscal confidence than average shoppers, revealed a SymphonyIRI Group report released Wednesday.

CHICAGO — At 50 million strong in the United States today, millennials — defined as adults ages 18 years to 34 years — are demonstrating more volatility and showing less fiscal confidence than average shoppers, revealed a SymphonyIRI Group report released Wednesday.

January 17, 2012
SymphonyIRI: Shoppers optimistic yet frugal

U.S. shoppers believed that the economy improved in the last six months of 2011 and that growth will continue through the first six months of 2012, but many remain cautious with their spending, according to SymphonyIRI's fourth quarter 2011 MarketPulse survey.

CHICAGO — U.S. shoppers believed that the economy improved in the last six months of 2011 and that growth will continue through the first six months of 2012, but many remain cautious with their spending, according to SymphonyIRI's fourth quarter 2011 MarketPulse survey.

June 30, 2011
Consumers still concerned over state of economy, turn to Internet for deals

Concerns over the health of the economy are far from over, as evidenced by a SymphonyIRI Group survey released Wednesday that found consumers are taking even more steps to save money due to their ongoing financial concerns, including turning to the Internet in search of the best deals.

CHICAGO — Concerns over the health of the economy are far from over, as evidenced by a SymphonyIRI Group survey released Wednesday that found consumers are taking even more steps to save money due to their ongoing financial concerns, including turning to the Internet in search of the best deals.

List making and coupon clipping still are top of mind for consumers as they struggle with high gas prices and question their job stability. Additionally, the survey uncovered that consumers are turning to the Internet to find the best deals, SymphonyIRI said.

June 20, 2011
Digital coupon wave: Clipping to surfing

Couponing is digitizing.


Although printed circulars remain the workhorse of the nation’s coupon distribution system, a growing share of the coupons consumers are handing cashiers are emerging from online distribution sources and are being printed out at home. A smaller but growing segment also is being handled exclusively through electronic means via smartphones and mobile technology.