I wonder how many retailers are ready for the changing face of retailing? What do we know about our customers, browsers, and our competitors customers?

Here is a powerful reminder that a real time link to the mind of your customer and market place are critical to your survival in the months to come.

In "Toops Scoops: Culture of the Recession," FoodProcessing.com reveals a change in attitudes that could prove costly for those who assume the patterns of the past few decades are a guide to the future.

Consumers spending less on wellness, more on consumer electronics.

What has the recession wrought? Nearly half (44 percent) of U.S adults report their diets are becoming less healthy as food prices rise, 52 percent buy fewer organic products and 48 percent spend less on health and wellness overall, according to a new study from Faith Popcorn's BrainReserve (http://www.faithpopcorn.com), New York cultural trend tracking firm.

Sonar surveyed 1,011 consumers online (50 percent men and 50 percent women over 21 years of age) between May 29 and June 6 for BrainReserve's “Culture of the Recession” survey. BrainReserve then analyzed the results against 17 cultural trends that it regularly monitors, reports Marketing Daily.

As other recent surveys indicate, Americans are cutting back on everything from food and beverages to out-of-home eating/entertainment to day care. Two-thirds (66 percent) are cutting back on overall spending, while 84 percent are making changes such as reducing shopping trips. Fully 90 percent of women and 79 percent of men (84 percent overall) are “buying less stuff,” and 90 percent are considering opting for a simpler life. .

You should go to the link or to FoodProcessing.com to read the full article.

Christmas is coming, so many retailers will make or break the year in the next 6 months, it will be financially dangerous to get caught out as the winds of the consumer mood change.

I have been saying for months that the mood of the consumer is changing from a WANT mindset to a NEED mindset.

This will heavily influence traffic patterns, choices of retailers, brand selection, basket size and the expectations that most consumers have for the retailer they give their business to.

We help our clients stay close to customers and the market.

For our clients, the market and customers are speaking loud and clear.

Buying patterns are changing and that change will accelerate.

There are better ways to get ahead of your market. I am seeing Retailers who get it, making a difference in their markets.

Martin Hoffmitz