Consumer Attitudes & Behavior

Reflecting the rapidly increasing demand for bolder, more intense flavor experiences, the McCormick Flavor Forecast 2015 pinpoints adventurous global tastes on the rise, like Japanese 7 Spice (Shichimi Togarashi), as well as an appreciation for the robust flavors developed in slow-simmered dishes from around the world.

Early reports predict a slow kickoff to the holiday shopping season could bring an estimated 11% drop in sales year over year. Despite gains in online traffic and sales, overall sales were soft this Thanksgiving as the average shopper spent 6.4% less over the long weekend.

Created in 2002, the Innov brand created through this joint venture has not met the development expected by both partners.

CGT Editor Ali Ackerman Orr gives you a sneak peek into the trends and topics discussed in this month's issue.

InformationWeek is following-up on its report on the IT hiring process with some messages from readers.

Looking ahead, Mintel's trends analysts Stacy Glasgow and Jenny Zegler discuss the four key US consumer trends identified by Mintel as the most impactful for 2015 and what this will mean for both consumers and brands in the year ahead. Read on to learn how Get Smart, My Wallet, My Way, Fight for Your Rights and Gender Agenda will impact consumers and brands alike in the coming year.

Coffee chain giants Starbucks and Costa Coffee are leading the way when it comes to engaging with UK social media users, according to the latest Food and Beverage Social Media Benchmark from eDigitalResearch.

Cognitive computing will enable CPG firms to venture out far and plunge into the analytic depths of Big Data at just the right moment in history.