Consumer Attitudes & Behavior

?Changing consumer preferences, market predictions and big data dominated as conversations within the CGT community in 2014, alongside longstanding favorites, including TPM and anything to do with P&G. Before the hustle and bustle of the New Year begins, take a moment reminisce about the trends and challenges we faced in 2014.

Analysts Alexia Howard and April Scee weigh in on the hottest consumer trends, the rise of niche brands and future M&A activity.

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.

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.