Consumer Attitudes & Behavior

Only 18 percent of new products are considered highly innovative. Needless to say, true innovation is a feat enjoyed by an elite few each year, and that is why CGT is once again recognizing six consumer goods companies that defied the odds to launch successful new products in 2010/11.

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

Like most small companies, innovation is a vital part of Snack Factory's business strategy for its Pretzel Crisps brand. Here's how the company entered the growing Bold & Spicy category in record time.

Just like in the movies, the use of virtual reality to conduct market research is fast becoming a common practice among consumer product manufacturers and retailers. P&G first began using virtual reality tools in 1997. Today, its virtual solutions program delivers actionable consumer and shopper insights at a fraction of the cost and time spent on traditional market research methods.

NUTRILITE Fruits & Vegetables 2GO Twist Tubes provide the natural antioxidant equivalent of two of the nine to 13 recommended servings of fruits and vegetables a day in a convenient, squeezable tube.

Kimberly-Clark opens research facilities in Colombia and Korea, to focus on delivering essentials for a better life.

The majority of households report worsened finances and anticipate a rising unemployment rate during the year ahead. The sinking economy has made consumers more defensive, favoring spending cutbacks rather using savings or debt.

An overwhelming majority of Walmart shoppers no longer believe that it has the lowest prices. While the world's largest retailer is certainly not going to disappear, it seems to no longer dominate the U.S. retail landscape. Should consumer product companies re-evaluate the way they do business with Walmart?