Sales & Marketing

Among optimistic and pessimistic shoppers alike, all indications point to continued frugality and conservatism in 2012. From new product development and technology to store layouts and consumer shopping patterns, here are a few trends that CPG marketers need to actively respond to with products and strategies in 2012.

Since implementing the solution from Akamai, Dolce&Gabbana's web site performance has improved nearly six times globally on average.

In the second annual edition of the Review & Outlook Report, CGT taps its most valuable resources almost 80 respected industry experts to recommend realistic actions for managing the big changes ahead of us.

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

Unilever's Open Innovation team launched a new online platform, which asks experts to help the company find technical solutions it needs to achieve its ambition of doubling the size of its business.

The M&A environment for consumer markets companies is primed for a resurgence in the next two to three years, according to KPMG LLP. Nearly 70 percent of respondents in a recent survey expect their companies to make at least one acquisition in 2012, compared with 57 percent in 2011. Here's a recap of recent M&A activity in consumer goods.

The company's global "Banner Sun" potato chip portfolio has grown to more than $10 billion in annual retail sales, anchored by Lay's, the world's largest food brand and the No. 1 potato chip brand globally.

A new contest giving new products an opportunity to win virtual shelf space on Walmart.com has exceeded the retailer's wildest expectations. Consumer enthusiasm proves that @WalmartLabs, Walmart's hub for innovation at the intersection of social, mobile and retail, is on track to lead the next generation of e-commerce.