Forecast 2009
Introduction
There are two realities “out there” now competing for verification among those who think about national affairs and make things happen. The dominant one (let’s call it the Status Quo) is that our problems of finance and economy will self-correct and allow the project of a “consumer” economy to resume in “growth” mode. This view includes the idea that technology will rescue us from our fossil fuel predicament — through “innovation,” through the discovery of ne (more…)
Ten tips to survive the recession
By Rick Spence,
I like to think there are seven stages to an economic recession. The first is overconfidence: “We’re busy as bees. There can’t be a slowdown.” Then comes denial: “Nah, things are fine here.” (This is also known as bending the truth, especially popular among entrepreneurs who are strung out on credit).
Then comes the blame phase: “We wouldn’t even be having this recession if it weren’t for (pick two: the Middle East, Wall Street, the gree (more…)
Let us bend the rules, say organic farmers…
The Organic Brand is in big trouble, is this the beginning of the end for the industry?
Charles Weston, of Brecon, pays more for organic feed, but his lamb no longer sells at a premium
Valerie Elliott, Countryside Editor
Organic farmers have asked the Government for permission to take a “holiday” from strict organic standards in an attempt to survive the recession.
The drastic move by organisations including the Soil Association follows a (more…)
Food Tourism:
This is going to be a big deal…
Summary:
Turning ingredients into meals and creating a food experience will encourage a new generation of tourists, called food tourism.
Food businesses that collaborate together can create a powerful attraction for consumers to move long distances to travel and taste. Here are a few of the UK best:
Read on…
5 of the best Food Trails in the UK:
1. Devon
Exeter sets up a restaurant trail at the first big event of the UK food calenda (more…)
iPhone’s apps are going to change the world!
Big claim – but they will. If you don’t believe me go to an Apple store, or a store that sells iPhones and ask for a demonstration. This latest app now show its power in the food marketing environment. These machines now give you a content rich, cleaver GPS and an user friendly tool to find out about food ideas and places to buy food. It genius is, unlike all thing Microsoft, is its simplicity. iTunes have sold over 300 million apps since July this (more…)
FreshDirect’s B2B Div. Rolls Out ‘Smart Eating at the Office’ Program
Summary:
Fresh produce retailers, this is a simple way to extend you customers base and retail brand. Businesses will pay for this service handsomely and will have a great deal of resonance during the early part of 2009 (for the business that survive and want to get leaner and fitter!)
A FreshDirect EatingWell entrée
FreshDirect At The Office, the B2B division of online grocer FreshDirect, is introducing “Smart Eating (more…)
In the UK the retail grocery market is concentrated with seventy-five percent market share in the hands of just four supermarket chains. The remainder is scattered over hundreds of outlets.
Daily News Alerts
This report overviews the characteristics of UK retail outlets and how best to place US products in the UK market.
Overview
The overall UK grocery market was valued at ?133.3 billion ($213.28 billion) in 2007, an increase of 4.0 percent on 2006.
Groceries account for 12.8 percen (more…)
Consumer behaviour: A new era of frugal living
Author: Nicola Harrison
Summary:
Austerity is the word of the moment. This report identifies key changes in consumer behaviour that point towards a seismic shift in buying attitudes. Retailers around the world are trying to re imagine their brand price image to a more affordable proposition.
I still believe that consumers will resent any compromises in quality of ingredients, letting them economise without compromise is going to be key to main (more…)
Making Smart Marketing Decisions in a No-Budget No-Man’s-Land
Written by Blaine Mathieu
Making Smart Marketing Decisions: You only need to glance at a newspaper headline or catch 30 seconds of CNN news to realize that we are in one of the most challenging economic times in recent history. As the CMO of Lyris, I’ve had to tackle the same tough issues you’re facing at your own businesses, and my company is looking to me to make the smartest marketing decisions during this tough time.
Email-Marketing Tips for a Down Economy
Written by Erick Mott
It’s an open secret that email marketing is the highest ROI tool at a marketer’s disposal. It’s more cost-effective than direct-mail, paid search and a wide array of other tactics. So it’s no surprise that email is seeing even more action than usual now that the economy’s officially in recession and marketing budgets are flat or decreasing. Here are a few tips on what to do – and what not to do – with your email program.
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