Consumers have re-learned how to shop and in the process re-shaped the playing field for both consumer products marketers and packaged goods retailers. These times have made it necessary for Canadians to rethink and adjust their shopping patterns, which has resulted in a more strategic, informed and even calculating approach to a shopping game previously driven by impulse, advertising responsiveness and the fundamental attractiveness of brands.
In addition, this new shopping approach is generally based on spending less as approximately two out of three people do not feel like they are sacrificing much. In fact, 79 percent reported feeling smarter about the way they shop versus two years ago. Moreover, consumers have embraced a persistent mindset, which they will remain cautious and keep spending at their current level, even as the economy improves.
Watching store fliers has also become somewhat of a pastime and a key strategic approach for consumers to meeting their objective. There is an increasing preference for shopping only for sale items.
The delaying a purchase until the “right deal” comes along consumers are also considering different brands. According to a recent survey, three out of four people are more open to trying private label and store brands than two years ago. Consumers don’t believe they are sacrificing when buying store brands, with 85 percent saying they have found several brands that are just as good as national brands. In fact, 80 percent of those surveyed believe that most store brands are manufactured by the traditional national brands.
--------------------
The Vancouver Canucks are proud to announce that the inaugural First Strides event of the 2010-11 season will be hosted in West Kelowna, BC at Royal LePage Place. This event will be held on Tuesday, September 14th as part of the Canucks visit to Penticton and the Okanagan region for rookie camp and training camp.
The First Strides program is open to 72 registered BC Hockey initiation and novice players aged six to eight for both boys and girls. Participating players will be working side by side with qualified BC Hockey course conductors and local minor hockey coaches where they will develop fundamental hockey skills along with learning the important concepts of fair play, fitness, safety, team work and employing a positive attitude. Registration information can be found on Canucks.com/firststrides.
For more information on other programs offered by the Canucks Centre for BC Hockey please go to Canucks.com/grassrootshockey or call 604-899-7770.
--------------------
Tim Hortons announced it will broaden its initial 2010 plans for up to 60 co-branded Cold Stone Creamery locations and will add the ice cream parlour to another 20 to 25 Tim Hortons stores. I saw one in the Mission store the other day.
Tim Hortons already operates 63 co-branded locations in Canada and 70 in the U.S.
Tim Hortons has about 500 stores in the U.S. and has announced plans to open an additional 300 stores there by 2013. It has over 3,000 Canadian locations under its banner.
--------------------
Ever think about where your donation dollars go?
We all try to do what we can to support various charities, but have you ever taken the time to consider how that money is spent? Unfortunately, many fundraisers spend a substantial amount of money on promoting and running the event that the actual cause doesn't get as much in the end. If you have some time, check out your preferred charities at the Revenue Canada website (http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/chrts-gvng/lstngs/menu-eng.html). By doing some expense/revenue calculations you may be surprised at how much of the money raised is spent on administration and advertising. Doing this research reveals some charities with an administration percentage over 40%.
Kelowna residents, Shane and Lisa Worman, are proud to support the Terry Fox Foundation as it boasts one of the lowest administration percentages of any charity in Canada. 87 cents of every dollar raised goes directly to cancer research of all types. To keep expenses down, the Terry Fox Run is organized by dedicated volunteers. With a ZERO budget to put on the event, these volunteers rely heavily on the support of the community to promote and provide supplies for the Run. If you are interested in participating in the 30th Annual Terry Fox Run, go to (www.terryfox.org) or call 1-888-836-9786.
--------------------
A new report from Packaged Facts predicts that consumer spending on breakfast at restaurants will rebound from an anticipated downturn in 2010, as current value menu pricing strategies influence future spending habits.
Packaged Facts expects McDonald's foray into $1 breakfast menus to create pressure among other players to match its lead.
The bottom line is low cost resonates with restaurant breakfast users, with 31% of survey respondents claiming they have been influenced by a maximum $3 price when selecting a restaurant for breakfast, vs. 16% who set a $10 limit.
The latest word on the breakfast trade is that prices of breakfast fare in restaurants is going to rise because the cost of every item on the plate is going up.
--------------------
Terrific ads from Real Canadian Superstore in their “Grown Close To Home” with fresh food grown in Western Canada. The items all looked good and were certainly priced competitively. I went to have a look at the store level because we just don’t see enough of this type of advertising and promotion for our farm industry. There was something from everywhere, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and B.C. The store was stocked and the produce looked great. I can say the same for some of the other stores who are still carrying U.S. product along with some international. I saw some Chinese apples on my journey.
I know it will never be enough for some but give them a hand at Real Canadian Superstore - they are trying and it is working.
The views expressed are strictly those of the author and not necessarily those of Castanet. Castanet does not warrant the contents.
Previous Stories
- John Thomson's I Didn't Know That! Jan 16
- John Thomson's I Didn't Know That! Dec 5
- John Thomson's I Didn't Know That! Nov 28
- John Thomson's I Didn't Know That! Nov 21
- John Thomson's I Didn't Know That! Nov 14
- John Thomson's I Didn't Know That! Oct 31
- John Thomson's I Didn't Know That! Oct 24
- John Thomson's I Didn't Know That! Oct 17
- John Thomson's I Didn't Know That! Oct 10
- John Thomson's I Didn't Know That! Oct 3
- John Thomson's I Didn't Know That! Sep 26
- John Thomson's I Didn't Know That! Sep 19
© 2024 Castanet.net