Progressive Grocer - January/February 2010 - (Page 60)

Nonfoods Extended Flu Season The “swine flu” pandemic gave an early boost to cough and cold sales — and it’s not over yet. corresponding to the height of online chatter, according to Nielsen. From September to October 2009, consumers increased spending per trip on the category 181 percent compared with the same time period in 2008, and the percent of households buying hand-sanitizing products increased 132 percent. Similarly, consumers increased purchases in categories that offered a treatment or prevention benefit.Thermometers, vitamins, cough and cold remedies, orange juice, cleaning products, tea, and soup all reported year-over-year increases, according to Nielsen. Spending on thermometers and cough and cold remedies increased 88 percent and 10 percent, respectively, from September to October 2009 compared with 2008, and the penetration for therwww.progressivegrocer.com By Jim Mansfield, customer development, The Nielsen Company 60 lu season came early this year. In April 2009, confirmed reports from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control revealed a new strain of the flu virus, known as H1N1 and sometimes, inaccurately, as “swine flu.” By June 2009, the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic alert, with over 70 countries worldwide infected. By the first week of November 2009, most developed countries reported widespread infection. Cautious and infected U.S. consumers stocked up on preventive, treatment and sanitizing products at much higher rates than last year. Sales of hand sanitizers in particular increased significantly in April 2009 and then again in October, A H E A D O F W H AT ’ S N E X T The rapid transmission of the virus translated into swift consumer reaction — sparked by a massive online dialogue about the virus among them — and drove increased sales of OTC and related products. • Progressive Grocer • January/February 2010 http://www.progressivegrocer.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Progressive Grocer - January/February 2010

Progressive Grocer - January/February 2010
Contents
Nielsen’s Shelf Stoppers/Spotlight
Progressive Grocer’s Outstanding Independents Awards: Independent Inspiration
Outstanding Regional Retailer: All Together Now
Outstanding Community-based Retailer: Sharing the Vision
Outstanding Independent Wholesaler:Values for Growth
Independents Report: A Lasting Legacy of Leadership and Inspiration
Fresh Perspectives: Spartan’s Fresh Outlook
Produce: Priced to Move
Refrigerated Meat: A Great (Meaty) Start
Frozen Seafood: Reel it In
Beverage Alcohol: Let it Pour
OTC Medications: Extended Flu Season
FutureTech: Going Mobile
Retail Profile: Food Lion: Renewed
GMA Director’s Note: Leading the Charge
Best Practices: A New Approach to Knowledge
Food Marketing Insights: Got Talent?
Upcoming Events: International Eats
What’s Next

Progressive Grocer - January/February 2010