Marketing Forecast from Ad-ology

New production technologies are allowing for the addition of omega-3 fatty oils to an expanding number of foods and beverages, imparting the assortment of scientifically backed health benefits to consumers without the unpleasant fishy odor or taste. As essential fatty acids that support cardiovascular, reproductive, immune and nervous system health, omega-3 oils are in demand and the attention is helping to fuel growth in the still maturing industry, according to Packaged Facts.

Residential remodeling activity in March 2011 rose 14% in year-over-year comparisons, according to an index compiled by BuildFax. All regions of the country showed gains with the exception of the Midwest, which posted a decline in remodels. The West posted the largest gains, followed by the Northeast and the South.

According to a new survey from ABI Research, some 24% of the respondents indicated that their highest-priority purchases over the next six months would likely be of HDTVs (24%) and Blu-ray players (17%). About 60% of the households surveyed said they already have one HDTV. Prices for HDTVs have fallen quite a bit, and many households are now replacing their second- and third-string televisions. In terms of “critical/very important” factors in planned purchases, price was either the most cited or second-most for most devices.

New research released recently by the non-profit Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies underscores how American workers are largely unprepared for retirement and, further, how relatively few have a backup plan in the event they are forced into retirement earlier than planned. According to The Center’s research, 40% of respondents now expect to work longer and retire at an older age since the recession began. Altogether, 39% of American workers plan to retire after age 70 or not at all, and over half (54%) of workers plan to work in retirement. Of those who plan on working after retirement or age 65, the most commonly cited reasons are out of necessity (44%).

Over the last several years, the kids’ food and beverage market has been defined by the American public’s growing concern about nutrition and the escalating obesity epidemic. Growth of 40% is expected from 2010 to 2015 for the kids’ food and beverage market, which spans numerous categories and product segments. At more than $2 billion, the frozen foods segment is the largest in the market, accounting for 23% of retail sales.

Wealthy internet users connect with brands on social networks for significantly different reasons than the general population, according to a February 2011 Affluence Collaborative survey. The social networks they use to do so are different, too. Any marketer targeting affluent consumers needs to know not only where to reach that audience, but what appeals to them.