Marketing Forecast from Ad-ology

With two-thirds of U.S. adults and almost one-third of children and adolescents overweight or obese, a diverse range of consumers are increasingly focused on weight loss and weight maintenance within a broadening context of personal health and lifestyle issues, according to a new report, Weight Management Trends in the U.S., by Packaged Facts. The shift toward weight management and healthy habits as priorities at the forefront of consumer consciousness are expected to gain momentum as the economy improves. Developing foods and beverages that provide satiety, or hunger satisfaction, is projected to be one of the hottest trends in weight management. Such products contain ingredients that enhance feelings of pleasant fullness after eating, helping dieters prevent overeating and/or constant snacking between meals.

As the latest census numbers roll in, some trends are already becoming clear. Writing for the Associated Press, Hope Yen points out that population growth in the U.S. South and West has slowed significantly. People are no longer moving to Las Vegas , Orlando, Phoenix or Atlanta. What’s behind this change?

The mindset of a preschooler is an important consideration when marketing a product or introducing a TV series to this young age group, says Stacey Matthias of market research agency Insight Kids. There are several key components that companies and brands must remember in order to effectively reach 3-5-year-olds, says Matthias: Keep it simple; preschoolers don’t understand sarcasm or subtle humor. Keep it relatable; preschoolers tend to relate to one of three scenarios in advertising: peer-to-peer, nurturer, or nurtured. Keep it beneficial; parents prefer the message to provide some educational benefit. Keep it safe; don’t include references or images that can scare a child.

Fashion is about more than just clothing for Black women. It is an attainable luxury, an integral part of their career success, and a reflection of their achievement, according to new research featured in Marketing To Women. Black women are particularly connected to brands. Half (50%) claim that buying brandname clothing makes them feel good, and 63% will pay more for brands that have demonstrated quality. The vast majority of Black women (70%) plan to buy luxury apparel and shoes in the near future. Retailers can reach out to Black women by connecting with them on a cultural level. In addition, retailer should focus on service, as Black women often have issues with the proper fit.

Social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook provide an opportunity for consumers to both praise and criticize. It is the negative comments, though, that test retailers’ ability to react and manage customer relationships in a timely and effective manner. “To avoid a knee-jerk response, retailers need to take a strategic view of customer relationship management on the social Web,” according to Jeffrey Grau, eMarketer senior analyst and author of the new report “How Retailers Handle Negative Buzz on Social Media Sites.” “Retailers should have a plan in place and respond according to whether the problem is an isolated event or situation, a systemic problem or a personal issue.”

Consumers may be slowly venturing back into restaurants. But they are not spending as much as they did before the recession began. Industry analysts believe that diners are still seeking value and predict that some of the recently observed behavioral changes may endure for the long term.