Marketing Forecast from Ad-ology

April 1 2010 | Shannon Bryant

Desktop sales in February increased 30% in units and 33% in dollars year-over-year, according to new data from The NPD Group. In fact, February marks the third time in the last four months that desktop revenue grew faster than notebooks, and the fifth consecutive month of desktop revenue and unit increases. Average selling prices climbed almost 3% versus February 2009 to $670 and were far above the notebook/netbook ASP of $602. “Desktops have been the surprise consumer technology growth category of 2010,” said Stephen Baker, vice president of industry analysis, NPD. “Desktop growth has come from both PCs and Macs.

April 1 2010 | Jessica Helinski

Ad-ology Research recently updated their Industry Marketing Insights report for Roofing/Siding Contractors. The following are the predicted Top 5 Opportunities/Challenges from the report for this industry for the upcoming 12 months:

* Consumers are increasingly interested in “green” features and materials, as well as businesses that recycle old materials.
* Deteriorating infrastructures are expected to fuel growth.
* The number of U.S. cities with green building programs has steadily increased since 2003 and is expected to continue.

April 1 2010 | Kathy Crosett

Who knew that members of the Greatest Generation shop more frequently than any other age group? But they spend less during each trip and less overall than their younger counterparts. These are just a couple of the intriguing details discussed in Nielsen’s latest Generations report.

April 1 2010 | Kathy Crosett

The continued upheaval in the new home market means builders are looking for every edge when it comes to increasing sales. Often, builders will advertise specific features in new homes and these days, home technology is one of the categories that more builders might consider promoting. The 8th Annual State of the Builder Technology Market Study released by the Consumer Electronics Association indicates there is “positive news in the home technology market.”

March 31 2010 | Jessica Helinski

Ad-ology Research recently updated their Industry Marketing Insights report for Podiatrists. The following are the predicted Top 5 Opportunities/Challenges from the report for this industry for the upcoming 12 months:

* Podiatry is considered one of the fastest-growing fields in healthcare.
* The Center for Disease Control (CDC) predicts that one in three Americans born in 2000 will develop diabetes during his or her lifetime.
* Obesity levels are on the rise.

March 31 2010 | Shannon Bryant

Positioned as a relatively inexpensive luxury, upscale coffee sales continue to thrive even as many other industries suffer from consumer cutbacks on nonessential purchases, according to new research from Packaged Facts. Packaged Facts estimates that total coffee market sales, including foodservice and retail, rose to $48 billion in 2009, with annual growth of 4% in 2008 and 2009. Sales in foodservice-everything from Dunkin’ Donuts’ select blends to McDonald’s medley of McCafé mochas, lattes, and cappuccinos-reached $42 billion, accounting for 87% of the coffee market. Instead of settling for cheap ground coffee, consumers and their growing “coffee connoisseurship” have been willing to make difficult tradeoffs to stay within their means while indulging in premium beverages that provide many with a source of comfort during stressful times.