“According to exclusive research for this report, two fifths of ready meal users do not plan to change their purchasing habits in the wake of the horse meat adulteration scandal. For the frozen ready meals segment, however, there has been a marked effect for implicated brands, while one in ten ready meal buyers plan to avoid frozen ready meals as a result. More pertinently for the long-term future of the wider sector, the scandal is likely to ingrain current scepticism of prepared meals’ content and further alienate lucrative (and growing) user groups such as over-55s and ABs.”

– Amy Price, Senior Food & Drink Analyst

Some questions answered in this report include:

• What is the impact of the horse meat adulteration scandal?
• How can the industry overcome the health barrier facing prepared meals?
• How can the market provide a convenient solution to home cooking?
• What NPD opportunities are there for ethnic meals?

“One of the most common deterrents to buying a holiday home is the concern over lack of holiday variety - having to visit the same place all the time. The key is to persuade potential buyers of the virtues of trading variety for depth: the benefits of developing roots in a place they love and of finding the authentic experience of another landscape and culture that many of today’s holidaymakers crave.”

– John Worthington, Senior Analyst

Some questions answered in this report include:

• How can vendors more effectively promote holiday property to potential buyers?
• Would-be buyers are understandably more cautious than in pre-recessionary times. How can vendors help?
• What is the potential for shared ownership of overseas holiday homes?
• With the place in the sun dream now more than ever just the preserve of wealthy consumers, is there an affordable alternative?
• Has the image and reputation of timeshare improved?

“Consumers lack a thorough understanding of what income protection products offer, which is hampering growth in the market. Insurers need to simplify their product and work together in order to identify ways of educating people about income protection. They also need to rebuild trust that has been damaged as a result of the PPI scandal and a lack of transparency.”

– Stephanie Absolom – Financial Services Analyst

Some questions answered in this report include:

• How can awareness of income protection be increased?
• Will the state benefit review change the way people think about protection?
• How can income protection be made more attractive to consumers?
• Can income protection escape the association with PPI?
• Will short-term income protection be the saviour of the industry?

“While the wedding market has returned to modest growth, a smaller share of the population is choosing marriage and more opting to cohabitate without commitment instead. Industry players will need to look beyond the traditional parameters of weddings to attract marriage holdouts. Other avenues for market growth include answering other pressing issues—namely, alleviating stress associated with wedding planning and leveraging expert guidance to create a meaningful, customized wedding.”

– Fiona O’Donnell, Senior Analyst, Lifestyles and Leisure

Some questions answered in this report include:

• Could redefining the idea of weddings help attract marriage holdouts?
• How can marketers help alleviate the stress of planning a wedding?
• How can wedding planners demonstrate value?
• How can local wedding industry players compete with the lure of a destination?

“The sheer number of facial skincare products, claims, and benefits can create confusion for consumers when shopping the category, potentially deterring them from trying new products. Innovative retailing and marketing strategies to help consumers better navigate this overwhelming category may offer a fresh approach to facial skincare.”

– Shannon Romanowski, Beauty & Personal Care Analyst

Some questions answered in this report include:

• What are the opportunities to help consumers better navigate the facial skincare category?
• How are multi-functional skincare products such as BB creams impacting the facial skincare category?
• How will more stringent regulations regarding claims coming out of the EU potentially impact the U.S. facial skincare market?

“Opportunities exist for premium products that offer longer-lasting results. This includes products that leave a coating on surfaces to help slow the build-up of dirt, grease or dust as well as for carpet/upholstery cleaners that offer longer-lasting freshening. Making people feel that the benefits of cleaning will last for longer than a few days could actually encourage more people to buy specialist products.”

– Richard Caines, Senior Household Care Analyst

Some questions answered in this report include:

• How can specialist products compete with multipurpose alternatives?
• How can more people be encouraged to clean carpets and sofas?
• Can home maintenance become a bigger theme for specialist products?
• What new product features are most likely to appeal?
• How can brands in polishes maximise sales potential?

“The oral care market can expect to see growth in the coming years due to consumers’ regular usage of these products along with a lack of competitive alternatives. However, this market does have some issues it will need to address. In some segments, private label offerings are slowly starting to grab market share from branded offerings; toothbrush sales have been stagnant for several years, and consumers have come to expect more from their oral care products. Market players will need to explore ways to refocus consumers’ attention on branded offerings, methods of reinvigorating toothbrush sales, and new product benefits that consumers will be willing to pay for.”

– Gabriela Mendieta, Home & Personal Care Analyst

Some questions answered in this report include:

• How can market players reinvigorate interest in branded offerings and reclaim their share?
• How can market players reinvigorate sales in the stagnant toothbrush category?
• What are some new areas of benefit exploration for companies and brands to pursue to deliver greater value to consumers?

Mintel and the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT) have collaborated to produce the tenth annual State of the Industry Report – The Market, following the first report published in May 2004. The purpose of this report is simply to show changes in the industry as a whole, and in the specific segments included here.

Specialty foods are broadly defined for this report as products that have limited distribution and a reputation for high quality. These items continue to gain in popularity—and are easier to find in all kinds of outlets—as the American consumer has developed a more sophisticated and discerning palate.

This report encompasses three years of sales data (2010, 2011, and 2012) across 59 segments (though most often the tabulated data captures the primary 51 segments), and discusses the positive and negative factors that may have a bearing on each segment’s future growth or decline. Also, as in previous years, included in this report is a comprehensive look at distribution channels within the specialty food trade, from importer and broker to retailer.

“The arts and crafts industry has room to grow in the U.S. To increase involvement, marketers must appeal to more consumers by positioning handmade items as conducive to financial, personal, and social gain. The most likely artists and crafters are those who can either save or make money by making handmade goods, and bond with children and other family members or friends. Pushing a message of uniqueness is also important, as consumers who invest the time and money into making arts and crafts are likely to want to know that the things they create can’t just as easily be bought in stores. Those who can clearly see the sentimental as well as financial value of handcrafted goods will be the most inclined to want to make them.”

– Gretchen Grabowski, Travel & Leisure Analyst

Some questions answered in this report include:

• What kinds of arts and crafts are consumers making?
• What inspires consumers to make arts and crafts?
• Can marketers make arts and crafts work more appealing?

“No longer are gift registry creators universally seeking to equip their homes with the essentials for fancy at-home entertainment, but rather are using registries to upgrade items they already have or get gift cards for use at their favorite retailers.”

– Ali Lipson, Retail Analyst

Some questions answered in this report include:

• How can traditional retailers compete with the growing popularity of universal registries?
• What role do wedding registries play in an age when most engaged couples cohabitate prior to marriage?
• Can retailers convince consumers that more life events are registry-worthy?

“With closures slowing, the now-streamlined pub industry is better placed to take control of its own fortunes and focus on its strengths rather than looking for people to blame for its recent problems.”

– Chris Wisson, Senior Drinks Analyst

Some questions answered in this report include:

• What impact will the 2013 budget changes have on pubs?
• Could pub closures be a blessing in disguise?
• How can pubs improve their use to the community?
• How can the leased/tenanted market improve its performance?

“U.S. Census Bureau data show a 2.7% decline in population of children younger than five from 2008-13, signaling a shrinking market for baby food and drink. Innovative packaging and new formats that can make baby food and drink products appealing to babies longer will help counter losses in sales due to fewer babies being born.”

– Sarah Day Levesque, Food Analyst

Some questions answered in this report include:

• What can the industry do to counter the effects of declining birthrates?
• What role does nutrition play in the baby/toddler food market?
• How can the industry address concerns over product safety?

“Consumers see online channels as a starting point for financial advice, but believe that online services lack the professionalism, expertise or authority associated with IFAs or bank-based advice services.”

– Deborah Osguthorpe, Head of UK Financial Services Research

Some questions answered in this report include:

• Does the ‘independent advice’ label matter post-RDR?
• Are consumers willing to pay for financial advice?
• Will online tools fill the advice gap created by the RDR?
• What do consumers look for from financial advice services?

“Alcohol consumption at home or someone else’s home has become more commonplace in the wake of the recession. However, the slow economic recovery has seen some consumers return to on-premise alcohol consumption, which is slated to continually lessen the sales lead maintained by off-premise channels. Thus, more should be done to encourage consumers to feel comfortable drinking at home, such as education about new products, sharing recipes for entertaining, and presenting the occasional serving as a way to unwind—alone or with friends.”

– Jennifer Zegler, Beverage Analyst

Some questions answered in this report include:

• How can marketers give consumers reasons to drink at home?
• Is there potential to balance on- and off-premise sales and appeal?
• How do emerging segments or new products achieve retail sales?
• What can be done to stop consumers from cutting back on alcohol?

“One way to help increase usage of frozen meals is to better position them as convenient and affordable ways to try new types of cuisines. Only 21% of respondents say frozen meals are a good way to try new cuisine types, Mintel’s survey finds, suggesting untapped potential for introducing consumers to brands’ more exotic flavors and dishes, such as ethnic and vegetarian meals.”

– John N. Frank, Category Manager, Food and Drink Reports

Some questions answered in this report include:

• Can brands position their products as ways to try new cuisines?
• Should brands offer/promote a full serving of vegetables in their meals?
• Is it possible to make frozen meals less expensive?
• Should single-serve frozen meals come in two sizes?

“Brands need to ensure that children, who are less likely to have a credit or debit card, are able to access and enjoy the benefits associated with e-commerce. Physical gift cards are the primary vehicle used by children for adding the funds needed to purchase apps or digital content such as music and video and brands need to shift consumer perceptions away from gift cards being presents and towards them being a regular consumer purchase, lest they risk not being able to capitalise on the consumption habits of children.”

– Harry Segal, Research Analyst

Some questions answered in this report include:

• How can brands address concern over the health risk posed by using technology devices?
• How will the changing role of consoles affect parental concerns?
• How will the shift towards digital delivery affect the youth market?
• How can brands use children to gain traction among older consumers?

“Key to keeping the dishwashing products category on a growth track is keeping consumers focused on added benefits and new features rather than price comparisons. A steady stream of new products promising superior performance and a pleasant dishwashing experience will help to keep consumers engaged with the category.”

– John Owen, Senior Household Analyst

Some questions answered in this report include:

• How do consumers measure value in the market?
• How important are sensory benefits in dishwashing liquids?
• Could more consumer education benefit the dishwasher detergent segment?
• What new opportunities are there for dishwashing product brands to strengthen the connection with consumers?

This report will give you fast, easy access to robust information from analysis and critical recommendations – so you can make the right decisions, at the right time. It will challenge routine thinking by providing you with fresh, new perspectives that energize your thought process.

Using primary research and multiple secondary data sources only a Mintel report will provide you with the complete picture. You’ll get detailed reports and analysis with easily digestible visual summaries with a downloadable PowerPoint presentation.

“Consumer tastes have become more sophisticated, and they are increasingly searching for new specialty beverages that offer a unique experience. However, a greater focus on health aspects of sugary beverages and their link to obesity is affecting the market and causing shifts in menuing and the promotion of beverages.”

– Bethany Wall, Foodservice Analyst

Some questions answered in this report include:

• How do health concerns influence beverages?
• How can operators appeal to the rising complexity of consumer tastes?
• How can operators meet new needs as the role of drinks shift?
• How can operators entice consumers away from ready-to-drink options?

“The condition and appeal of the nightclub sector appears to be slowly deteriorating, particularly amongst over-25s. Clubs may well be forced to re-invent their proposition, as over-reliance on 18-24s and students is dangerous should volume projections for the next few years hold true.”

– Paul Davies, Senior Leisure Analyst

Some questions answered in this report include:

• How much of a threat are hybrid bar imitations?
• Do clubs need to appeal to a wider demographic?
• How can clubs increase spend per head?
• What can clubs do to change consumer perceptions of long queues and high prices?

“Most Chinese consumers wash their dishes by hand on a daily basis, so beyond cleaning power consumers are looking for more products that are skin-safe, environmentally friendly, provide added hygiene through antibacterial action and are convenient to use.”

– Matthew Crabbe, Director of Research, Asia-Pacific

Some questions answered in this report include:

• How are consumer's dishwashing habits determining product use?
• Does product effectiveness remain a key purchasing factor?
• Do additional selling points create a competitive advantage?
• How are dishwashers perceived by the consumer?

“Online retailing has recently become the fastest growing channel within the retail market in China. Because it is growing so fast, with so many new entrants coming into the market all the time, it is still in a highly dynamic stage of development and will continue to see a great deal of new innovation as companies attempt to build a lasting presence in the market.”

– Matthew Crabbe, Director of Research, Asia-Pacific

Some questions answered in this report include:

• How did the rapid growth of online retailing surprise the retailers?
• How can online retailers compete in the retail market?
• Are current payment systems and delivery sufficient enough to keep up with demand?
• How are online retailers utilising consumers' mobile access?

“Critically, only 30% of parents trust organic baby food over non-organic, suggesting the label is not doing enough to justify a price premium. Furthermore, agreement falls to 24% of parents with a youngest child aged under six months, suggesting that failure to win over these young parents could hinder future growth in organic baby food.”

– Alex Beckett, Senior Food Analyst

Some questions answered in this report include:

• How can manufacturers improve parents’ trust in pre-made baby food?
• How can organic brands increase engagement among parents of babies/toddlers?
• Which NPD areas offer potential in baby drinks?
• How can manufacturers benefit from the baby-led weaning trend?

“This is a market driven by bonding, showing affection and expressing feelings towards others. But in today’s world of instant communications the conventional greetings card is being joined by a plethora of new ways to affirm these emotions. While, for now, many consumers stay loyal to the old-fashioned card through the letterbox, the signs are that things will change. And the convention of choosing a tangible gift is giving way to opting for giving money, vouchers or gift experiences – people are even delivering that gift via social media. The card and gift retailers of today need to move with the times, embracing change and innovation in order to remain relevant to tomorrow’s consumer.”

– Jane Westgarth, Senior Market Analyst

Some questions answered in this report include:

• Are people using online methods to convey greetings?
• Is online shopping shaping the way we shop for gifts?
• Is the economic squeeze affecting purchasing habits?
• How are consumers responding to personalised cards and gifts?
• Is there a future for independent retailers in cards and gifts?

This report will give you fast, easy access to robust information from analysis and critical recommendations – so you can make the right decisions, at the right time. It will challenge routine thinking by providing you with fresh, new perspectives that energize your thought process.

Using primary research and multiple secondary data sources only a Mintel report will provide you with the complete picture.

The Chinese outbound market has become a potent force within the global tourism industry. This report will give you fast, easy access to robust information from analysis and critical recommendations – so you can make the right decisions, at the right time. It will challenge routine thinking by providing you with fresh, new perspectives that energize your thought process.

Using primary research and multiple secondary data sources only a Mintel report will provide you with the complete picture. You’ll get detailed reports and analysis with easily digestible visual summaries with a downloadable PowerPoint presentation.

This report will give you fast, easy access to robust information from analysis and critical recommendations – so you can make the right decisions, at the right time. It will challenge routine thinking by providing you with fresh, new perspectives that energize your thought process.

Although gap-year travel is a relatively new segment within the tourism industry, it has grown and diversified since the mid-1990s. This tourism genre is largely comprised of students – known as gap-year travellers, or ‘gappers’ – taking a year off from study between school and university. However, the definition has broadened in recent years to include graduates or postgraduates taking an extended break between completing university and entering the workforce, ‘career gappers’ taking time out during their working career, and ‘later-life gappers’ such as retirees who embark on a prolonged period of travel.

The retail sector remained challenging in 2010, although generally speaking it enjoyed a narrow recovery on the much harsher climate in 2009. January aside, which was impacted by the bad weather, the retail sector enjoyed growth in both volume and value terms, even in December which was again hit by inclement weather conditions. For the full year 2010, retail sales rose 1.1% in value terms (including fuel). With fuel stripped out this rise slipped to 0.9%.

However, the first half of 2011 remained challenging. While the sector enjoyed strong growth in January (+3.6% in volume terms year-on-year) this would have been aided by the weak comparatives due to the bad weather. In the subsequent five months, the sector endured three real terms contractions, one static performance and just one month of growth year-on-year, which reflected the mini-boost the sector enjoyed from the Royal Wedding in April.

The number of companies falling into administration in 2011 rose above the comparative numbers for both 2009 and 2010. However, as we have often said, recessions will inevitably result in a shrinking high street but that is not always a bad thing. Inefficient retailers are often replaced by those more capable of servicing the needs of consumers, as has been the case with the former Woolworths sites being operated much more effectively by the discounters.

The outlook for 2012 remains uncertain, with consumers likely to remain cautious through much of the year. This will continue to put retailers under pressure.

This report provides a snapshot of the leading retailers in Europe. Viewed year on year it also gives a picture of how the European market is changing. The expected recovery in 2011 proved to be more muted than anticipated with trading conditions remaining very tough in many markets. Retailers remain cautious, with a number aiming to cut back on unprofitable operations or putting expansion plans on hold.

We cover the Top 300 European retailers and provide a guide to the hierarchy of the European retail sector. Companies are also ranked by country and by Sector.