CPG AND COVID-19 SHOPPING TRENDS

These are extraordinary times. Along with the rest of America, at NCS we’re doing our best to adjust to these uncharted waters.

Our teams are adapting our solutions to account for this health crisis. We’re continuing to consult with our advertisers on activation and measurement strategies to ensure impactful advertising to consumers today. And we’re actively tracking how this pandemic is influencing consumer CPG purchases and media consumption.

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In safety and wellness,
The NCS Team

Valentine’s “Month”

February 11, 2021

We expect this Valentine’s Day to bring increased chocolate sales all month long.

Out With the Old?

February 5, 2021

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Who’s Advertising in the Big Game

3 CONSUMER TRENDS ON ALCOHOL

December 30, 2020

See how Pernod Ricard is approaching 2021 activations.

Ring in the New Buyers

December 16, 2020

How can brands stand out and drive sales as the holiday season winds down?

The TP Index: Round #2

December 4, 2020

National TP Index shows how sales of the commodity have changed through the pandemic.

The State of Thanksgiving 2020

November 12, 2020

Survey shows differences in regional plans for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving 2020 Consumer Sentiment

November 6, 2020

Get the 2020 CPG Advertiser's recipe for Thanksgiving.

holiday icon with pumpkin, turkey, candy cane

Holiday…It Would Be So Nice

October 9, 2020

See how 2020 holiday CPG spending has fared so far.

The times, they are a-changin’

October 1, 2020

See how CPG categories have fared 6 months into the pandemic.

Taking stock of the essentials

September 24, 2020

As buying habits level off, essential items are starting to claim back shelf space.

Would You Like Sanitizer With That?

September 18, 2020

Our obsession with cleaning isn't going away any time soon.

Playbook for Advertising Effectiveness

September 1, 2020

Maneuver your way through the pandemic.

Back to School…At Home

August 24, 2020

See how CPG categories fared during 2019 back-to-school.

CPG Spend Still Elevated in July

August 21, 2020

Household CPG sales were up 20% in July compared to one year ago.

At Home With Tom

July 22, 2020

Hear our SVP of TV discuss how to maximize your TV budget for the rest of the year.

Red, White & Food

July 21, 2020

Grocery purchases for Independence Day 2020 look a lot like they did in 2019.

Pantry Deloading

July 20, 2020

U.S. consumers have been eating their way through food reserves purchased earlier this year.

CPG Loyalty Compass

July 16, 2020

Plan your advertising today and into the future, and move your customers up the loyalty ladder.

The New Toilet Paper…

July 14, 2020

It seems like the great toilet paper stock up of 2020 is mostly behind us. But is it really?

Paper Good Stockouts

July 10, 2020

U.S. shoppers are more likely to find toilet paper and paper towels on shelves these days.

Brand Loyalty Encore

July 3, 2020

In our brand loyalty webinar "after show", Lance, Steve, and Stu answer audience questions.

Bakers Gonna Bake

June 29, 2020

From flour to sugar, see how baking categories fared during COVID-19.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

June 26, 2020

Americans are spending more on meat, and poultry is the clear winner in the U.S.

State of the States

June 24, 2020

U.S. shoppers follow the same pattern at the grocery store, regardless of state closing.

Sunday: No Longer the #1 Shopping Day

June 12, 2020

See when consumers shopped throughout the pandemic.

icons of beauty and personal care products

So Fresh and So Clean

June 10, 2020

As states started to open back up in May, beauty/personal care product sales increased steadily.

TOP CPG CATEGORIES WEEK OF MAY 30

June 5, 2020

Find out which CPG categories lead as the country reopens.

TOP CPG CATEGORIES WEEK OF MAY 23

June 1, 2020

See which CPG categories U.S. consumers prioritized.

Tapping Into That Summer State of Mind

May 29, 2020

Consumers are thirsty for the traditions of summer.

Where’s the Beef?

May 22, 2020

Meat categories experienced a sales uptick, with one notable exception: fresh beef & pork.

At Home with Carl

May 21, 2020

Hear our EVP of Strategy discuss advertising during consumer uncertainty.

XANDR WEBINAR RECORDING

May 20, 2020

Learn about purchase-based targeting with Peter Topol, VP, Advanced TV Partnerships.

Adweek Webinar Recording

May 15, 2020

Watch our webinar with Adweek on how CPG brand loyalty is shifting during this pandemic.

Loyalty in the Quarantine Economy

May 14, 2020

Why brands and advertising matter more now than ever.

At Home with Jeff and Leslie

May 8, 2020

Watch our COO and CRO talk changing consumer behaviors (including their own).

Top Categories Week Ending April 25

May 7, 2020

See which CPG categories U.S. consumers prioritized.

The TP Story Rolls On

April 30, 2020

Given stockout challenges, will you be able to secure this precious commodity in stores?

icon of measuring cup, whisk, sewing needle, and bird bonoculars

Rediscovering Traditional Pastimes

April 28, 2020

Americans are returning to more traditional pastimes.

icons of razor, shampoo, lotion, makeup, and other beauty items

Quarantine Stinks. Literally.

April 22, 2020

Personal care has dropped a few rungs on the ladder of priority.

icon of box of cereal, boxed macaroni and cheese, and ready-bake crescent rolls

Nostalgia. It’s What’s For Dinner.

April 16, 2020

In times of high stress, we turn to food for comfort.

For the Love of Sweets

April 15, 2020

Americans are turning to cookies, ice cream, and chocolate to get through this quarantine.

Bread, mayo, lunch meat, and cheese icons

Sandwich Sales Soar

April 10, 2020

Households stock up on cheese and lunch meat as parents prepare more lunches at home.

Hair Color Shines

April 9, 2020

Hair color sales soared March 20, 2020, as consumers aim to look their best for video calls.

At Home with Linda

April 8, 2020

Join CEO Linda Dupree as she talks consumer shopping shifts around COVID-19.

CPG Spend Still Elevated

April 7, 2020

Household grocery spend remains elevated during Home-Confined Buying.

Shopping Trips Take a Dip

April 6, 2020

Consumer store trips peaked during Extreme buying, then decreased with social distancing.

U.S. Shopping Baskets Shift

April 3, 2020

In Home-Confined Buying, shoppers return to a basket mix reminiscent of pre-COVID-19.

We’re Still Buying Booze

March 25, 2020

When consumers rushed to stores in March, they also stocked up on alcohol.

COVID-19 Shopping Stages

March 23, 2020

NCS has defined five stages of consumer buying related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Spend Beyond Holiday Levels

March 19, 2020

As consumers prepared to spend more time at home, how did their grocery purchases change?

A Bulk Buying Tipping Point

March 18, 2020

The news cycle has distorted when U.S. consumers really started pantry loading.

Butt Seriously: The TP Index

March 17, 2020

NCS has developed a National TP Index: see when toilet paper became the top-selling category.

To the Grocery Store We Go

March 16, 2020

American spending at grocery stores and drugstores increased 62% and 16% on March 12.

Top Categories on March 12

March 15, 2020

When consumers hit the stores on March 12, what did they stock up on?

Hand Sanitizer & TP Race

March 14, 2020

When did consumers really start stocking up on hand sanitizer and toilet paper?

Preparing for COVID-19

March 13, 2020

These are extraordinary times. Along with the rest of America, at NCS we’re doing our best.

We’ve Got Your Back

In these uncertain times, NCS gives you certain answers.

Should I continue to advertise and target? How will pantry stocking impact measurements and trending? Can NCS give me views with and without COVID-19 impact? Our client consulting and data science teams are closely monitoring CPG purchase patterns and actively adjusting our solutions–so we can give you answers and a true read on how your advertising is affecting sales during this period.

See How We're Preparing Contact Us With Questions