May 13, 2020 — Toilet paper became a coveted item sometime in mid-March, when US cities and states saw an increase in coronavirus cases that prompted many Americans to stock up on household goods. Soon enough, grocery stores found themselves struggling to meet demand; some placed purchase limits on certain items, toilet paper chief among them, as sparsely stocked shelves became the new normal.

While many people attributed the toilet paper scarcity to panic buying, the shortage likely stemmed from supply chain disruptions, as I previously reported for The Goods. More people are staying home and therefore using more of their own TP stash.

Hand sanitizer, baking supplies, drink mixers and frozen poultry categories show the most growth compared to a year ago

NEW YORK, MAY 13, 2020 — American household consumer packaged goods (CPG) spending declined 8% in April compared with March, a month characterized by a period of extreme buying as COVID-19 concerns took root in the U.S. In March 2020, grocery sales increased by an unprecedented 36% compared with March 2019. These findings are part of new data released by NCSolutions (NCS), the leading company for improving advertising effectiveness for the consumer packaged goods ecosystem.  Continue reading “CONSUMER PACKAGED GOODS SALES DOWN 8% IN APRIL FROM MARCH PEAK, AS BUYING PATTERNS ADAPT TO HOME-CONFINED LIFESTYLES” →

April 30, 2020

ALEXANDRIA, Va.—The pandemic is dragging on and many Americans are still in self-quarantine, but pandemic panic buying is declining, reports Progressive Grocer. Consumer concerns about the availability of food and consumer packaged goods (CPG), such as household cleaners, is easing.

It started with the empty shelves.

You show up to the grocery store, stocking up on beans and pasta, and as you turn your cart into the toilet paper aisle, it hits you.

The absence.

At first you’re confused. Is this the right aisle? Did they move it? But within seconds, reality sets in.

APRIL 28, 2020 – LONDON/LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – U.S. consumers have begun spotting rare Quilted Northern and Charmin toilet paper rolls on store shelves across the United States, as stocks start building after weeks of severe shortages.

April 23, 2020 – Earlier this week, I posted refrigerated and frozen food sales numbers from research firm IRI for the week ending April 5, which showed a rise in purchases again after a dip from the early March COVID-19 stockpiling frenzy that sent sales skyrocketing and disrupted the cold food supply chain. The year-over-year (YOY) numbers compared to 2019 continue to be astronomical despite the dip.

April 9, 2020 –The outbreak of the coronavirus has dealt a shock to the global economy with unprecedented speed. Following are developments Thursday related to the global economy, the work place and the spread of the virus.

GLOBAL SHOCK: There is no place on earth inhabited by humans that is not being hit by the economic shock of the pandemic. The U.S. rolled out a $2.3 trillion plan to stabilize the economy Thursday.

— Oxfam is warning half a billion people in the developing world could be pushed into poverty. In a report based on research at King’s College London and the Australian National University, Oxfam is calling for the immediate cancellation of $1 trillion in debt payments due from developing countries this year.

April 9, 2020 –In last week’s Advanced TV Insider, I noted the increasing number of solutions for near-real-time attribution of OTT/CTV campaigns, including actual sales outcomes. Continuing the metrics theme, this column features an interview with Thomas Eaton, SVP of TV and programmatic solutions at NCSolutions (NCS).

April 9, 2020 – What does toilet paper have to do with a global pandemic? Nothing. Yet millions of people have been panicking about their household supply. Stores shelves have been emptied. Amazon is often out of stock. And social media is bursting with jokes and pleas for a roll or two.

NCSolutions Finds Shoppers Prioritize Veggies, Salty Snacks, and Cheese in their Grocery Baskets as Americans Evolve from a Pattern of Extreme Buying to Home-Confined Buying

NEW YORK, April 9, 2020 – NCSolutions (NCS), the leading company for improving advertising effectiveness for the consumer packaged goods (CPG) ecosystem, today released new data showing average household grocery spend has fallen since the COVID-19 Extreme Buying peak but still remains elevated at 23% higher than pre-pandemic levels. This marked shift—coupled with a return to a grocery basket mix reminiscent of pre-COVID-19 shopping patterns—indicates consumers have entered a new purchasing stage: Home-Confined Buying.

Continue reading “CONSUMER SPENDING REMAINS 23 PERCENT HIGHER THAN LEVELS PRE-COVID WHILE THE AMERICAN HOUSEHOLDS’ GROCERY BASKET RETURNS MOSTLY TO ITS PREVIOUS MIX” →