• Alcohol Consumption in Bars and Restaurants - US
Alcohol Consumption in Bars and Restaurants - US

Consumers are drinking less alcohol in bars and restaurants as they look for ways to cut back on spending amid recessionary pressures and adoption of healthier lifestyles. When they do drink, however, they dare drink better, perhaps as a way to somehow make up for having to pass on other enjoyments in life.
• Athletic Shoes - US
Athletic Shoes - US

During 2002-2007, the U.S. athletic footwear market experienced slow growth of less than 3% per year at current prices. Advances in technology have always driven the athletic shoe market, yet a fusion of performance with fashion is becoming the predominant inspiration for new sales — most notably with young purchasers. Sports participation, and therefore shoes required to participate, are never static — men are exploring cross training more and more, and women are going to the gyms and studios.
• Bread - US
Bread - US

This report focuses on the fresh, frozen and refrigerated bread market. Besides presenting sales data on a segment-by-segment basis, the report analyzes a range of topics with an eye towards how this market will evolve, including the following:
How have diet trends influenced the bread market and are these effects long-lasting?What are consumers looking for when they buy bread? Do consumers understand and believe the nutritional claims proliferating in this category?How have rising prices impacted consumer choices in this market?How big is the bread market and how are individual segments performing? What factors are driving growth?What strategies can bread manufacturers and marketers implement to combat the decline in bread usage? Reposition bread as a snack? Take back breakfast? What are the opportunities for private label brands in a price-conscious environment?How are consumers shopping in this category? Few consumers identify themselves as brand loyal but approximately 40% buy the same brand(s) regularly.
• Consumer Attitudes to Debt - UK
Consumer Attitudes to Debt - UK

Being in debt is no longer a social taboo, but rather an accepted and integral part of modern life. Over recent decades, we have been encouraged to borrow in order to own our own property and so that we can buy the things we want, though not necessarily need, today as opposed to tomorrow. The young have been particularly susceptible to this buy-now-pay-later ideology – our research shows that the under-35s carry the heaviest debt burden and are the least likely to have savings.
• Contraceptives - US
Contraceptives - US

The U.S. market for OTC contraceptives is in great demand, thanks to growing populations of young consumers who are the most likely to use contraceptives, but also due to an increased emphasis on pleasure, with personal lubrication and sexual enhancement products showing rapid growth. Mintel explores the current climate in the U.S. with in-depth analysis of the following:
How manufacturer emphasis on sensitivity and pleasure has fueled sales, and how merchandising of sexual aids in mainstream drug chains has helped fuel sales of condomsThe competitive context provided by advertising for oral prescription contraceptives and the use of OTC Plan B How ambivalence toward pregnancy and decreased fear of STDs are negatively impacting salesThe dominance of drug stores in the marketAnalysis of branding and advertisement from leading suppliers, including conventional outlets, promotions, and online positioningWhich condom lines are gaining and which are failing Condom usage in the GBLT community and opportunities for advancing sales in this high-use demographicNew product development
• Eggs - UK
Eggs - UK

Value growth has been very strong across the period from 2003, helped by consumers shifting to free-range eggs. Consumption rates have been relatively static, market volumes dipped in 2006 but have since recovered to give modest growth.
• Facial Skincare - A Pan-European Overview
Facial Skincare - A Pan-European Overview

This report provides a pan-European overview of the facial skincare market in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. For more detailed information, please refer to the five individual country reports: Facial Skincare, June 2008
• Furniture Retailing - Ireland
Furniture Retailing - Ireland

The furniture retail sector in Ireland has been hit by a slowdown in consumer spending and reduced consumer confidence. Increasingly, wary consumers hold off on purchasing big-ticket items. Moreover, the market faces new competition in the form of both IKEA and mass retailers (e.g. Land of Leather, DFS).
• Household Cleaning Products: The Consumer - US
Household Cleaning Products: The Consumer - US

This report is the second part of a two-part series on household cleaning products. It complements the findings of Household Cleaning Products: The Market-U.S., May 2008, including the widespread shift away from "deep cleaning", strong interest in environmentally-friendly products, the growth potential for store-brand products and the increasing use of the Internet as a retail channel.
• Liqueurs - UK
Liqueurs - UK

Since the last Mintel report on liqueurs in June 2006, in common with some other alcohol sectors, there has been a slowdown with a shift away from on-trade to off-trade consumption. Sales of cream liqueurs, in particular, have fallen in value over the last two years presenting a challenge for suppliers, with cream liqueurs tending to be most popular with core female consumers. In particular, repertoire drinking among younger people is on the increase and there is strong competition, especially in the on-trade, from wine, cider and beer, as well as lighter, mixable spirits.
• MP3 Players - US
MP3 Players - US

The MP3 player market is one of the fastest changing consumer markets as customer needs and desires change and technology advances. This report explores shifts in market share between the different segments of the market, as well as how competing products, such as MP3-enabled phones, will affect sales. The report presents ways for manufacturers to stay competitive both in terms of marketing and product development, in the existing MP3-player market and against competing technologies. This includes fine-tuning content offerings and features, identifying niche markets, and how to both reach current owners and court new consumer groups.

This report provides a pan-European overview of selected convenience food markets in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. For more detailed information, please refer to the five individual country reports: Convenience Eating, May 2008. European Consumer Goods Intelligence is a unique series of fmcg market research reports, written by industry experts and incorporating exclusive insight into consumer activity and market trends. They are designed to guarantee that every stage of your advertising, marketing or new product development process is focused towards genuine demand and real opportunity.

Since 2003 the number of consumers participating in sport has grown year-on-year, spurred on by the constant attention health and wellbeing receive in the media. Sport, especially football, is considered to be an important aspect of life for Irish consumers with increased spectatorship of sports events and spending on sports equipment. There is also a growing number of consumers participating in extreme sports; while the market is still niche it has the potential for growth.