“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”