Walmart: Ads Showing Differences In Prices Of Identical Shopping Baskets Are “Terrific”

Walmart ads showing comparative shopping basket prices is proving to be highly successful, the company says. CEO Bill Simon told a retail conference that ads running in 25 markets showing the final price tag on identical baskets of items from Walmart and a local grocery competitor resulted in a 1.1 percent boost in store traffic and 1.2 percent increase in sales. Simon said the ads are “terrific” because they are specific, detailed and broad, showing “things that the customers buy every day, and the value shows through.”

"Wal-Mart Ads Drive Sales: CEO", Supermarket News, September 10, 2012

Estee Lauder Sues Australia's Target For Selling Allegedly Fake M•A•C Cosmetics

Estee Lauder filed a lawsuit against Target, claiming the Australian retailer sold fake M•A•C cosmetics at its stores and online. The allegations, included in a statement of claim filed by the cosmetics company with the Australian Federal Court, became a big issue online as social media sites and blogs highlighted customers' angry reactions to the news, fearing they might have purchased fake M•A•C cosmetics. Target said it believed the M•A•C cosmetics it received from a local supplier came from legal wholesalers overseas.

"Target accused over 'fake' make-up", Canberra Times, September 08, 2012

Chinese Consumers Are An Evolving -- And Complex -- Target For Marketers

Marketers eager to tap into China’s huge – 1.3 billion potential customers – consumer market need to get a better understanding of the country’s economic and cultural complexities, says Chris Davis of Campaign Asia. Consumer demographics, buying patterns and product preferences vary by region and by major city, and each of these is at a different stage of economic development. But there are some key facts: Chinese shoppers look for prestigious brands; women tend to control the family’s purse strings; Internet shopping, product and price comparisons, and buying are surging; and senior citizens form a sizeable purchasing segment and do considerable shopping for their grandchildren. A crucial insight: China is becoming more modern and international in its outlook, but not “Western”.

"Understanding the evolving Chinese consumer", Campaign Asia, September 05, 2012

Economic Slowdown Prevents More Americans From Seeking Dental Care

"FEWER AMERICANS TURNING TO DENTISTS FOR MOUTH PAIN", Oral Health America, September 01, 2012

L’Oréal Opens First Kiehl's Cosmetics Store In South Africa

L’Oréal’s luxury retail unit Kiehl’s partnered with Edcon, owner of retailer Edgars, to open its first cosmetics retail store in South Africa. Located in the Edgars store at the Sandton City shopping mall in Johannesburg, the Kiehl's store will continue the company's policy of relying only on sampling instead of spending money on advertising. South Africa is the 42^nd country to host a Kiehl's store in the last 10 years, after the cosmetics retailer expanded outside the United States.

"Cosmetics retailer Kiehl’s opens first store in Africa", Business Day Live, September 05, 2012

Henkel, Walmart Celebrate Sustainability Week In Mexico

Henkel partnered with Walmart to celebrate Sustainability Week in Mexico. As part of the celebration, the companies hosted a conference focusing on the sustainability strategies of Walmart and Henkel. Pete He, Henkel North America’s research and development head, presented Henkel’s sustainability strategy. The conference also included a visit to Henkel’s detergent factory.

"Sustainability Week in Mexico", Henkel, August 30, 2012

India’s Aging – And Increasingly Affluent – Population Benefits Wellness, Personal Care Firms

People over age 40  in India want to be younger-looking – and healthy – as they age, a fact that is benefiting health, wellness and personal care suppliers and services. Customers over 40 are buying anti-aging serums, anti-wrinkle creams, eye rollers and skin repair moisturizers. Benefiting from the trend are product makers such as Hindustan Unilever, L’Oreal and Procter & Gamble, as well as thousands of beauty and slimming salons, a segment that has increased 50 percent in the last year. A recent market research report finds that the 40+ population in India will reach 500 million by 2025.

"40-plus age group emerge as fastest growing consumer segment for wellness firms", The Economic Times, September 08, 2012

Humor And Inspiration Help Consumers Adopt Sustainability More Easily

Marketers of environment-friendly products are discovering that in encouraging consumers to adopt sustainability, humor and inspiration are more effective tools than lecturing about the ill effects of human disregard for the environment. UK retailer M&S launched its “shwopping” initiative, a combination of shopping and swapping, that gives customers store vouchers for donating clothes to the charity group Oxfam. The project is part of the retailer’s participation in Business in the Community’s Start Campaign, which encourages UK’s leading brands to promote sustainable lifestyles by highlighting simple and doable steps. For its part, supermarket chain Asda put up a farm for primary school pupils near its headquarters in Burnley, allowing children to plant, grow, and harvest their own vegetables.

"Making sustainable living easy, normal – and fun", Guardian , September 05, 2012