FMCG success today is now dependent on quality product images, solid SEO and prominent placement on e-tailer websites—far more so than simply having an abundant quantity or variety on the shelf at the local store.

While unexpected by many, the Amazon-Whole Foods linkage highlights just how profoundly consumer expectations are changing with regard to food and beverage shopping—and will continue to do so moving forward.

The dynamic economic environment across Asia continues to create both prosperity and stagnation among FMCG markets in Asia. While the region is diverse, what works in one market will not necessarily work in all.

Unbeknownst to most consumers, tremendous thought goes into developing even the most commonplace products. As a result, product development in the FMCG industry is anything but fast-moving. But what if algorithms could help streamline the process and the outcomes?

The variety and increasing scale of data, as well as the scope of activity it is meant to inform, demands a solution that goes well beyond a simple enterprise data warehouse. So what might that more robust solution look like?

Global sports are thriving, but media consumption is changing before our eyes. And as the media world grapples with these issues, so too must the sports industry. But these challenges aren’t the only obstacles facing the sports realm.

Measuring an ad’s ability to communicate trust is a tricky business: perceptions of trust can be non-conscious, formed almost immediately and biased by subtle factors. Given these nuances, explicit research methods aren’t sufficient.

Compared to their counterparts in other markets, Hong Kong consumers are relatively less likely to engage in online shopping, simply because of the close proximity and convenience of nearby physical stores. A growing reliance on the internet and mobile tech, however, are opening the doors to change.

It’s no surprise that more and more items are being outfitted with built-in connectivity. Consumers’ adoption of internet-enabled devices isn’t a given, however, and it’s worth exploring why acceptance has been so fragmented across categories—as well as what the industry can do to accelerate usage.

How many things can you say for certain that you're paying attention to, or even seeing, at any given moment? Our brains just aren’t good at recalling the kinds of details marketers need to evaluate their efforts in a complex world. That’s where the right neuroscience tools can help.

The spread and influence of technology over the next five years will be a key driver of change across the globe. However, there will be regional differences and some countries will leapfrog traditional cycles of development.

China, with its huge population and increasing affluence, is a very lucrative market for companies and brands in the Pacific. The Demand Institute, projects that consumers in China will spend $56 trillion over the next decade, with a largely young, affluent, connected consumer base with disposable incomes leading the charge.

In terms of golf’s global appeal, few markets rank higher than South Korea. Insights from Nielsen Sports show that 35% of people in the country are interested in golf, which puts it ahead of markets like the U.S. and Europe as the sport’s most interested population.

Companies striving for “leaner, bigger, better” innovations require realistic marketing inputs and an accurate forecast to identify their most promising initiatives. Proving that “consumers love it” without a realistic volumetric assessment simply isn’t enough.

Nielsen Sports’ latest 2018 FIFA World Cup Tracking Study shows that 94% of Russians are aware of the FIFA World Cup, with three-fourths saying they’re excited about the prospect of hosting the tournament.

Looking back on 2016, the year can best be described as one of change and uncertainty across many of our Asia Pacific markets.

What are some of the biggest technological influences that will cause the largest impact to consumers, products, industry and society? Are consumers, retailers and suppliers ready for technology trends that will dominate the way we work, live and play in the next 5 years?

With global sponsorship spend forecast to reach over $62 billion in 2017 and global media rights spend expected to hit $45 billion, the top-line metrics remain positive. This report detail what we regard as the 10 major commercial trends in sports.

Global consumer confidence increased modestly in 2016, a time of great political and economic change around the world, rising three points between the first and fourth quarters to 101. Confidence scores finished the year more strongly than they began in every region except Africa/Middle East.

Unconstrained by physical walls, e-commerce retailers offer a huge inventory of products in endless aisles. Unfortunately, our physical world product coding processes can’t scale to e-commerce: they’re too costly and too slow.

Amid great political and economic change around the world, global consumer confidence moved modestly in 2016, rising three points between the first and fourth quarter to 101.

Without data integration, the only thing cool technology can do is stare helplessly at a pile of bricks it can’t assemble into anything useful.

Digital has disrupted a whole host of interactions, including the way we watch video content and the ways we communicate with friends and family. The way we shop is no exception.

Not surprisingly, online shopping is pervasive among the growing online population. But when it comes to buying online, category dynamics are fluid and evolving.

The premium sector is growing globally, and as it turns out, it isn’t ritzy categories like diamonds and champagne that are topping the charts. Rather, global consumers are most often willing to trade up for everyday consumables.

Global sport's top-line metrics, notably global sponsorship and media rights spend, continued to point in the right direction in 2016 but it was also a year of rapid change across the industry.

In the coming decades, machine learning will transform work as we know it. And unlike previous revolutions, which primarily affected blue-collar workers, the smart machine revolution has white-collar workers in its sights.

Around the world, consumers are looking for a taste of the good life. And it’s not just those who are wealthy. Sales of products in the “premium” tier are growing at a rapid pace. In fact, the growth of the premium sector in many markets is outpacing total growth for many fast-moving consumer goods categories.

This study identifies the attributes consumers are looking for in premium product offerings, and reveals the underlying sentiment behind the reasons for purchase. We explore what “premium” means to consumers, and we identify the categories for which they’re most willing to pay a higher price.

Consumers are faced with a dizzying array of retailers vying for their attention, and a retail loyalty program can be a determining factor for where they decide to shop. In fact, 72% of global respondents agree that, all other factors equal, they’ll buy from a retailer with a loyalty program over one without.

This year, we figured the best way to show our appreciation as 2016 comes to a close, is through the gift of content.

2016 has been a momentous year on the world stage with Britain voting to exit the European Union and Donald Trump winning the United States election. There have been major upheavals in the Asia Pacific too – literally in New Zealand and Japan with damaging earthquakes, but also a political scandal in South Korea, the passing away of Thailand’s King Bhumibol, and unexpected currency reforms announced in India. We are living in uncertain times where disruption is becoming the new norm.

Most new product launches are “small” or “sustaining” innovations, which include the many, many brand extensions that large companies launch year after year. These launches are absolutely essential for growing existing brands and defending shelf space.

Marketers are more willing to invest in a platform if there is independent, third-party measurement to provide transparent performance metrics and inform best practices that reduce waste and maximise return on ad spend. This message is especially resonant for mobile.

Global consumers, by and large, have more shopping choices at their disposal than ever before. For retailers, differentiating your brand in such a crowded space is critical. A retail loyalty program can be an effective way to create competitive advantage by reducing customers’ likelihood to switch stores.

Done well, loyalty programs can help drive more frequent visits and heavier purchasing. More than seven in 10 global respondents (72%) agree that, all other factors equal, they’ll buy from a retailer with a loyalty program over one without.

A social responsibility strategy isn’t the only way to manage corporate reputation, but it is increasingly becoming a critical piece of the puzzle.

While the third quarter of 2016 saw considerable economic diversity across the markets measured by Nielsen’s Global Survey, consumer confidence in the U.S. remained on solid footing with a score of 106, despite a decline of seven points from the second quarter.

Influenced by several factors, the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry in Vietnam is indeed ‘fast moving’. We have been asked by many key market players which factors influence this industry and how can manufacturers expect it to change so that they can develop their own strategies and approach to catch the growth opportunities and win?

Third-quarter 2016 global consumer confidence remained stable at 99, up one point from the second quarter and unchanged from third-quarter 2015. Country-level scores, however, varied dramatically throughout the regions, reflecting considerable economic diversity around the world.

Third-quarter global consumer confidence increased one point from the second quarter to 99. Country-level scores, however, varied dramatically throughout the regions, reflecting considerable economic diversity around the world.

While paying bills, checking account balances and transferring funds from a mobile device may be convenient and easy, security is an ever-increasing consideration—and a critical barrier to success.

Amidst steadily rising reports that Asia is on the cusp of an obesity epidemic and growing speculation among the healthcare community that general health and wellness in Asia over the coming years is on a concerning trajectory, Asian consumers are becoming more conscious of their food choices and many say they are concerned about their weight.

Consumers are hungry for good health and greater transparency. Do you have the appetite for what's on the health and wellness menu?

Obesity levels around the world are rising at alarming rates and spurring three groups to sit up and take action...

Most of the customer data companies gather about innovation is structured to show correlations rather than causations. Yet after decades of watching great companies do poorly at innovation, we’ve come to the conclusion that the focus on correlation is taking firms in the wrong direction.

Though mobile shopping habits are on the rise, there’s certainly a method to the madness, as global consumers are also using digital tools to monitor their spending and manage their finances.

Marketers in Vietnam spend over $1 billion annually, but it is estimated that up to 30% does not pay off. That’s $300 million which doesn’t bring the return on investment from marketing activities each year. Little do brands know exactly where their investments did not generate the desired outcomes. So, the questions remain the same from year to year: How to make every single dollar invested in marketing count?

Among global respondents, 74% say they appreciate the freedom of being connected anywhere, anytime, and 70% strongly or somewhat agree that their mobile device has made their life better. This constant connectivity has not only changed the way we keep in touch, but also the way we shop, bank and pay for goods and services.

Mobile devices may not be critical to survival, but a majority of consumers around the world can’t imagine life without them. And now, they’re transforming the world of commerce.

Grabbing a bite to eat outside of the house is a weekly occurrence for almost half of global respondents, but are we stopping to savor our entrees or eating grub on the go? As it turns out, we’re doing quite a bit of both.

The 2016 report is the second edition of the Nielsen Southeast Asia Breakthrough Innovation Report. The report looks at new products launched in more than 160 product categories, representing 71% of annual fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sales across Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia.

While today’s consumers certainly scrutinize the foods that fill their pantries, they aren’t just eating at home. In fact, eating out isn’t just for special occasions; it’s a way of life for nearly half of global respondents.

Asia Pacific continues to shine on most companies’ radar when looking for growth opportunities thanks to its combination of large populations with increasing spending capacity and optimistic consumer sentiment. Across Asia Pacific, four markets boast GDP growth at greater than 5% (China, India, Philippines and Vietnam) and six markets are enjoying higher GDP growth in 2016 than last year (Australia, Indonesia, South Korea, New Zealand, Philippines and Thailand).

Brands armed with new products have always rushed to be first to market, as first movers often establish a stronghold that can be difficult for later entrants to break into. But being “first mover” at the expense of being “best mover” can often lead brands to competitive disadvantage.

The ins-and-outs of what a healthy diet looks like may vary somewhat around the world, but simplicity resonates globally. While there is some variation across regions, the story stays the same: Artificial is out, many of us avoid food with long lists of ingredients and consumers are intent on removing the bad and adding the good.

In addition to representing their countries and competing for medals, para-sports athletes participating in the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games this month will be challenging stereotypes, increasing inclusion and breaking down social barriers—something these competitors have been doing since the first Paralympic Games in Rome, Italy in 1960!

Over the past decade or so the Paralympic Games has established itself as a major sporting event in its own right. Each edition delivers hundreds of compelling stories created by thousands of athletes in front of millions of viewers.

As a consumer group, Millennials are just starting to flex their spending power, which will grow significantly in the coming years. While they’re years from fully establishing themselves, they’re already having a marked impact on the global consumer landscape.

Nearly two-thirds of global respondents say they follow a diet that limits or prohibits consumption of some foods or ingredients. Taking a closer look, a majority of global respondents say that when it comes to ingredient trends, a back-to-basics mind-set, focused on simple ingredients and fewer artificial or processed foods, is a priority.

Growing a brand isn’t easy, especially for those in in crowded categories. But even the most established categories change over time, and even categories that appear stable may be one critical innovation away from awarding one brand a significant long-term advantage.

While the opportunities are obvious, the volatility of Vietnam FMCG market puts a lot of challenges for the manufacturers and retailers to make sound decisions to fully seize the market growth opportunities and drive a profitable business.

Consumers around the world are increasingly focused on clean eating and the benefits of eating more healthfully, with 70% of global respondents saying they actively make dietary choices to help prevent health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol and hypertension.

Almost anyone you ask will tell you that eating a healthful diet is important—a sentiment that isn’t new. So why is there a seemingly heightened focus on clean eating?

For many companies, cost reduction efforts become an endless downward spiral. As soon as one cost reduction program is completed, it’s followed by another. It’s a dangerous cycle, but it’s one we know how to break.

Global consumer confidence held steady in the second quarter of 2016 at 98, an index score that was flat from the first quarter and two points higher than a year earlier. North America was the only region to sustain growth momentum in the second quarter, demonstrating a three-point increase in confidence to 111.

Global consumer confidence remained stable in the first quarter and below the optimism baseline score of 100, edging up one index point to 98. The score reflected mixed confidence levels reported in every region.

With more than 1.3 million traditional trade stores in Vietnam, getting products into stores and in front of the consumer can be a big challenge for manufacturers. In fact, until recently, many manufacturers had shifted their focus away from the traditional trade channel in Vietnam, opting instead to set their sights on the expanding modern trade format.

Strong retail growth was a challenge to find across Asia Pacific in 2015, but pockets of success and opportunity can be found in specific markets, channels and categories.

In modern retail, the use of promotions has slowly escalated to become a now-standard practice that has resulted in a shared reliance among retailers and manufacturers, but decent returns are increasingly hard to generate. So knowing which categories are more or less sensitive to pricing changes is essential for driving growth.

Today, the enterprise needs a big data warehouse that combines on-premise and in-the-cloud datasets into a comprehensive view of its business and the environment in which it operates.

A core element in increasing share of wallet is understanding and responding to local consumer needs. It makes sense then, that differentiation from your competition could be an important way to build a competitive advantage. So what are consumers looking for?

Find out how home grown retailer NTUC Fairprice stays relevant and clued in on what consumers want, with consumer insight.

Discover how by keeping a keen eye on its distribution strategy and competitors, Nestlé, the health and wellness brand on every Filipino’s breakfast table successfully grows with the consumer.

Home grown retailer-and-etailer Homeplus gets to know the omni-channel consumer to enjoy double-digit growth and stay ahead of the curve.

Confronted by more digital and discerning consumers, Citibank responded by going back to the basics – focusing on product features that consumers valued – to keep them loyal.

Watch how 4 brands across 4 cities in Asia Pacific - from FMCG to financial services - turn big data into big ideas.

Modern retail has long been guided by a powerful premise: the bigger, the better. But the retail landscape is shifting, and this mantra no longer holds true in all cases. This report explores the pain and pleasure points in global consumers' shopping experiences.

Marketers often think of “earned” media as asymmetric marketing opportunities—they’re cheap and fast, which make them quite easy for smaller brands to exploit. But the power of earned media as an asymmetric strategy is more appearance than reality.

Are you progressing, prepared or pessimistic about the future? Can you see around the next corner? Is your business model ready to navigate ubiquitous change?

Mature brands will find themselves in a broader range of situations than new ones. When it becomes clear that your established brand needs investment to grow your circle of buyers, how do you know which path will work best for you?

Though global consumer confidence remained stable in the first quarter, there was notable variation on a country-by-country basis, and many markets noted a growing recessionary sentiment. In fact, six in 10 global respondents believed their nation’s economy was in recession in the first quarter.

Global consumer confidence remained stable in the first quarter and below the optimism baseline score of 100, edging up one index point to 98. The score reflected mixed confidence levels reported in every region.

In the digital world, IT is everyone’s job, and the democratization of IT is an unstoppable force.

How did business intelligence break free of its centralized command-and-control heritage to meet the challenge of the agile, democratic, digital world?

When asked to pick the attributes they seek when purchasing all-purpose cleaners, 40% around the world say they want environmentally friendly benefits and nearly as many (36%) say they don’t want harsh chemicals.

When it comes to cleaning products, it should come as little surprise that efficacy tops the list of most important attributes that consumers around the world seek out when selecting household cleaners.

As multinational companies continue to expand into new markets, often providing access to a greater range of products for local consumers, are local companies getting lost in the shuffle? Not necessarily so. In fact, many local companies are thriving.

Many consumers appear to have strong preferences about the origin of the products they buy, but how important is this attribute really when they consider a purchase? How does it stack up against other selection factors?

Be it global, regional or local brand, here are five ways to win the hearts and carts of Southeast Asian consumers.

Typically, small teams build concepts, get qualitative or quantitative feedback, refine concepts, collect another round of feedback, and so on, until they arrive at a “winning” concept. This technique works well, but it suffers from one major drawback: It often produces ideas that are good enough but not the best.

Cleaning can be a thankless job. Luckily, there’s a variety of cleaning products to help. In fact, the tools that consumers use to clean their homes are as diverse as the regions themselves.

In Vietnam, traditional grocery rules both in store numbers and sales contribution. The challenge to get your products into stores can be incredibly difficult but we discover 5 insights you need to know about tranditional trade channel in Vietnam to win both retailers and shoppers.

Benjamin Franklin said the only things certain in life are death and taxes. Perhaps we should add dirt to the list. So who’s doing the cleaning, what solutions do they use and how often are they freshening up their homes and clothes?

No matter where you live or who you are, dirt and grime are inescapable facts of life. As such, we all need to clean—and we spend a significant amount of time keeping our homes and clothes clean and fresh.

The past decade has seen unprecedented change in the technology and telecommunications sector in Asia-Pacific, and the coming years show no sign of a slowdown. The availability of smartphones, tablets, Wi-Fi, 4G networks and ecommerce is changing the way business is conducted, and driving huge-scale innovation in areas ranging from customer engagement to retail models.

It's easy to reach Super Consumers, once you know who they are. But identifying the optimal strategies to change their behaviour is another matter. Nielsen has come up with a five-point plan to maximise the value of the telco Super Consumer.

Over the past decade or so, as multinational organisations tackled challenges such as increasing competition, financial crises, and slow growth in developed markets, many increasingly looked to emerging regions such as Asia as a source of growth. Nowhere was this trend more evident than the FMCG sector.

VOD services are undoubtedly transforming the way audiences consume video, so it’s important to tune in to what’s driving engagement around the world. Our recent online global survey found that while several strong motivating factors will support continued growth, there are a few barriers to be mindful of, too.

VOD is fast becoming a part of daily viewing habits for many around the world, regardless of age. In fact, among the 65% of global respondents who watch any type of VOD programming, more than four-in-10 say they watch at least once a day.