New Reports
Greetings Cards 2010
Competition is intense on both the retailing and publishing sides of the UK greetings card industry. Over the past decade or so, many retail chains have been swallowed up by larger ones leaving Clinton Cards, Card Factory and what remained of the Birthdays chain as the only specialist retailers of significance, whilst supermarkets and variety stores have stealthily increased their share of the market. This has resulted in retailers being in a position to dictate terms and squeeze publishers’ margins with a predictable outcome.
IT Training 2010
The UK market for IT training was affected significantly by the recession in 2009, and its value fell back to the level seen in 2006. Even so, the market's value in 2009 is still estimated to have been 7.6% higher than it was in 2005. Instructor-led training (ILT) remains the largest sector of the market, although e-learning teaching — which includes blended learning — showed the highest growth over the review period (2005 to 2009).
Fish & Fish Products 2010
The market for fish and fish products increased in value by 25.8% between 2005 and 2009, with the value growth of the market far outpacing the volume increase. This reflects high inflation in the industry, as well as increasing demand for added-value products. However, sales fell in 2009 in both volume and value terms, suggesting that increasingly price-conscious consumers were rebelling against continuing price hikes.
Toys & Games 2010
The market has been affected by a number of factors. The number of children in the population has begun to increase as the impact of the rising birth rate since 2003 is beginning to be observed. The average age of mothers at the time of birth had also risen to 29.5 by 2005, up by a whole year from 1995. The toys and games market is benefiting from increased levels of spending per child, as a result of rising disposable income levels and the more advanced age of new parents.
Health Clubs & Leisure Centres 2010
Healthy living is a growing preoccupation of consumers and the media, but in practice the population is polarising between the fit and unfit. The fitness market divides between expensive, private sports and health clubs, and local leisure centres subsidised by the Government to provide opportunities for exercise. Key Note estimates that consumers spend £3.5bn a year on basic participation costs for both sport and fitness, including both annual subscriptions and ad hoc fees (`pay per play')....
Clothing & Footwear Industry 2010
The UK clothing and footwear (or apparel) market was worth an estimated £46.05bn in 2009, accounting for 5.3% of total consumer spending. In 1960, these products, although among the essentials of human living, accounted for 10% of the household budget, so they have lost relative importance in the consumer economy. Although other household priorities, such as foreign holidays, mortgages and cars, have developed since 1960, the main reason for the apparel market's failure to grow rapidly is price deflation.
Non-Metal Recycling 2010
In 2009, the UK market for non-metal recycling was worth an estimated £2.03bn, having increased by 10% on 2008. Despite the recession, the UK is recycling more than ever before, although the rate of growth dipped in 2009. Data show that people are taking a more responsible attitude towards the environment and are recycling more, and the prospects for the recycling industry look extremely promising.
Giftware 2010
Key Note’s report on giftware covers ceramic and toys and games, jewellery, glass tableware, ornamental articles, and small leather goods, such as purses and wallets. Each sector, particularly in the middle market, has struggled in the long and harsh recession as cash-strapped consumers cut back on discretionary spending. The toys and games sector was hit particularly hard by Woolworths’ fall into administration in late 2008.
Fruit Juices & Health Drinks 2010
The UK market for fruit juices and health drinks increased in value by 15% in over the 2005 to 2009 review period, to £2.98bn in 2009. Although the rate of growth fell sharply in 2008 and remained low in 2009, reflecting the impact of the recession, it remained positive. However, the increase is partly attributable to rising prices, as supplies have passed on the increased costs of commodities such as juice and packaging.
Small Domestic Electrical Appliances 2010
The small kitchen appliances sector accounts for slightly more than half of the total market and includes both staple commodity items, such as kettles and toasters, as well as more aspirational, high-end appliances such as espresso coffee machines. Appliances targeted towards healthy eating continue to enjoy positive sales, along with those that promise a professional result. Sales of appliances such as slow cookers have also performed well...
Access Control 2010
Key Note estimates that the UK market for physical access control was worth £304m at current end-user prices in 2009 — a 5% reduction on 2008, although a 12.6% increase on 2005. The number of notifiable criminal offences recorded by the police in Great Britain has been falling for a number of years. Despite this, security remains a key investment for UK businesses. Civil liberties are, however, an important issue for the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government in the UK...
Milk & Dairy Products 2010
The squeeze on consumer incomes has led to increased in-store focus on price, and a significant volume across a number of categories has been sold through price-based offers. The ‘buy one get one free’ (BOGOF) offers that were popular pre-recession have given way to ‘special price’, ‘multibuy’ and ‘round-pound’ deals. Much of this activity has been centred on brands, and suppliers have seen volume growth ahead of retailer own labels in categories such as cheese and yellow fats.
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