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News    >    9 August 2006

Consumers want Healthy Homes: Concerns for Health and Hygiene driving Consumer Purchases of Household Products

9 August 2006
Auckland

Latest ACNielsen Global Study Shows Disinfectants, Household Cleaners and Insect Repellant All Growing Faster than the Global Average

Consumers’ growing desire for healthy, germ-free lives is driving the purchase of household products that benefit their health and wellness, according to the latest study released by ACNielsen Global Services, an operating unit of ACNielsen, a VNU business.

The ACNielsen Executive News Report, titled What's Hot around the Globe – Insights on Growth in Household Products being released globally this week details the hottest product categories that consumers use around the home to keep it clean and running smoothly. Types of products in the study included dish, laundry and hand detergents; brooms, brushes and mops; bleaches and disinfectants; batteries; and plastic wraps, aluminum foil and bags etc. 

“Around the world, consumers are looking to improve and simplify their lives not only with the foods they eat but with the products they use in their homes,” said Bienvenido Niles, Regional President, ACNielsen Asia Pacific. “While we may differ geographically, ethnically and culturally, there is no question that a healthy, hygienic home environment is a high priority for all of us.”

ACNielsen’s latest What’s Hot study is the first to identify categories within household products that are being driven by health and wellness concerns. The overall global growth of the Household Product categories in the study was four percent with nine product categories growing at a faster rate than the overall average.

The top global growth categories and growth rates are listed in the table below:


Top Categories

'04-'05
Growth Rate

1. Abrasive Cleaning Pads

13%

2. Disinfectants

13%

3. Garbage Bags

8%

4. Laundry Stain Remover/Booster

6%

5. Household Cleaners

6%

6. Air Fresheners

5%

7. Insect Control

5%

8. Plastic Storage Bags

5%

9. Fabric Softener

5%

Of the top categories listed, Disinfectants, Household Cleaners and Insect Control all have a focus on maintaining health and hygiene by reducing germs or ridding homes of disease-carrying insects. The segment of Air Sanitizers (that promote the ability to wipe out odor-causing bacteria) within the Air Fresheners category also helped drive growth in the category.

“While people are increasingly concerned about nutrition and healthy eating, what is sometimes overlooked is the significance we place on the health of our living environments,” said Niles.

The Need for Convenience Also Drives Growth

Product categories that showed growth also tended to be those that simplified cleaning or reduced the number of steps needed to finish the job. Within Automatic Dish Detergents, for example, the multi-functional detergents (“3-in-1” type products that may have a combination of detergent, salt-action, and rinse-aid) showed strong growth. Also, in parts of Latin America, where many consumers wash clothes by hand, fabric softeners that can be added in with detergent – eliminating an extra rinse-and-soften step – were solid performers.  

Manufacturers Innovate for Growth

Innovation and technological advances by manufacturers in these traditional Household Care categories helped to stimulate growth. Air Fresheners, for example, showed positive results with new forms such as Battery Air Fresheners and Candles, and new segments like Air Sanitizing Sprays. In addition, Household Cleaners saw significant increases in Power Cleaners and Spray-on Cleaners. Laundry Stain Removers, with no-wash and oxi stain varieties (those that oxidize stains), also showed new innovative approaches to cleaning.

“One of the important messages from this global study is that consumers are becoming more sophisticated, as demonstrate by the increasing demand for household products with added value,” observed Niles. “These products go beyond basic necessities and are driving growth for the household segment in the less mature markets like Latin America and emerging markets.”

The table below highlights some key product segments driving growth through innovation:

 

Segment

Category

No. of Markets Growing/ Measured

Category Growth Rate 04-05

Battery Air Fresheners

Air Fresheners **

20 of 24

191%

Odor Eliminator/Air Sanitizer

Air Fresheners **

16 of 20

36%

Air Freshener Candles

Air Fresheners **

21 of 39

8%

Power Cleaners

Household Cleaners **

12 of 14

75%

Household Cleaning Spray-On

Household Cleaners **

24 of 24

11%

Multi-Functional
Auto Dish Detergent
(e.g. 2-in-1, 3-in-1)

Auto Dish Detergent

20 of 21

20%

Oxi Stain Remover/Booster

Laundry Stain Remover/ Booster **

7 of 10

11%

Rechargeable Batteries

Batteries

29 of 30

10%

Disinfectant Sprays

Disinfectants **

11 of 19

10%

Toilet Care Wipes

Toilet Care

9 of 15

8%

**Fastest Growing Categories

Regionally: Economically Developing Markets are Key to Growth

As one might expect, the more developed regions of Europe and North America experienced lower-than-average overall growth rates, while the less-developed regions of Latin America and Emerging Markets experienced faster growth. The Asia Pacific region, with its mix between developed and developing markets, had a slightly higher-than-average growth rate.

Interestingly, when ACNielsen grouped the markets in this study into “developed” and “developing” (based on the World Bank definition of economically developing markets), the research showed more than two-thirds of the dollar value growth in Household Products came from these developing markets. Among them, China, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam recorded more than 10 percent growth, while India and Sri Lanka were somewhere between four and nine percent.

“Developing markets are driving the vast majority of dollar growth for Household Products,” said Niles. “Manufacturer and retailer expansion into these markets with products and infrastructure have significantly impacted the Household Products categories. The potential for future growth in this area continues to be strong.”

About What's Hot around the Globe – Insights on Growth in Household Products Study

This ACNielsen survey What's Hot around the Globe – Insights on Growth in Household Products measured 66 markets around the world across 29 categories, comparing year-end results from December 2005 and December 2004. These 66 markets account for more than 90% of the world’s GDP and over 75% of the world’s population. The markets were grouped regionally into five areas (in order of market size): Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Emerging Markets. Previous studies have focused on Food and Beverages, Private Label and Personal Care products.

The report was based on purchase information from retailers in grocery, drug and mass merchandise outlets and generally excludes kiosks or vending machines. In a few markets, sales from convenience stores may be included. Within the United States, data from the ACNielsen Homescan consumer panel service has been included to provide a total market read that includes Wal-Mart information.

About ACNielsen
ACNielsen, a VNU business, is the world’s leading marketing information provider.  Offering services in more than 100 countries, the unit provides measurement and analysis of marketplace dynamics and consumer attitudes and behavior.  Clients rely on ACNielsen’s market research, proprietary products, analytical tools and professional service to understand competitive performance, to uncover new opportunities and to raise the profitability of their marketing and sales campaigns. ACNielsen’s Global Services provides clients with multi-country information and insight in a consistent, harmonized approach around the world.

To learn more, visit www.acnielsen.co.nz


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