Consumer confidence plummeted in September

Alarming news by the Dutch national statistics office. This is what they had to say about it:

Consumer confidence in the Netherlands has plummeted from 15 to -1 in September. This is the largest drop ever measured. For the first time since the summer of 2006 there are more pessimists than optimists again. Not only are consumers more sombre about the economic climate, willingness to buy has also taken a knock. Consumers are mainly pessimistic about the future economic and financial situation. A substantial number of consumers also expect prices to increase in the next twelve months. They hardly expect unemployment to increase at all, on the other hand.

Radical turnaround in feelings about the economy

In the space of just one month consumers’ opinions on the economic situation in the coming twelve months have gone into complete reverse. While there were still 16 percent more optimists than pessimists in August, in September the pessimists had a majority of 18 percent. Such a 34-point deterioration has never been measured before. Consumers are also considerably more pessimistic about the economic climate in the last twelve months.

Opinions on the economic situation in the last and in the coming twelve months together have fallen by no fewer than 28 points. This component of consumer confidence reacts quickly and violently to uncertainties and bad news about the economy. But the size of the drop is unparalleled. Only the fall in October 1998 comes anywhere near. As a result of the Asian crisis at the time, the opinions on the economic climate fell by 21 points.

Read the whole article here

Source: CBS

Hot Chocolate Milk for Senseo Machine

In week 40 (next week) a new product for the Senseo coffee pod machine will become available in Dutch retail. Dutch dairy giant Friesland Food Group has developed a cocoa pod that is suitable for the Senseo machine. The pod itself does not contain powder but a cocoa/milk paste that will produce a warm frothy chocolate milk when used in the Senseo machine.

The new product is called Chocomel Hot and is part of the Chocomel product range. Chocomel is the biggest brand in ambient RTD chocolate milk in the Netherlands.

A pack of eight pods will cost around EUR2.59. A special introductory pack with 4 pods and a special pod holder will be available during the launch and will cost around EUR3.49.

"Healthier Choice" logo boosts sales

Unilever has confirmed to the AD newspaper that the "Ik kies bewust"-logo (Healthier Choice) has a significant effect on sales performance. This logo was launched by some of the major food and beverage producers in The Netherlands to help Dutch consumers make healthier choices when it comes to food.

Unilever has now confirmed that the 1,500 products that carry the logo outperform other products in terms of sales. The recognition and awareness of the logo and what it stands for has also increased. Just after the launch 34% of Dutch consumers recognised the logo. This percentage has now risen to 88%.

Maxeda revamps V&D department stores

Maxeda has made start with revamping the V&D department stores. The first remodelled store has opened in Amsterdam and a new outlet in the town of Doetinchem will be the second store that will open with the new look. Over the course of the next 3 to 5 years all of the V&D stores will be remodelled.

The reason for the renewed store image and presentation are the dissappointing performance indicators of the retailer. Maxeda admits that V&D is suffering from a slighlty old fashioned image and was not able to compete with stores such as HEMA or clothing retailers such as H&M or Zara.

The new look for the stores should improve performance considerably.

You can find pictures of the Amsterdam outlet on the Elsevier Retail website (in Dutch):

V&D Amsterdam

Douwe Egberts launches two new Senseo flavors

Douwe Egberts (Sara Lee) has launched two new Senseo flavors in the Netherlands: Senseo Café Choco and Senseo Espresso. The latter one is made from 100% Arabica coffee beans and comes with a special pad holder that increases the pressure in the Senseo coffee maker. This should result in a authentic small cup of espresso coffee. Senseo Café Choco is special because it contains coffee, milk and of course cocoa.


The Espresso starter kit contains a bag of Senseo Espresso pads and the special holder. The advise price for Dutch retail is EUR4.99.

Hero challenges market leader Nutricia

A few months ago Hero acquired the Friso baby food brand from Friesland Food Group. This made Hero the number two in the Dutch baby food market behind Numico with its Nutricia brand.

The Friso brand at present consist mainly of dry dairy based baby food. The Hero company already has a wide range of so called wet baby food products in jars on the market. Hero has announced that it plans to add a range of wet products to the Friso range and challenge the position of Nutricia in the years to come.

Grolsch launches two new beers

Grolsch has announced it will launch two new beers onto the Dutch market. Grolsch Pilsner Speciale and Grolsch Dunkel Weizen are added to the Grolsch portfolio.

These launches fit in the Grolsch strategy to add variety to the Dutch market and as they are both speciality beers they also add value to the Grolsch brand. Now that the price war in Dutch retail is almost behind us Grolsch is focusing on rebuilding the Grolsch image of premium beer.

Grolsch Pilsner Speciale is a full-bodied, but fresh golden blond lager and is already sold through the Dutch on-trade and specialist retailers. Grolsch Dunkel Weizen is a firm amber colored beer with a light caramel taste. This beer will become available in October of this year and will be available in the on-trade, supermarkets and specialist retailers.

Unilever wants to sell Boursin brand

The reorganisation of Unilever is beginning to take shape. The company announced on Tuesday that between 10,000 and 12,000 jobs will be lost in Europe alone. Unilever also announced that it is planning to sell its cheese activities (mainly Boursin brand).

Unilever explained that the brand is very healthy, is profitable and showing growth. Cheese simply does not sit well within the current brand portfolio though and the company recognises that it is better off selling Boursin.

It is unknown if Unilever is already talking to potential buyers.

Philips Launches Aurea at IFA Berlin

Philips launched its new Aurea television at this years IFA convention in Berlin. This is what Philips has to say about it:

Philips is showcasing its leadership in consumer lifestyle electronics at this year's IFA, being held in Berlin from 31 August until 5 September.

Highlights of the show include the revolutionary new Aurea FlatTV, which builds on Philips' 11-year leadership in flat television technology. The Aurea's application of the latest advances in Philips Ambilight TV technology results in a minimalist design that radiates an aura of light and color beyond the frame to create an immersive, ambient viewing experience.

More emphasis on food for HEMA

Mixed retailer Hema is increasing its efforts to extend its share of the Dutch food market. Hema is a mixed retailer that traditionally has put more emphasis on its non-food range. The retailer always had a good reputation for its food products though and the new owners have announced that they want to increase their share of the fresh food market in particular.

Hema has extended its food range and has lowered prices for bread, fresh sliced meat products and cheese. Prices for these products are now 10 to 15% lower than the average supermarket prices. Hema is positioned as a modern value for money retailer and wants to reinforce this image for its food activities. This new strategy will be implemented today (3rd of September 2007).

Not only has the range been changed, the 150 outlets that have a food department have been remodeled over the past weekend as the look of the store has been changed as well.