Unilever: on a road to recovery?

After issuing its first ever profits warning in September last year, the Anglo-Dutch consumer goods giant has worked hard to boost sales and increase competitiveness. However, the extent of Unilever's [ULVR.L] recovery must not be overstated, and the company faces an extremely tough year in the marketplace.

Published By Datamonitor

Unilever/Terra Lycos: marketing today, eCommerce tomorrow?

Published By Datamonitor

Unified policy is key to curbing obesity on both sides of the Atlantic

Despite the well-documented rise in obesity in the US and Europe, the approach of many Western food and beverage manufacturers towards improving their product formulations, labeling and marketing practices remains largely inconsistent from one country to the next. Governments in the West need to adopt a unified policy on nutritional standards to ensure that companies are not left to self-regulate.

Published By Datamonitor

UK wine sales: better than the rest

Published By Datamonitor

UK soft drinks market: carbonates losing their sparkle

The UK soft drinks market is currently undergoing a transition as a growing number of consumers are replacing their once-favored carbonates with options perceived as being healthier. But while increased demand for bottled water and juices has hurt Britvic's bottom line, manufacturers who react positively to the shift should ultimately benefit from a broader product portfolio.

Published By Datamonitor

UK soft and hot drinks: fastest growth in Europe

Published By Datamonitor

UK pubs: pulling a fast one

The newest edition of the Good Pub Guide raises some potential issues of conflict between drinkers, breweries and the pub chains that own the vast majority of pubs. While pub-goers can do little to address some of these conflicts, there are certainly areas where consumers have enough purchasing power to change the pub owners' approach.

Published By Datamonitor

UK pubs: opening all hours

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has hinted that the next Parliament will introduce 24-hour opening for pubs. This has the capacity to spark a sea-change in British drinking habits. However, it isn't a straightforward gain for pub landlords, who will still face challenges from residents, competition from nightclubs, and indifference from drinkers with early starts.

Published By Datamonitor

UK pubs: no smoke without ire?

Although the US experience shows falling profits, a handful of UK pubs have benefited from banning smoking. Pubs catering to diners, women and families will be most likely to profit from a ban. However, the industry would benefit from offering more choice to the consumer and self-regulation rather than legislation.

Published By Datamonitor

UK pubs: longer hours are no benefit

Pub landlords in England and Wales may be laboring under false assumptions: liberalized licensing laws might not deliver them a cash windfall after all. Evidence from two major pub operators suggests that the costs of keeping pubs open longer will overshadow any potential increases in sales.

Published By Datamonitor