The Consumer
Expect consumer spending to rise–it’s an election year
By Linda B. BolidoPhilippine Daily Inquirer
That there is so much cash going around in an election year seems to be confirmed by Kantar Worldpanel’s study, “Filipino Households Behavior and 2013 Outlook.”
The study found that in election years 2007 and 2010, spending by Filipino households rose by about P5 billion more, the growth almost double that for nonelection years.
Surveying 3,000 urban and rural households nationwide, it found that expenditure on food represented more than half of total spending. While the rate was the same in election and nonelection years, it found that in an election year, Filipinos spent an average of 15 percent more per shopping trip.
Rise in expenditure was more pronounced in South Luzon and Mindanao and socio-economic classes C and D. Purchases of soft drinks, instant noodles and pasta registered the highest increases. Items not regularly bought, like energy/sports drinks, air freshener, seasoning powder, bottled water and ice cream saw a significant increase in sales.
Kantar Worldpanel is a leading consumer research agency continuously looking into shoppers’ purchases and behavior, among others.
Honoring confident women
To mark International Women’s Month this March, Tupperware recently honored the 10 women who topped its Search for Women of Confidence. With the slogan “Confidence is my new beauty mark,” the search encouraged women to be the best that they could be. Honorees distinguished themselves in different fields, not just high-profile occupations. They showed courage, self-assurance and an indomitable spirit in everything they did.
The direct-selling company, which has been providing products for food storage and preparation, baby and beauty care, has a global campaign for women’s empowerment, Chain of Confidence, that spreads the message “Confidence begins with me.”
Five-star service
Robinsons Residences is providing its residents a service one usually finds only in five-star hotels—their own concierge. Like the hotel all-around “problem-solver,” the Ring Rob Concierge will help find solutions to problems not covered by the homeowners’ association or even the developer itself—things like repairs and housekeeping services for individual units, delivery of prescription medicines, theater ticket purchases, computer rentals, etc.
The extensive online service is initially available to Bonifacio Global City-based Robinsons Residences homeowners.
The property developer has also launched the RLC Lifestyle Card, “a program that seeks to promote loyalty and enhance the experience among select qualified homeowners of Robinsons Land’s four residential brands.” Offered to fully paid RLC unit buyers, the card is available in Gold and Platinum depending on the price of the property bought. It offers dining perks, retail privileges and appliance discounts, among others.
Pinoy bad habit
Reader Eli Canta bewails the propensity of Filipinos to throw waste anywhere and everywhere. He says littering reflects lack of discipline. He notes that litter is everywhere—in parks, malls and public utility vehicles (PUVs) and on the street. Any huge gathering, he adds, always leaves truckloads of rubbish.
He suggests penalties for littering should be increased and public and private establishments and PUVs be required to provide trash receptacles to make it easier for people to dispose of their rubbish properly. (Actually, many PUVs have trash bins, but commuters simply ignore them and leave rubbish on the seats or toss it outside the window.)
Send letters to The Consumer, Lifestyle Section, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 1098 Chino Roces Ave. cor. Mascardo and Yague Sts., 1204 Makati City; fax 8974793/94; or e-mail lbolido
@inquirer.com.ph.
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Tags: Consumer , Filipino Households , International Women’s Month , Robinsons Residences , Tupperware
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