Latest news with #NielsenIQ
The Independent
6 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
The most innovative sustainable packaging is here
SmartSolve is a Business Reporter client SmartSolve is transforming the packaging industry with dissolvable, compostable and recyclable materials designed for sustainability without compromise. A recent study by ERM Shelton Group found that biodegradability is the number one action consumers believe companies should take to improve packaging responsibility. Yet despite its power to influence consumer perception, biodegradability often takes a back seat to recyclability in brand communications. This disconnect reveals a powerful opportunity for innovation – especially as packaging is now firmly in the spotlight of environmental and public health discussions. Sustainable packaging is no longer a nice-to-have – it's an industry imperative. With regulatory efforts such as the MAHA campaign (Make America Healthy Again) in the US bringing attention to microplastics and synthetic materials such as PVOH, consumers and policymakers alike are demanding safer, smarter packaging solutions. Whether you are just dipping your toe in the water of sustainable packaging, or you are a seasoned professional looking for innovative new options, SmartSolve is your partner in eco-friendly packaging solutions poised to change the industry for the better. The growing need for sustainable packaging in the CPG industry Sustainability is now at the forefront of the modern packaging landscape. According to a NielsenIQ study, 78 per cent of US consumers say a sustainable lifestyle is important to them. Similarly, 60 per cent of respondents in a McKinsey survey said they'd pay more for products with sustainable packaging – highlighting how deeply these values influence purchasing behaviour. Key leaders in the CPG space are at the forefront of this shift, facing mounting pressures to align packaging strategies with increased consumer expectations, regulatory mandates and corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals. But with the evolution of sustainability as a key focus in packaging, CPG leaders are still tasked with ensuring the functionality, cost-effectiveness and supply chain efficiency of packaged goods. Balancing these two responsibilities is essential to scaling sustainable packaging. How SmartSolve commits to innovation and sustainability in packaging At SmartSolve, sustainability is more than a trend. It's a core principle that drives innovation and empowers brands to make meaningful environmental progress. By combining cutting-edge material science with a commitment to eco-friendly practices, SmartSolve offers unique packaging solutions that address the growing demand for sustainable alternatives without compromising quality or performance. Bio-based materials SmartSolve's products – face stock, label stock and pouch stock – are crafted using Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified wood pulp fibres and natural cellulose. This ensures every solution is derived from responsibly sourced, renewable resources. With our products made from bio-based ingredients, SmartSolve provides an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional petroleum-based materials, helping brands reduce their reliance on non-renewable resources and ultimately helping to curb the amount of plastic waste in landfills. Water solubility: redefining waste reduction SmartSolve's innovative water-soluble materials disperse in water, meaning they are safe to flush and rinse down in the drain without accumulating in landfills or waterways. This feature is particularly beneficial for single-use applications, as it eliminates the long-term presence of packaging waste. From dissolvable labels to flushable pouch stock, these materials provide an eco-friendly disposal option that brands and consumers alike can feel good about. From tampons to laundry detergent pouches, SmartSolve packaging can be found on products spanning beauty, personal care, food, supplement and beverage industries and beyond. Our bio-based, sustainable packaging materials help packaged goods teams with the solutions they need to meet stringent compliance standards, sustainability regulations and consumer expectations – all while delivering exceptional packaging solutions with no compromise on quality. SmartSolve's innovative packaging portfolio includes: Face stock: high-quality bio-based dissolving paper SmartSolve's water-soluble face stock offers both durability during product use and complete solubility upon disposal. Available in a variety of paper thicknesses, SmartSolve dissolvable paper face stock is the thinnest and fastest dispersing material in our product line. Readily biodegradable, this dissolving paper provides a zero-waste alternative to traditional paper. It has endless market applications, from sanitary paper wrap to pressure-sensitive labels. Label stock: recyclable and dissolvable labels SmartSolve pressure-sensitive label stock is designed to meet the growing demand for flushable and dissolvable label solutions. Whether for laboratory vials or dissolvable instructions on food packaging, these 3PT (thermal transfer capable) and 4PT (direct thermal) pressure-sensitive labels reduce waste while providing a seamless consumer experience. SmartSolve is pleased to announce that it has been recognised by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) as the first paper-based, water-soluble label material to meet PET Critical Guidance. This innovation has earned APR Design® for Recyclability recognition, further validating our commitment to advancing sustainable packaging technologies. Pouch stock: flexible, sustainable packaging for innovative brands SmartSolve's water-soluble and home-compostable pouch stock is a game-changer for flexible packaging needs. Perfect for single-serve food products, powdered drink mixes and personal care items, this dissolvable packaging material combines product protection with environmentally safe disposal options. The growing demand for sustainable packaging solutions isn't slowing down anytime soon. Packaging and brand leaders are adapting their strategies to meet evolving consumer expectations and governing standards, while ensuring cost-effectiveness and supply chain readiness remain consistent. We're excited to roll out even more innovative packaging solutions in 2026 and beyond. Stay tuned!
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
ESG banking: How to choose a bank that aligns with your values
More than ever, consumers are looking for ways to align their actions with their values. Nielsen IQ data from 2022 found that 78% of consumers value a sustainable lifestyle. If you're part of this majority, you may be looking for additional ways to support the causes you care about, including in your financial life. If so, ESG banking may be right for you. Where traditional banking may prioritize profit and growth over sustainability, ESG banking aims to put values first. If you're concerned about the impacts financial institutions are having on the world — and want to put your money where your values are — learn more about ESG banking and how to choose the right bank for you. This embedded content is not available in your region. ESG stands for environmental, social, and governance issues. These three pillars broadly support sustainability, but cover a wide range of factors. Here's a breakdown of each: Environmental: The environmental perspective focuses on a company's impact on the environment. This may include addressing climate change impact, pollution, declining biodiversity, and more. These environmental threats can hurt more than just the planet — they can negatively impact a company's reputation and harm employees or stakeholders. Social: Social factors include how a company interacts with and affects its stakeholders, such as customers, owners, employees, and the local community. Potential threats to these issues include discrimination, a lack of transparency, and investing in harmful industries or practices. Governance: Governance refers to a company's integrity and how well it avoids corruption. Ignoring these governance issues can hurt customers, employees, the environment, and a company's reputation. In many cases, environmental, social, and governance issues overlap. For instance, poor governance can lead to environmental degradation and have negative impacts on communities. Generally speaking, ESG banking considers the environmental, social, and governance issues in how financial companies operate. In practice, this might look like investing in ESG funds, offsetting carbon emissions, or donating to ESG-related nonprofits. However, there's no official definition of ESG or what it entails. Many issues fit under the ESG umbrella, and banks may define ESG differently. Several firms assign a metric called an 'ESG score' to banks and other companies. One such firm is S&P Global. While scoring models can vary by firm, S&P Global's scores measure 'a company's performance on and management of material ESG risks, opportunities, and impacts informed by a combination of company disclosures, media and stakeholder analysis, modeling approaches, and in-depth company engagement via the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA).' Read more: 9 common types of banks: Which one is right for you? Because there's no universal or official definition of ESG banking, there aren't perfect examples of 'ESG banks.' However, there are several banks that make ESG a central focus of their mission and marketing. Some examples include: Amalgamated Bank: Carbon-neutral; invests in clean energy, environmental protection, health and wellness, and community empowerment Beneficial State Bank: Fossil-free certified; finances clean energy systems; lends to mission-impact sectors and businesses led by marginalized groups Climate First Bank: Carbon-neutral operation; finances clean energy and affordable housing Forbright Bank: Offers sustainable lending; has carbon-neutral operations and LEED-certified buildings; donates to nonprofit organizations GreenFi (formerly Aspiration): Offers carbon offsets; has a rewards program for sustainable spending; donates to climate action nonprofits Read more: The 10 best national and super regional banks of 2025 The easiest way to look up a bank's ESG score is to enter the bank's name and 'ESG score' into a search engine. For example, to look up JPMorgan Chase's ESG score, you could enter "JPMorgan Chase ESG score' in Google's search bar. You can also search for a bank in a specific scoring company's database. Examples of entities that publish ESG scores include: S&P Global Morningstar Sustainalytics LSEG MSCI Keep in mind that scores can vary by firm, as there's no standard procedure for ranking a bank's ESG score. If you want a better understanding of what these scores mean, you'll have to dig into each company's methodology. The benefits of ESG banking may be obvious to you if you're personally interested in ESG causes. But these benefits can also extend to other stakeholders, such as the banks themselves, their local communities, and the environment. Here are a few broad benefits of ESG banking: You can align your financial activity with your values. Beyond your personal habits, ESG banking allows you to financially support causes you believe in. Local communities can feel a positive impact. By holding themselves to higher environmental, social, and governance standards, banks can have bigger positive impacts on the communities they serve. This can look like donating money to nonprofits, building sustainable bank branches, or investing in local industries. Banks invest in environmentally friendly causes and infrastructure: ESG banking can direct money away from harmful industries and toward sustainable ones. For example, banks might invest in renewable energy instead of tobacco or fossil fuel companies. The popularity of ESG banking can cause a domino effect: As ESG banking becomes the norm, customers will expect it. Banks that aren't already focused on ESG may begin to feel the pressure to adapt to stay competitive, leading to a larger global impact. ESG banking may be a good financial move: While there isn't a clear consensus on the data, several studies show that ESG investing delivers similar or better results compared to traditional investing. If you're committed to finding a bank that aligns with your values, it may take some research. Start by visiting a bank's website and looking for something called an 'impact report,' 'ESG report,' or 'sustainability report,' which you can often find in the website's 'About' section. These reports often share detailed data about the company's lending portfolio, philanthropy, workforce inclusivity, and more. For a third-party perspective, you can look up specific banks' ESG scores. Be sure to review the corresponding methodology so you can understand how the bank was rated. Finally, confirm that a bank offers the financial products, services, and features you need before opening a new account. Read more: How to switch banks: An easy step-by-step guide
Zawya
10-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
NIQ Consumer Tech Trends: The consumer's hunt for value reshapes the South African market
NielsenIQ (NIQ), a leading consumer intelligence company, has recently released its Consumer Tech Industry Trends 2025 report, forecasting global Consumer Tech & Durables (T&D) sales will reach $1.29tn – driven by emerging markets, replacement cycles, and premium innovation – in the year ahead. The value of the Middle East & Africa market is expected to rise around 2% to $68bn. Building on value growth of just 1.2% and unit growth of 3.5% for the first quarter, the South African T&D sector is expected to be shaped by volume-driven purchases and value-conscious buying for the rest of 2025. Zak Haeri, managing director for NIQ in South Africa 'Two dynamics are driving price pressures in the South African T&D market in 2025. On the one hand, disruptive Chinese brands are rapidly moving into the country with attractive products spanning entry level, mid-range and premium price points,' says Zak Haeri, managing director for South Africa at NIQ. 'On the other, consumer behaviour is shifting as South Africans continue to adopt a purpose-driven approach to spending that prioritises value. 'Value' includes durability, quality, and convenience, as well as personalisation, rich features, and affordability. Consumers need to be convinced of value for money before they upgrade or replace products.' Top 2025 Tech Trends in South Africa Consumers need compelling reasons to upgrade Many South African T&D segments are saturated, with consumers holding on to their televisions, computers, smartphones and appliances for longer. For consumers to justify replacing their existing products, they must be convinced of the enhanced performance and experience they'll get in return for their money. Brands need smart strategies to capitalise on the moment when a consumer is ready to upgrade or replace. Competition from Chinese brands heats up Chinese brands have scored impressive wins in the South African television and smartphone markets over the past few years, driving fierce price competition. They have captured market share by offering better specs and more feature-rich configurations at lower prices. The success of Chinese brands in TVs and smartphones is creating a brand halo effect that is spreading to categories, such as home appliances. This trend may accelerate as Chinese brands seek new markets for excess inventory due to tariff-related sales declines in the US. Promos and specials still move the needle In a price-sensitive market, major promotional events and opportunities matter. On a global level, a third of tech sales in 2024 occurred during seven key promotions, up from 29% in 2021. NIQ expect shoppers in 2025 to plan around seasonal deals more than ever. T&D sales in South Africa will remain dominated by a few events on the annual retail calendar, including Back to School, Winter Sales, Christmas, and, especially, Black Friday. Smartphones: Prepaid gains, postpaid pains The smartphone market is undergoing a structural shift in South Africa. The prepaid segment is growing, driven by value offerings and operator support. Postpaid is declining, especially in the premium segment, with inconsistent performance outside flagship launches. Consumers keeping their phones for longer may be one reason for the decline in postpaid contracts. Emerging players with competitive pricing and innovation are reshaping consumer preferences. Smartwatches: Sales shrink but entry-level grows Unlike the global wearables market, South Africa's smartwatch market is contracting, particularly in the R8,000–R12,000 mid-tier. Entry-level models are gaining traction, pulling demand from higher tiers. Promotions are driving short-term gains but not long-term stability. Panel TVs: Contraction and innovation The value of the panel television market is shrinking due to soft growth for QLED products and larger screen sizes. Competition from new brands, primarily Chinese companies, is heating up. Opportunities remain in select screen sizes (50–60") despite the overall contraction of the market. Gaming monitors are thriving, with the All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
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Business Standard
09-07-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
61% of young Indians prioritise health insurance amid rising costs: Report
As healthcare costs surge across India, a growing number of young Indians are making health insurance a priority. According to a recent survey by HDFC ERGO General Insurance and NielsenIQ, 61 per cent of millennials and Gen Z respondents prefer to invest in health insurance as part of their financial planning. Rising costs trigger demand The study, conducted among 2,200 respondents in 17 tier-II and tier-III cities, highlights how escalating medical expenses are prompting younger generations to secure coverage. Nearly 37 per cent of participants cited rising treatment costs as the main reason for purchasing health insurance, while 36 per cent were attracted by wellness benefits such as health check-ups. 'Millennials and Gen Z account for over half of India's population. Their evolving expectations are reshaping the insurance industry,' said Anuj Tyagi, managing director and chief executive officer of HDFC ERGO General Insurance. 'They value transparency, quick turnaround times, and hyper-personalised services.' Barriers to adoption remain Despite this growing interest, gaps persist. The survey revealed that 44 per cent of Gen Z respondents are hesitant due to lack of awareness, while 43 per cent of millennials rely on their employer's group health insurance and feel no need for a separate plan. Preference for offline purchases Interestingly, even as India's youth embrace technology, a significant majority still prefer offline channels for buying policies. About 60 per cent of millennials and Gen Z purchase health insurance through agents, citing trust and the need for guidance during claims as key reasons. What young buyers look for? When evaluating policies, 27 per cent prioritise a wide hospital network and 24 per cent value simple policy terms. Family and friends play a key role in influencing Gen Z's decisions, while millennials often use aggregator websites to compare options. As medical inflation continues to strain household budgets, financial planners stress the importance of early health insurance planning. Flexible premium payments and comprehensive coverage are now emerging as must-have features for India's younger population.
Irish Examiner
07-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Catherine Conlon: Drop in US junk food sales the break we need to cut unhealthy diets
Our food system is killing us. Designed to produce cheap calories after the second world war, it is now the cause of one in four adult deaths globally – more than 12 million a year that are due to poor diets. As always, it is the poorest and most marginalised who are most likely to be sicker and die sooner. But a slowdown in sales of snack foods in the US is an opportunity to accelerate a growing momentum away from unhealthy foods that have precipitated a global obesity crisis and an epidemic of chronic disease including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. The introduction of a junk food tax that is used to subsidise the cost of healthier food options like fruit and vegetables, fresh meat, fish and wholegrains has the potential to accelerate this momentum. It could also be used to support producers of whole foods. The combination of supports would have the potential to transform the food market and make life easier and better for everyone. A report in the Financial Times confirms that America's appetite for snacks is turning sour. Biscuits, chocolate bars and crisps are being left on the shelves as US consumers tighten their purse strings, according to grocery scanner tracker Circana. The shift away from junk food has been underpinned by the arrival of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. The sale of sweet treats has fallen by 6.1% and salty snacks by 1.2% in the US in the last year, according to checkout data collected by NielsenIQ. The shift has also been underpinned by the arrival of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, such as Ozempic as well as increasing concern about the health risks of eating ultra-processed foods. US Consumer goods industry consultancy, Big Chalk Analytics, estimate that GLP-1 medications has already caused US grocery losses of between 1.2 and 2.9%. Nik Modi, a consumer goods analyst at RBC Capital Markets, told the Financial Times that he believed "a big chunk" of the sales decline was down to "the economy". The snacks being hardest hit are reported to be those that are laden with salt and sugar while healthier alternatives like nutrition bars and yogurts are growing, according to market research firm Spins. US consumer staples analyst at Bank of America, Peter Galbo suggested that with budgets under pressure consumers were tending to either spend more for a snack they see as healthier or trade down to a value brand. Governments can use taxation, laws on marketing, labelling, advertising and ingredients and other policies to shift the food environment. They can provide social and economic safety nets for low-income communities. Yet the rate of progress in implementing these policy levers is excruciatingly slow because policy makers do not feel they have the public mandate to introduce the steps that are needed. And because the food industry will baulk at anything that impacts on shareholder profit. Research from Northeastern University's Network Science Institute indicates that almost three quarters (73%) of the US food supply is ultra-processed, as is around 60% of the average American's diet. The study defined ultra-processed according to the NOVA food classification system. These foods are hyper-palatable 'industrial formulations' that stray from their organic origins. Most processed foods are derived from substances such as oils, fats, sugar, starch or are synthesised from flavour enhancers, colours, and other additives. While not yet in quite the same league as the US, in Ireland almost half (45.9%) of household purchases come from ultra-processed food resulting in one of the unhealthiest food systems in Europe. Only the UK (50.7%) and Germany (46.2%) are higher with countries at the lower end including Portugal (10.2%), Italy (13.4%) and Greece (13.7%), according to data published in Public Health Nutrition (2018). Yet we somehow accept this as normal. A recent UK report found that a basket of healthy food costs more than double that of less healthy options. The Food Foundation found that 1,000 calories of healthy food such as fruit and veg costs £8.80 compared to £4.30 for the equivalent amount of less healthy food, such as ready meals and processed meats. The charity warned that low-income families are being priced out of being able to afford to eat healthily. What would really make a difference is for governments to disincentivise unhealthy foods while using subsidies and pricing to incentivise healthier food purchases for all, especially low income households and families. A junk food tax to subsidise healthy options Subsidies for healthy food - including fruit and vegetables but also meat, fish, and wholegrains - would mean that consumers pay less for whole foods instead of calorie dense foods that have had all the healthy fibre and nutrients removed to prolong shelf life and filled with saturated fat, sugar, salt and additives to give the food the 'bliss' factor that consumers crave. We have seen this work with the sugary drinks tax, introduced in Ireland and the UK in 2018, resulting in a precipitous drop in the consumption of drinks that fell into the tax band. It was followed by a rapid response from the industry in reformulating drinks products to ensure that sugar levels fell below levels that would fall into the tax band. In 2023, Colombia did just that with the implementation of a tax on ultra-processed foods – one of the first countries to take such a measure to tackle obesity, diabetes and other lifestyle diseases. The tax is being implemented gradually beginning at 10%, before rising to 15% in 2024 and 20% in 2025 – specifically targeting foods that are high in salt and saturated fat, as well as industrially manufactured pre-packaged foods. Foods to fall under the 'junk food law' include sausages, ham, ketchup, tinned foods, sweets, jam, fried goods, biscuits, cakes, cereals, pizza, breaded meat and energy bars. Imagine if consumers on a budget passed along the aisle and sought cheaper whole foods like fresh meat, fish, eggs, wholegrains, fruit and vegetables. A junk food tax could also be directed towards producers to subsidise the production of healthy food locally, allowing producers to make a living from growing foods that would be used to supply local retailers, markets and school programmes, as well as other public institutions that provide food like hospitals, nursing homes, prisons and public services. This is not rocket science. It involves much more than platitudes and empty words. It would involve a commitment by policy makers to address rising levels of food poverty, obesity, and chronic disease across our society that is caused by a lack of access and affordability to one of the most basic of human needs – healthy whole foods. Dr Catherine Conlon is a public health doctor in Cork and former director of human health and nutrition, safefood
