Consumer Attitudes & Behavior

Shares of General Mills climbed to the highest level since June 2010 on speculation that the maker of Cheerios cereal may be acquired by Nestle SA. Members of the media and financial analysts have mixed views about the validity of the rumors, but most agree that the combination would be a logical match.

Shares of General Mills Inc. climbed to the highest level since June 2010 thanks to speculation that the maker of Cheerios and Progresso may be acquired by Nestle SA.

In 2010, marketers distributed 332 billion CPG coupons, the largest single-year distribution quantity ever recorded in the United States. A new report sheds light on distribution and redemption trends.

The two companies are will continue to deliver family entertainment with the addition of five more movies to the Family Movie Night initiative in 2011.

A survey of 25,099 U.S. consumers reveals top brands in 46 categories -- from airlines and appliances to toothpaste and sweets. Heres a look at which consumer goods brands were recognized for having the best consumer sentiment in 2011.

In spite of ongoing economic and market challenges, the manufacturers of these brands showed their grit in 2010. They invested to understand the roles their products could play in helping consumers navigate difficult financial waters. And, they used that knowledge to develop and deliver powerful new products.

Two new Aberdeen reports prove that personalization of the in-store customer experience will be a key objective for retailers over the next two years. Here are the customer satisfaction strategies you can expect from your retail customers in 2011.

The last two decades could aptly be described as the Wal-Mart era in retailing. In 1990, its revenue was $32 billion. In 2010 it ballooned to $405 billion. Today, however, cracks are appearing in the empire Sam Walton built.