- by Leon Mengri
- May 30 2018
- consumer trends
- environment
- services & miscellaneous
- water
Water Use Concerns Drive Changing Landscape Trends
Consumers are showing greater interest in landscaping features besides lawns, such as gardens, native grasses, plants, and shrubs. A key reason involves environmental concerns and local regulations regarding water use, which have become increasingly important, particularly in areas that feature water scarcity. To succeed in the face of these concerns, landscaping service firms must tailor their offerings to include a wider array of services that address environmental considerations such as reducing water use.
- by Luke Hickman
- May 14 2018
- automotive
US Electric Vehicle Models Expected to Proliferate in 2020s
In 2017, vehicles with electric-powered drivetrains made up only a small share of US light vehicle sales. However, many companies have announced plans to introduce multiple models of electric vehicles by 2023.
- by Luke Hickman
- May 14 2018
- consumer goods
- direct-to-consumer
- internet
- retail
Leather & Fur Suppliers Adapt to New Retail Environment
In recent years, brick-and-mortar retailers have struggled to cope with shifts in consumer behaviors. Every year, internet shopping plays a bigger role in the overall retail scene. Many suppliers of consumer products, including leather, fur, and allied products, have been affected by the distress of this traditional retail channel and increasingly are seeking out new channels so as to avoid suffering the same fate.
- by James Lacy
- May 9 2018
- water
Water Use is Impacted by Activity in Utilities, Manufacturing, Mining, & Municipal Sectors
US water use is forecast to total 138 trillion gallons in 2022. Growth in population, electricity generation, and manufacturing output will support water use. Over the 2007-2017 period, water use in volume terms fell at an average annual rate of nearly 1.0%, negatively impacted by factors such as a decline in electricity generation, conservation efforts, and the use of water-efficient technologies (e.g., low-flow toilets and closed-loop power plant cooling systems).
- by Luke Hickman
- May 9 2018
- internet
The Rise of Digital Advertising Brings Some Challenges
As consumer eyeballs have moved from TV and print media to online, advertising spenders have followed. Expenditures on print advertising have experienced long-term decline as advertisers have shifted spending to internet advertising. While traditionally dominant advertising channels such as TV and radio continue to play an important role in media consumption, digital media – including the use of apps, social media, internet videos, and web browsing – is becoming the leading category. As a result, advertisers are diverting spending from TV advertising to internet-based ads.
- by Luke Hickman
- May 9 2018
- automotive
- technology
Electronic Component Use Speeding Up in Motor Vehicles
Motor vehicles increasingly feature more electronic components as electronic systems become more sophisticated and advanced drivetrain components become more widespread. Increasing global output of motor vehicles will combine with the expanding scope of products in which electronic components are used as significant drivers of growth.
- by Chris Dyer
- May 9 2018
- food and beverage
- Trade
Seeds of Doubt Sprouting Among US Farmers
As the Trump administration mulls over making changes to the US ethanol mandate and China proposes tariffs on US agricultural imports, US farmers are growing increasingly anxious. Two key field crops may be significantly impacted by the decisions.
- by Leon Mengri
- May 7 2018
- food
- food trends
- healthy snacks
- marketing
- nuts
Branding Makes Pistachios Trendy
Investments in branding, marketing, and distribution help to explain the growing popularity of pistachios.
- by Chris Dyer
- May 7 2018
- Metals & Minerals
Phosphate Rock’s Chosen Few
As the US phosphate rock market grows more consolidated each year, new firms find it increasingly difficult to overcome barriers to entry.
- by Chris Dyer
- May 7 2018
- Energy & Resources
- food
- Materials & Chemicals
- oil
- pet food
Squeezing More Value Out of Soybean Products
Demand for soybean products is projected to reach 45.9 million tons in 2022. Amid a sea of regulations impacting the use of soybean products in applications ranging from food to fuel, suppliers have begun to develop crops with specific traits in order to produce soybeans and soybean products with more desirable attributes suitable for specific roles.