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18 PRODUCT OF THE YEAR PLANT-BASED EMBRACED AS SHOPPERS VOTE FOR HEALTHY MTore than 9000 Australian shoppers have had their say and cast votes in the Product of the Year Awards 2021. he world’s largest consumer-based awards program been seeking products and services that deliver value, quality is now in its 12th year in Australia, recognising and peace of mind”. product innovation and serving as a shortcut for With the pandemic also causing major disruptions to usual shoppers, saving them time and money. shopping habits, consumer numbers trying new products and Shoppers have heavily given their nod to healthier, plant- brands surged, with 64 per cent of those surveyed buying based products. Product of the Year Director Sarah Connelly says, “it’s clear that as we head into 2021, many shoppers will be highly conscious of their diets, and will seek more plant- based products and a healthier lifestyle”. She adds that this sentiment is backed by recent Roy Morgan research indicating that nearly 2.5 million Australians have either completely moved to a vegetarian diet or are close to doing so. “It’s clear that as we head into 2021, many shoppers will be highly conscious of their diets, and will seek more plant-based products and a healthier lifestyle”. These findings have been echoed by the Product of the Year Awards consumer research undertaken by Nielsen, which found that during the height, so far, of the Covid-19 pandemic in Australia, consumers “became more risk averse and have something they were previously unfamiliar with (Product of the Year Australia 2021 ‘Diagnostic Report 2021’). According to Ms Connelly, Covid-19 has impacted all areas of our lives, with shopping experiences taking a massive hit in the early stages of the pandemic. “But we’ve been impressed to see the way brands have adapted and expanded their offerings to give consumers more options across a wide range of categories to suit all tastes and lifestyles,” she said. Product of the Year’s newest awards category, ‘Ones to watch’, recognises innovative products from smaller companies that may be unable to enter the main awards program due to the early stage of their brand, growth and distribution journey. Pharmacy and skin care products made a strong showing this year, taking out eight of the 29 awards on offer across the beauty, oral care and skin care categories. In this issue, Retail Pharmacy showcases those products relevant to the channel. RETAIL PHARMACY • JAN/FEB 2021 TO PAGE 20