MAC Research

Aware of the shift in consumer behaviour from buying branded products to purchasing their supermarket own label counterparts, MAC Smarter Research were curious to understand if this pattern will ‘stick’ if and when the economic situation in the UK improves .🔎 To this end, we commissioned our own research to look into past, current and future purchasing habits across 11 mainstream categories in the UK ranging from biscuits to soft drinks, to laundry detergents with a view to understanding what is driving changing behaviour, the factors that may reverse such a shift and also to compare the data between key product categories. Some of the headlines: 🛍️ Nearly half of UK grocery shoppers are now shopping at cheaper supermarkets due to the impact of recent economic events. 📈 Despite electing to shop at cheaper stores, the majority are spending more on their grocery shop nowadays with almost two-fifths stating ‘a lot more’. 📊 All 11 categories covered see a proportional increase in own label purchasing compared to branded items. Pet Food purchasing is the most habit-bound with some 20% reporting that they have increased the proportion of own label cat food and 21% for dog food. This compares to 45% for the biscuits category which shows the biggest own label ‘swing’. But will consumers stick with own label should their economic situation improve and are some categories/brands more exposed? 🧾 Keep an eye out for further posts on our UK Market Spotlight: Brands vs Own Label where we look at this and more, including what other money-saving tactics consumers are adopting aside from purchasing own label, and what specific brands and product categories consumers would never replace with an own label. Follow MAC Smarter Research and contact our founder Mike Alborough directly at Michael.Alborough@MAC-Research.co.uk for more information on the results or indeed go into the interactive reporting dashboard (see below) where you have access to the full public data set and can slice and dice using the easy-to-use filter tool. https://lnkd.in/ek8gd9rT #MarketResearch  #fmcg #Insights

Christmas has come early for our clients! 🎄 We recently wrapped up a complex 5-market study, leaving a new client’s Marketing Director thrilled, saying: “Christmas has come early, thank you!” 🎁 Using the MAC Research interactive reporting platform, the client team gained immediate access to: 🔎 Presentation charts and insights 🔎 A comprehensive dataset 🔎 Advanced subgroup filtering and cross-tabulation functionality 🔎 Easily exportable This cutting-edge delivery method is a game-changer for multi-market studies and trackers, empowering teams to dive into the data and insights anytime. A massive well done to our amazing team— Michael Alborough, Chloe Parker, Richard Snoxell and Glynis Naughton — who delivered truly smarter research to help our client achieve their goals. 👏 #MarketResearch #SmarterResearch #ClientSuccess #Insight

Celebrating 6 Years of MAC Smarter Research! 🎉 This month marks our 6th anniversary, a milestone that celebrates the trust and partnerships we’ve built with clients worldwide. By adopting the best elements from both traditional agencies and the agile agencies/platforms into a bespoke approach, we’ve remained committed to delivering exceptional, data-driven insights, and empowering brands to make smarter decisions with confidence. A big thank you to our incredible team, partners, and clients who have been part of this journey. Here’s to many more years of growth, innovation, and success together! 🥂 #MarketResearch #Milestone #Insight

Welcoming Joseph Murphy to the MAC Smarter Research Team! 🌟 We’re excited to introduce Joe, our newest Junior Research Executive. Joe’s academic background is in psychology, most recently from the University of Bath where he completed his master's degree in Applied Clinical Psychology. This background provides a great foundation for understanding people and why they make the decisions they do, which is ideal for a market researcher! In his role at MAC, Joe will primarily be a key support on our global brand tracker projects but will also get involved in ad hoc studies across a range of categories. Welcome, Joe! We look forward to seeing how you’ll grow with us at MAC Smarter Research. #NewStarter #MarketResearch

Welcoming Fiona Brady to the MAC Smarter Research Team! 🌟 We’re thrilled to introduce Fiona, our newest Junior Research Executive. Her fresh perspective and academic expertise make her an exciting addition to our growing team. Fiona joins us from the University of Bristol, where she recently completed an integrated Masters in Psychology with Innovation. This unique background equips her with a solid foundation in understanding consumer behaviour, an asset that aligns seamlessly with our mission to deliver impactful insights. In her role, Fiona will support a range of ad-hoc projects across our diverse client base. As she builds her expertise in the market research industry, she’ll bring valuable, research-led insights grounded in consumer psychology to help our clients make data-driven decisions. Welcome, Fiona! We’re excited to see the impact you’ll make at MAC Smarter Research. #NewStarter #MarketResearch

We’re delighted to announce that Gagan Kaur Ruprah MBPsS has been promoted to Senior Research Exec at MAC Research! Gagan has shown exceptional skill and dedication, particularly in managing our brand tracking studies, including one of the largest continuous trackers spanning 19 markets worldwide. This role requires precision and excellent project management abilities, and Gagan consistently rises to the challenge.🔎 In addition to her tracking expertise, Gagan has been involved in various ad hoc projects and is building a deep knowledge of the skincare sector. Her keen interest in Business Development further highlights her commitment to growing with us.👏🏻 Congratulations, Gagan! We’re excited to see all you’ll achieve in your new role.📈 #CareerGrowth #PromotionSuccess #MarketResearch

Halloween’s Global Transformation 🎃 Halloween, once a modest holiday, has exploded into a major retail ‘season’, with Walmart’s acquisition of ASDA in 1999 as a catalyst for the UK. By introducing American-style Halloween promotions, ASDA quickly popularised the holiday, turning it into one of the most commercially significant events of the year. As a result, UK Halloween spending now surpasses £1.07 Billion annually (https://loom.ly/b71xaOg), fuelled by consumers of all ages seeking out costumes, decorations, and themed foods. This trend reflects a global shift, where Halloween has moved beyond trick-or-treating to become an experience-based celebration. The retail and research landscape is fascinating, as brands embrace data to anticipate and meet seasonal demands. At MAC Research, we’re excited to help brands and businesses leverage insights to navigate seasonal changes and capitalise on these ever-evolving market opportunities. Happy Halloween!🎃👻💀 #ConsumerTrends #MarketResearch #Halloween

We are thrilled to announce that Chloe Parker has been promoted to Senior Research Executive at MAC Research! Since joining the team, Chloe has consistently demonstrated outstanding dedication, attention to detail, and a passion for delving deeper and delivering smart insights across a broad range of categories, ranging from chocolate to foot care! 🥳 Her hard work and commitment have made a significant impact, and this promotion is a well-deserved recognition of her talent and contributions. We’re excited to see Chloe continue to bring fresh ideas and drive success in her new role.🔎 Congratulations, Chloe! We look forward to your continued growth and achievements.👏🏻 #CareerGrowth #PromotionSuccess #MarketResearch

No Tricks, Just Treats for Your Business! 🧙♀️ With Halloween around the corner, don’t let the fear of high research costs hold your business back. At MAC Smarter Research, we provide valuable insights that can help your business grow — without the steep price tag. Do you have a business challenge or a brief that you want us to get our fangs into? – contact Michael@MAC-Research.co.uk #MarketResearch #Insights #Halloween

At MAC Smarter Research, we don’t just provide insights — we deliver fast, cost-effective solutions tailored to your needs. From accelerated timelines to customisable, interactive reporting, we ensure you get the answers you need, when you need them, without compromising on quality. But don’t just take our word for it. One of our clients says it best: “It started with a few simple projects requiring a fast turnaround, but MAC quickly earned our trust. Their deep knowledge, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness are unmatched. For our Global Marketing & Insight team, ‘Let’s do a MAC’ is now standard practice.” - Global Insights Director Experience the smarter way to do research. Partner with MAC Smarter Research today. #MarketResearch #Insights