Abstract:

Important changes during the past twenty years in the distribution, concerning for instance the number of stores and their average size have very often been mentioned. Significant socio-demographic changes in most of our countries during the past years which have been much less emphasised have also taken place. They have consequences on market trends and market segmentations in terms of brands, varieties and packagings which are of a great and practical interest for marketing people. From consumer panels it is possible to build up indicators showing short and long term changes and their consequences. It is also possible to forecast what the near future will be.