IRELAND CONSUMER CONFIDENCE

Transcription

1 In Progress IRELAND CONSUMER CONFIDENCE Q REPORT

2 IRELAND S SENTIMENT REMAINS STEADY IRELAND Consumer confidence remained steady at an index of 65 in Q1 2013(+0pts). Recessionary mind-set still pessimistic at 95%. Only 14% are optimistic about future job prospects (-4). 30% are optimistic about Finances (+3), however only 26% are ready to spend (+0). CONCERNS AND SPENDING INTENTIONS Q Biggest Concerns are The Economy (-2), Job Security (-1) and Debt (+0). 85% say they have changed household spending in order to save (+1). Those with no spare cash increased (+1) to 28% as did Saving (+3) to 33% Drop of (-6) to 66% for those Switching to Cheaper Grocery Brands. 2 IRELAND CONSUMER CONFIDENCE

3 GLOBAL CONSUMER CONFIDENCE Q COUNTRIES 3-MONTH TREND Q NIELSEN CONSUMER CONFIDENCE INDEX HUNGARY 42 CROATIA 43 PORTUGAL 33 GREECE SOUTH KOREA UNITED STATES ITALY GERMANY SPAIN ISRAEL FRANCE AUSTRALIA BULGARIA VIETNAM ROMANIA DENMARK POLAND SAUDI ARABIA LESS CONFIDENT SLOVAKIA SINGAPORE IRELAND CHILE UKRAINE PERU CZECH REPUBLIC SWITZERLAND LATVIA CANADA ARGENTINA NORWAY VENEZUELA MALAYSIA ESTONIA HONG KONG 80 COLOMBIA RUSSIA 83 SWEDEN 83 TURKEY 87 PAKISTAN 90 NEW ZEALAND 89 MEXICO 90 AUSTRIA JAPAN CHINA EGYPT UNITED ARAB EMIRATES LITHUANIA BRAZIL FINLAND PHILIPPINES BELGIUM INDIA TAIWAN 78 NETHERLANDS 80 UNITED KINGDOM THAILAND SOUTH AFRICA INDEX COUNTRY GLOBAL AVERAGE 122 INDONESIA MORE CONFIDENT ( +2 change from Q ) +5 INDEXES ABOVE 100 INDICATE OPTIMISM NORTH AMERICA LATIN AMERICA EUROPE MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA, PAKISTAN ASIA-PACIFIC *Survey is based on respondents with Internet access. China survey results reflect a mixed methodology. Index levels above and below 100 indicate degrees of optimism/pessimism. Copyright 2013 The Nielsen Company 3

4 EUROPE S POLARISED RECESSION VS RECOVERY RATES WIDEN Global consumer confidence indexed at 93 in Q1 2013, as key economies in North America, Asia, and Europe reported improvements in economic sentiments. The measure of 93 is one point lower than Q (94) and two points higher than measured in Q (91). A score below 100 shows general pessimism and above shows optimism. Consumer confidence levels rose in 18 of 29 European countries in Q1 2013, a reversal of the fourth quarter of 2012 in which confidence levels fell in 20 countries, according to the latest figures from Nielsen, a leading global provider of information and insights into what consumers watch and buy. Despite some strong increases, European consumer confidence overall, remained at 71 index points (as in Q4 2012). In comparison Asia Pacific (103) was up two points, North America (94) up four points, Latin America (94) down two points, and the Middle East/ Africa (85) down 11 points. Norway (105), up three points, remains the only measured country in Europe enjoying net optimism (a score above the 100 baseline). However some key European economies reported improved consumer confidence; Germany (+3), France (+2), Italy (+5), plus many other surrounding central and northern European countries reported increases in positive sentiment for local job prospects, personal finances and spending intentions, returning to year-ago levels after a general dip, although unemployment throughout much of the Euro zone remains high. The biggest consumer confidence increases in Europe were reported in Denmark and Finland, up seven points each to an index of 96 and 76, respectively. A quarterly increase of five index points was reported in Switzerland (100), Czech Republic (67), Slovakia (62) and Hungary (42). For Ireland, sentiment notably stayed steady at 65. Europe now hosts 15 of the 16 countries with the lowest measured consumer confidence with only South Korea standing among them. Ireland ranks 13th lowest globally. The Nielsen Global Survey of Consumer Confidence and Spending Intentions, established in 2005, measures consumer confidence, major concerns and spending intentions among more than 29,000 respondents with Internet access in 58 countries. CONSUMER CONFIDENCE INCREASED IN 18 OF 29 EUROPEAN MARKETS IN Q1 INDEX CHANGE FROM Q Denmark Finland Switzerland Czech Republic Slovakia Italy Hungary Greece Netherlands Norway Austria Germany Sweden Belgium Lithuania France Estonia Croatia 0 65 Ireland 0 46 Spain Russia Latvia Ukraine United Kingdom Bulgaria Romania Portugal Poland Turkey Source: Nielsen Global Online Survey Q IRELAND CONSUMER CONFIDENCE

5 WE SUSPECT THAT FEARS OF THE EUROPEAN DEBT CRISIS SPREADING BEYOND RECESSION-STRICKEN SOUTHERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES MAY HAVE EASED IN THE FIRST QUARTER. HOWEVER, WEAK LABOUR MARKET CONDITIONS IN TROUBLED ECONOMIES, INCLUDING GREECE, IRELAND, ITALY, PORTUGAL AND SPAIN, AND THE RECENT CYPRUS FINANCIAL CRISIS ARE FURTHER INDICATIONS OF THE FRAGILE STATE OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMY, WHICH CONTINUE TO HINDER A FULL RECOVERY IN THE REGION. DR. VENKATESH BALA, CHIEF ECONOMIST AT THE CAMBRIDGE GROUP PRICE REMAINS THE GROWTH DRIVER IN FMCG Latest results from the Nielsen FMCG European Growth Reporter Q1 2013¹ revealed price is driving growth, with volume performance varied across markets. Ireland results revealed price inflation of 3.3%, and volume decline of -5.6%. Result was a nominal growth of -2.3%, lowest since Q1 2010; EUROPEAN GROWTH REPORTER Q SUMMARY Reality N⁰ 1: European overall value growth remains robust at 3.3% The nominal growth erosion from previous quarters has eased Best nominal growth figures are coming from Turkey, Finland and Austria The only countries with negative value growth are Greece and Ireland Reality N⁰ 2: European food price inflation is confirmed at 3.1% 8 countries have price evolution above >3% In Norway and Greece, the price growth was negative Reality N⁰ 3: Volume growth is very disparate across the European markets This quarter, overall volume growth returns to black The best volume growth comes from Norway and Turkey Ireland and Hungary are posting the largest volume declines Copyright 2013 The Nielsen Company 5

6 Q GROWTH RATES PER COUNTRY FAST MOVING CONSUMER GOODS MARKET DYNAMICS (VERSUS Q1 2012) 11.6% 0.2% 0.6% 1.1% 1.4% 1.4% 1.5% 2.0% 2.1% 2.3% 2.8% 2.8% 2.9% 2.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 5.0% 5.2% -2.3% -2.3% GREECE IRELAND ITALY SPAIN POLAND DENMARK FRANCE HUNGARY SWITZERLAND NORWAY CZECH REP. BELGIUM NETHERLANDS GERMANY PORTUGAL SLOVAKIA SWEDEN UK AUSTRIA FINLAND TURKEY UNIT VALUE VOLUME GROWTH NOMINAL VALUE GROWTH Source: Nielsen European Growth Reporter Q IRELAND FAST MOVING CONSUMER GOODS MARKET DYNAMICS 3.2% -2.2% 1.0% 1.7% 2.2% 1.6% 2.3% 0.6% 1.2% 1.5% 1.7% 1.3% 0.1% -1.0% -0.5% -1.1% -0.2% -1.6% 2.9% 3.8% 2.8% 3.1% 2.4% 1.3% 1.7% 0.5% 0.2% -1.1% -0.2% -0.7% -1.0% -0.8% -0.3% 3.3% -2.3% -5.6% Q1'11 Q2'11 Q3'11 Q4'11 Q1'12 Q2'12 Q3'12 Q4'12 Q1'13 UNIT VALUE VOLUME GROWTH NOMINAL VALUE GROWTH Source: Nielsen European Growth Reporter Q IRELAND CONSUMER CONFIDENCE

7 UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THE FUTURE... No change in sentiment for Ireland in Q as confidence levels stayed at 65 (+0 on last quarter and +1 on Q1 2012). From a high of 118 pre-recession, the index level has remained between 60 and 68 since mid 2009 (lowest dip seen Q at 60). Latest Nielsen online survey results reveal continuing uncertainty about the future state of the Irish economy. 95 percent of Irish respondents still believe their country is in a recession. This stubbornly remains one of the most pessimistic outlooks globally. Out of 58 countries measured by Nielsen, Ireland ranks 4 th lowest on this recession barometer, behind Hungary, Italy and Portugal. Furthermore, concern remains about the immediate economic future, as 78 percent believe we will still be in economic recession in 12 months time (though slightly less pessimistic than previous quarter at 81 percent). Only 10 percent believe we will be out of recession this time next year. IRELAND CONSUMER CONFIDENCE Q IRELAND CONSUMER CONFIDENCE INDEX TREND (VERSUS GLOBAL, GB, FRANCE AND USA) Ireland % pt+/ Pre Recession Recession Ireland now ranks 13th most pessimistic globally in Q Ireland ranked 13th most optimistic globally in Jun- 05 Dec- 05 Jun- 06 Dec- 06 Jun- 07 Dec- 07 Jun- 08 Dec- 08 Jun- 09 Dec- 09 Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q GLOBAL GB IRELAND FRANCE USA Source: Nielsen Global Online Survey - Q Copyright 2013 The Nielsen Company 7

8 CONTINUED CONCERN OVER JOB PROSPECTS When asked what are your biggest / second biggest concerns over the next 12 months, The Economy ranked top this quarter at 18 percent (-2) along with Job Security, Debt and Fear of Rising Bills at 14 percent each (-1,+0 and +1 respectively). Fear of Rising Bills still topped Second Biggest Concern. Not surprising as households continue to get hit with bills. Unemployment is still hovering around the 14% mark according to the latest CSO figures for Ireland, and the latest Nielsen online survey reflects a decline in respondents feeling positive about their job prospects, decreasing to 14 percent (-4), versus 23 percent for European average. When asked around general business conditions and availability of jobs however, both show a slight improvement, with 44 percent rating business conditions as good or normal (compared to 40 percent in Q4 2012), plus those rating availability of jobs in my area as hard to get, decreased to 61 percent (from 65 percent last quarter). While an upward trend, just to note these indicators are still behind Global and European averages. IRELAND WHAT WE FEEL ABOUT JOB PROSPECTS WITH HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT STILL REIGNING ACCORDING TO MARCH CSO FIGURES, ONLY 14% ANTICIPATE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES WILL BE GOOD OR EXCELLENT IN THE COMING YEAR (-4% ON Q AND +0% VERSUS Q1 2012). Q - DO YOU THINK JOB PROSPECTS IN YOUR COUNTRY OVER THE NEXT 12 MONTHS WILL BE... Q % 49% 47% GLOBAL 4% EUROPE 4% 23% 83% IRELAND 3% 14% 70% 8% 22% GB Bad / Not so Good Don t Know Good / Excellent Source: Nielsen Global Online Survey Q IRELAND CONSUMER CONFIDENCE

9 ALMOST TWO THIRDS SAY THEY ONLY HAD ENOUGH MONEY FOR SHELTER, FOOD AND BASICS LAST 12 MONTHS The latest round of survey results reveal Irish consumers are still in a difficult place financially. When asked what statement best reflects your view on your spending, 61 percent of Irish online respondents chose the option in the past year I ve only had enough money for shelter, food and basics (versus 49 percent for GB, and 52 percent European average). Only ten percent said they were able to spend freely. IN THE PAST YEAR I VE ONLY HAD ENOUGH MONEY FOR SHELTER, FOOD AND BASICS. A FEELING SHARED BY 61% OF IRISH CONSUMERS (VERSUS 44% GLOBAL,52% EU AND 49% GB) Source: Nielsen Global Omnibus Consumer Survey, Middle Class Consumer, Q Copyright 2013 The Nielsen Company 9

10 NERVOUSNESS REMAINS ABOUT THE IMPACT ON THE HOUSEHOLD BUDGET Pressure on household finances was also reflected by the steady high number of Irish respondents continuing to change their spending habits during the year to save on household expenses. This remains one of the highest scores globally at 85 percent (+1) in Q1 (+23 points versus 62 percent European average), with Ireland only behind Greece, Thailand, Vietnam and Spain out of the 58 countries measured in the Nielsen online survey. Irish consumers have learnt sharp lessons throughout the prolonged recession, which they are very likely to hold onto. The impact of various budget measures to take effect in 2013 and the Christmas credit card bills could also further be affecting this outlook. WHILE A SLIGHTLY MORE POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON PERSONAL FINANCES, IT HAS YET TO TRANSLATE INTO SPENDING One encouraging factor this quarter was a rise in number indicating their personal finances are in a good place. 30 percent of respondents said their personal finances were good/excellent (up 3 points from Q4). However only 26 percent said now was a good time to buy things wanted and needed over the next 12 months (no change), indicating consumers are still not ready to spend. 10 IRELAND CONSUMER CONFIDENCE

11 PERSONAL FINANCES AND READINESS TO SPEND SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT ON THE KEY PERSONAL FINANCE INDICATOR AS 30% SAY THEIR FINANCES ARE IN A GOOD PLACE (+3PTS ON Q4). HOWEVER STILL ONLY A QUARTER OF IRISH RESPONDENTS SAY THEY FEEL IT IS A GOOD TIME TO BUY (+0PTS ON Q4). STATE OF PERSONAL FINANCES / READINESS TO SPEND? Q IRELAND PERSONAL FINANCES ARE GOOD / EXCELLENT GLOBAL EUROPE IRELAND 54% 35% 30% (+3) IT IS A GOOD TIME TO BUY THINGS I WANT OR NEED GLOBAL EUROPE IRELAND 38% 30% 26% (+0) Source: Nielsen Global Online Survey Q THOSE SAYING THEY HAVE NO SPARE CASH INCREASES AND WE MINDING OUR NEST EGGS Almost three in ten Irish online respondents reported having no spare cash once they ve covered essential living expenses this quarter (28 percent), an increase of +1 points on Q On the same indicator, the number of Britons reporting no spare cash available increased significantly from 22 percent to 29 percent; comparing to 24 percent in France and just 18 percent in Germany. Copyright 2013 The Nielsen Company 11

12 Among those Irish respondents with spare cash, there was an increase in number saying they are putting their spare cash into savings, 33 percent (+3), back to Q levels. 27 percent also indicated any spare cash will go paying off debts/credit cards & loans (though decreased -4), while 6 percent say they are putting it in a retirement fund. Irish consumers are consciously minding their future and putting away for their nest egg, likely a hard learning from the tough experience of the recession and the fear of further impact on spending power. This was also reflected in the question If your monthly budget increased by 10%, how would you allocate your new budget of 110% - almost one quarter of the extra 10% budget was allocated to savings/investments, with 14 percent to travel/vacation and 13 percent to food/drink at home. IRELAND DELEVERAGING, SAVING, SPARE CASH Q - ONCE YOU HAVE COVERED YOUR ESSENTIAL LIVING EXPENSES, WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS BEST DESCRIBES WHAT YOU DO WITH YOUR SPARE CASH...? - IRELAND FROM % 6 2 Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q H H H H H H 2007 PAYING OFF DEBTS/CREDIT CARDS/LOANS I HAVE NO SPARE CASH INVEST IN STOCKS/BONDS PUTTING INTO SAVINGS RETIREMENT FUND Source: Nielsen Global Online Survey Ireland Results Q IRELAND CONSUMER CONFIDENCE

13 TIGHT GRIP ON DISCRETIONARY RELAXES SLIGHTLY THIS QUARTER While we are still nervous about the state of our spending power and saving more, the grip on discretionary spend does seem to have slightly relaxed this quarter versus previous, with some indicators up on Q percent plan to spend any spare cash on holidays (+5 points), 21 percent on new clothes (+4 points) and 18 percent on outof-home entertainment (+3 points). WHERE DO WE SPEND OUR SPARE CASH? SAVING TOP PLACE FOR ANY SPARE CASH, THOUGH ON A POSITIVE NOTE, SOME SIGNS OF CAUTIOUSLY OPENING OUT WALLETS AGAIN SPENDING INTENTIONS ON HOLIDAYS, NEW CLOTHES, OOH ENTERTAINMENT ALL UP MARGINALLY ON LAST QUARTER.. Q - ONCE YOU HAVE COVERED YOUR ESSENTIAL LIVING EXPENSES, WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS BEST DESCRIBES WHAT YOU DO WITH YOUR SPARE CASH...? Q IRELAND (% CHG IS VERSUS Q4 2012) +3% +1% -4% +5% +4% +3% -1% % PUTTING INTO SAVINGS 28% 27% I HAVE NO SPARE CASH PAYING OFF DEBTS/CREDIT CARDS/LOANS 23% HOLIDAYS / VACATIONS 21% NEW CLOTHES 18% OUT-OF-HOME ENTERTAINMENT HOME IMPROVEMENTS/ DECORATING 15% NEW TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS 10% RETIREMENT FUND 6% INVESTING IN SHARES OF STOCK/MUTUAL FUNDS NOT SURE 2% 2% Q Source: Nielsen Global Online Survey Ireland Results Q Copyright 2013 The Nielsen Company 13

14 SLIGHT RELAXATION ON SOME COST- CUTTING MEASURES, INCLUDING SWITCHING TO CHEAPER GROCERY BILLS We still have some of the strongest household saving strategies in Europe, however there appears to be a slight easing on cost-cutting in Q Among the most three popular methods of cost cutting; switching to cheaper grocery bills saw quite a significant decrease from 72 percent to 66 percent (-6), while trying to save on gas and electricity fractionally decreased (-2), and spending less on new clothes stayed same (+0). Saving on bills and switching to cheaper grocery brands are cost-cutting measures likely to stay with the Irish consumer as Ireland remains one of the top countries globally saying they will continue the strategies post-recession (56 percent and 41 percent respectively). Across the other strategies in the next chart, the majority decreased in Q on previous quarter, including using my car less often (-6), cutting down on telephone expenses (-4) and cutting down on at-home entertaining (-4). Only delaying replacing household items increased (+4). Among the most three popular methods of cost cutting; switching to cheaper grocery bills saw quite a significant decrease from 72 percent to 66 percent (-6). This compares to 58 percent of Britons, 54 percent in France and 66 percent in Germany. 14 IRELAND CONSUMER CONFIDENCE

15 HOUSEHOLD SAVING STRATEGIES WHILE IRISH RESULTS ARE STILL HIGH COMPARED TO GLOBAL AVERAGES ON THESE FIGURES, A SLIGHT RELAXING IS SEEN ON SAVING STRATEGIES ACROSS THE BOARD THIS QUARTER, ESPECIALLY IN GROCERY SHOPPING, USING THE CAR AND AT-HOME ENTERTAINING Q. COMPARED TO THIS TIME LAST YEAR, WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS HAVE YOU TAKEN IN ORDER TO SAVE ON HOUSEHOLD EXPENSES? Q IRELAND (% CHG IS VERSUS Q4 2012) DOMESTIC Switch to Cheaper Grocery Brands 66% (-6%) Save on Gas & Electricity 65% (-2%) Cut down on Telephone Expenses 46% (-4%) Delay Upgrading PC or Mobile 44% (-0%) Delay Replacing HHLD items 41% (+4%) Look for Better Deals on loans etc 38% (-4%) LIFESTYLE Spend Less on New Clothes 66% (-0%) Cut down OOH Entertainment 59% (-0%) Cut down on Take-Aways 58% (-1%) Cut down on Holidays/Breaks 47% (-1%) Use my Car less often 36% (-6%) Cut Down /buy Cheaper Brands of Alcohol 33% (-1%) Cut down on At-Home Entertaining 26% (-4%) Source: Nielsen Global Online Survey Ireland Results Q Copyright 2013 The Nielsen Company 15

16 FURTHER RELAXATION ON COST CUTTING REFLECTED IN POST- RECESSION OUTLOOK In terms of post-recession and continuing these saving strategies, respondents indicated this quarter that saving on bills will still be important (+3), however there were marginal decreases in several discretionary areas in line with previous question, such spending less on new clothes (-4), using my car less often (-7), out of home entertainment (-4), cutting down on take-aways (-2) and cutting down on annual vacation (-3) post-recession. POST RECESSION? SAVING ON BILLS TO STILL RANK HIGH AS A SAVING STRATEGY POST RECESSION, HOWEVER AN EASING UP IS SEEN ON CUTTING BACK ON DISCRETIONARY ITEMS ONCE THINGS GET BETTER. Q WHEN ECONOMIC CONDITIONS DO IMPROVE, WHICH OF THESE SAVINGS DO YOU EXPECT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO DO? Q IRELAND (% CHG IS VERSUS Q4 2012) 56% +3% 25% -4% 16% +1% TRY TO SAVE ON GAS AND ELECTRICITY SPEND LESS ON NEW CLOTHES DELAY UPGRADING TECHNOLOGY, EG. PC, MOBILE ETC 41% -1% 21% -7% 15% +1% SWITCH TO CHEAPER GROCERY BRANDS 38% -2% USE MY CAR LESS OFTEN 21% -4% CUT DOWN ON HOLIDAYS/ SHORT BREAKS 13% +3% CUT DOWN ON TAKE- AWAY MEALS 29% +1% CUT DOWN ON OUT-OF- HOME ENTERTAINMENT 20% +2% DELAY THE REPLACEMENT OF MAJOR HOUSEHOLD ITEMS 10% -3% CUT DOWN ON TELEPHONE EXPENSES 29% -6% CUT DOWN ON OR BUY CHEAPER BRANDS OF ALCOHOL 16% -2% CUT DOWN ON AT- HOME ENTERTAINMENT 9% -3% LOOK FOR BETTER DEALS ON HOME LOANS, INSURANCE, CREDIT CARDS ETC CUT DOWN ON SMOKING CUT OUT ANNUAL VACATION 7% - Q NONE / OTHER Source: Nielsen Global Online Survey Ireland Results Q IRELAND CONSUMER CONFIDENCE

17 OUTLOOK AHEAD? Ireland s consumer confidence index remains low and steady this quarter, with a mixed bag of some encouraging indicators offsetting some negative ones, reflecting an Irish consumer with a broadly cautious view intact. The steady trend could be said to be resilient in the face of a new property tax, personal insolvency legislation news, high unemployment, public sector cutbacks and continued EU debt troubles. However, the deal on the promissory notes may have had some positive impact, plus the latest IBEC Consumer Monitor report in February** reported a few encouraging signs coming through for the domestic economy. There was an increase in jobs in 2012 for the private sector, plus a tentative bottoming-out of house prices is reported, meaning that household net wealth is no longer falling. Debt levels are also easing (albeit from very high levels for a lot of households). However, it seems that consumers are not yet convinced all will translate into improved spending power and better living standards in the year ahead. Nervousness about household finances and spending power thus prevails. While the latest Nielsen survey revealed a slightly better outlook around personal finances, and consumers seem a bit less cautious about spending as cost-cutting activity declined since last quarter, those with no spare cash increased slightly, as did putting any spare cash into savings. Evidence that spending has not yet resumed was also reflected in the latest March CSO figures*. Consumer prices increased in March by +0.5% year-on-year, and retail sales value fell by -1.7% year-on-year (volume -1.6%), bringing to an end a pattern of modest recovery recorded in previous months. Hardware, clothing and book sales, supermarkets, pharmacies and petrol retailers all saw a drop in sales. Although to note, it was an extremely cold March, and many consumers may have avoided the shops rather than face the freezing weather! A TENTATIVE START TO THE YEAR, WITH A CLEAR PRONOUNCED FEEL GOOD FACTOR YET TO DEVELOP... HOWEVER IF FUNDAMENTALS FOR THE DOMESTIC ECONOMY CONTINUE TO IMPROVE AND UNEMPLOYMENT COMES DOWN, IRISH CONSUMERS MAY FEEL IN A MORE POSITIVE PLACE TO SPEND. Q2 RESULTS WILL LIKELY BE VERY INTERESTING TO SEE WHERE CONSUMERS ARE AT IN TERMS OF SENTIMENT FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR AHEAD. KAREN MOONEY, NIELSEN Any queries on this report, please contact Karen Mooney at Nielsen karen.mooney@nielsen.com * **IBEC Consumer Monitor Report February Nielsen European Growth Reporter 2013 Copyright 2013 The Nielsen Company 17

18 ABOUT THE NIELSEN GLOBAL SURVEY The Nielsen Global Survey of Consumer Confidence and Spending Intentions was conducted between February 18 March 8, 2013 and polled more than 29,000 online consumers in 58 countries throughout Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and North America. The sample has quotas based on age and sex for each country based on their Internet users, and is weighted to be representative of Internet consumers and has a maximum margin of error of ±0.6%. This Nielsen survey is based on the behaviour of respondents with online access only. Internet penetration rates vary by country. Nielsen uses a minimum reporting standard of 60 percent Internet penetration or 10M online population for survey inclusion. The China Consumer Confidence Index is compiled from a separate mixed methodology survey among 3,500 respondents in China. The Nielsen Global Survey, which includes the Global Consumer Confidence Index, was established in ABOUT THE NIELSEN EUROPEAN GROWTH REPORTER Compares overall market dynamics (value and unit growth) in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods sector across Europe. Is based on the sales tracking Nielsen performs in every European market. Covers sales in grocery, hypermarket, supermarket, discount and convenience channels is based on the widest possible basket of product categories that are continuously tracked by Nielsen in each of these countries and channels Q Reports on the 1st quarter of Week 1, Week 13, 2013 ABOUT NIELSEN Nielsen Holdings N.V. (NYSE: NLSN) is a global information and measurement company with leading market positions in marketing and consumer information, television and other media measurement, online intelligence, mobile measurement, trade shows and related properties. Nielsen has a presence in approximately 100 countries, with headquarters in New York, USA and Diemen, the Netherlands. For more information, visit Copyright 2013 The Nielsen Company. All rights reserved. Nielsen and the Nielsen logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of CZT/ACN Trademarks, L.L.C. Other product and service names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. 13/6434

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