Sales of chocolate and running shoes are up. Wine drinkers haven'tstopped sipping; they just seem to be choosing cheaper vintages.
Strong sales of Spam, Dinty Moore stew and chili helped Hormel FoodsCorp. post a 6 percent increase in first quarter sales in its groceryproducts unit.
Consumers have trimmed household budgets and postponed buying cars,major appliances and other big-ticket items. Yet they still are willingto shell out for small indulgences and goods that make life morecomfortable at home, where they are spending more time.
Recession shoppers also are drawn to items that make them feel safe, both personally and financially.
"The focus on the family hearth is something that has happened innearly every recession. It's, `How can I have more fun at home?'" saidPaco Underhill, whose company, Envirosell, monitors the behavior ofshoppers and sellers across the U.S. and in other countries.
"People are much more focused on their homes andtheir immediate happiness and they're buying things that they can usethemselves _ seeds, fishing equipment. Lipstick and chocolate are smallrewards that make you feel better."
Profits in the first three months of 2009 at Hershey Co., thenation's second-largest candy maker, surged 20 percent and beat WallStreet's expectations. Kraft Foods Inc. reported double-digit growth inmacaroni and cheese dinners _ the consummate comfort food.
But economic woes are as rough on the tummy as they are on thewallet. Chicago-based market researcher Information Resources Inc.reports that sales of laxative liquids and powders rose 11.5 percentfor the 52 weeks ending April 19. Sales of stomach remedy tablets,including Pepto-Bismol and Phillips brands, climbed 8 percent.
As expected during any economic slump, recession shoppers lookingfor deals have boosted sales at discount chains such as Wal-Mart StoresInc. Dollar Tree Inc. sneaked into this year's Fortune 500 for thefirst time, at No. 499.
The rest of this article which appeared in the Washington Post is available here
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Chocolate is being featured all over the news and TV, including the CBS Early show with a healthy chocolate tasting
