Observations, insights and innovations that connect with the 50+ market.

Restaurants Need To Refocus As Older Customers Become More Important
by Kim Walker 08 March 2010 08:15:23

Supper visits have been cut back by all but the most mature age group according to a recent study of restaurants in the USA. Historically, supper is the meal that leads the restaurant industry out of recessions, but that won't be the case this time, according to a new study by The NPD Group. Supper is the restaurant industry's largest sales generator but has been the weak... more

General Mills Sees the Opportunity In Ageing Boomer Market
by Kim Walker 05 March 2010 14:48:24

Aging boomers, the 1 billion consumers globally who are 55 or older, are focused increasingly on health and wellness concerns" said General Mills Chairman and CEO Ken Powell . The company is emphasizing the health benefits of some of its foods and introducing more health oriented offerings and smaller portion sizes, as part of its strategy. General Mills pursuit of t... more

How Boomers Have Influenced Investments - Barclays Study Reveals
by Kim Walker 04 March 2010 14:49:26

Here's an interesting theory explaining the growth of equities in the past 30 years and why the future doesn't look so good. It's all down to us, the baby boomers. Based on the Barclays Equity Gilts Study, reported here in the Financial Times, which compared cyclical price/earnings ratios on stocks since 1950 with the ratio of 35-54 year-olds in the population. Stock val... more

Silver in iMoney
by Kim Walker 02 March 2010 11:41:03

Here's an interview just published in iMoney. This is quite strong coverage, as iMoney reaches an audience of 80,000 business leaders in Hong Kong with its business, marketing and financial oriented news, and the piece takes a very in-depth look at the implications of the silver market and how brands and companies are missing out on this huge demographic. Publi... more

The 15 Biggest Baby Boomer Brands? Maybe in the USA.
by Kim Walker 02 March 2010 08:29:52

An article from Ad Age listing one mans view of the 15 bigggest brands among baby boomers (in the USA). I've listend them below and highlighted the one's I think might have made it in an Asian context (not many!) Levis Harley Davidson Volkswagen Slinky (walking spring toy) Noxzema (skin cleanser) The Beatles L'Eggs (stockings) Pepsi Absolut Vodka Saturday Nig... more

Philippines To Hold International Summit on Medical Travel, Wellness and Retirement
by Kim Walker 28 February 2010 13:21:59

An International Summit on Medical Travel, Wellness and Retirement ~ IMWell Summit will be held in the Philippines on October 12-15, 2010. Staged in collaboration with India, Thailand, Malaysia, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore, the IMWell Summit is envisioned to be a forum to discuss how they can cooperate to further develop the medical tourism and retirement indus... more

Aussie Study Finds The Secrets to Healthy Ageing
by Kim Walker 25 February 2010 12:11:27

From this small town in Western Australia emerges one of the more comprehensive and fascinating studies of healthy ageing. Reported here in the Financial Times, this study was done on a shoestring up until a couple of years ago, so recent government backing will allow the study to exist properly. Called the Busselton Healthy Ageing Study, it will draw on some of the exi... more

Japanese Baby Boomers Reluctant To Spend After Retirement
by Kim Walker 24 February 2010 16:07:57

Retiring baby boomers appear reluctant to spend on nonessential items, contrary to expectations that they would give Japan's economy a boost. According to an article in Japans' Nikkei newspaper, some firms hoped baby boomers, who began to reach mandatory retirement age in 2007, would spend time enjoying their hobbies and other pursuits, creating demand for products and s... more

AARP Member Survey On eReaders
by Kim Walker 23 February 2010 14:37:51

I caught this in the AARP website recently. A quick search of the site just now didn't reveal the final/latest results but the findings of this were interesting nonetheless. Says it all. ... more

10 Solid Business Opportunities In Ageing Markets
by Kim Walker 17 February 2010 15:21:58

Here are 10 quick business opportunities spotted by SmartCompany in Australia stemming from the Intergeneration Report recently issued by the Government. No big surprises but good logic. Although derived from Australia, the basic contention of the IG report is that people should be encouraged to work longer (to age 65). As this is becoming the norm, these business ideas h... more