just-food has asked its readers for their thoughts on the prospects for their business and the wider industry in 2011.

Readers were polled on a range of issues – including commodity prices, M&A, innovation, sustainability and the emerging markets.

The full results are below.

Question 1: To what extent do you see an improvement in the general economic conditions of the food industry in 2011?
Answer Options Response Percent
Big improvement 5.9%
Some improvement 55.8%
No change 14.9%
Small deterioration 18.9%
Big deterioration 4.6%
Question 2: How confident are you about the the prospects for your business in the next 12 months compared to 2010?
Answer Options Response Percent
Very confident 10.9%
Confident 51.9%
About the same 29.7%
Less confident 7.5%
Question 3: How much impact will the volatility in commodity prices have on your business this year, compared to 2010?
Answer Options Response Percent
Greater impact 56.8%
Less impact 8.8%
About the same 27.5%
Don’t know 6.9%
Question 4: Do you think you will succeed in getting your retail customers to push through price increases?
Answer Options Response Percent
Yes 21.9%
No 19.4%
On some products 45.4%
Don’t know 13.3%
Question 5: Will your spending on developing new products rise this year?
Answer Options Response Percent
Yes 52.8%
No 12.8%
It will stay the same 25.5%
Don’t know 8.8%
Question 6: On which area will you most target your spending on new products?
Answer Options Response Percent Response Count
Health and wellness 47.7% 222
Convenience 29% 135
Indulgence 10.3% 48
Other (please specify) 12.9% 60
Question 7: In the field of health and wellness, how do you see regulatory pressure changing in 2011?
Answer Options Response Percent
More pressure from government 44.6%
Less pressure from government 8.6%
More co-operation between government and industry 34.3%
Don’t know 12.6%
Question 8: Industry consolidation: which actors will most drive M&A in the food industry this year?
Answer Options Response Percent
Trade players 21.4%
Private equity 26%
Trade and private equity about the same 26.8%
Not sure 25.8%
Question 9: How will your spending on sustainability projects fare in 2011?
Answer Options Response Percent
It will grow 43.6%
It will fall 7.4%
It will stay about the same 37.4%
Don’t know 11.6%
Question 10: Which retail format will see the most development in 2011?
Answer Options Response Percent
Online 34.8%
Convenience 25.2%
Traditional supermarkets or hypermarkets 25.4%
General merchandise retailers expanding grocery sections 14.5%
Question 11: Which emerging market will most appeal to your business this year?
Answer Options Response Percent
Brazil 17%
Russia 13.2%
China 44.1%
India 25.8%
Other (please specify)  

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