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Off-trade value sales of health and wellness beverages grew in 2013, despite the economic downturn. However, growth was slower than in 2012. The downturn in the Finnish economy forced consumers to limit their spending as health and wellness products tend to carry higher prices than standard beverages. Also, VAT (value-added tax) on groceries was increased by one percentage point to 14% in January 2013. Thus unit prices came under pressure as consumers were looking for the best deals. The...

News: The Indian Ministry of Shipping has been urged by the Chennai Port Trust (ChPT) to merge the Kamarajar Port with ChPT or bring it under ChPT's control. The merging is attributed to loss of cargo to the Kamarajar port and evading unhealthy competition between the two ports. In addition to this, the trust has also requested the ministry to sustain a business incentive for the diversion of cargo after Kamarajar Port failed to absorb additional labour as per Madras High Court's ruling. The request was made as ChPT is estimated to post losses worth INR1.96bn (US$316mn) in FY13/14, compared with an earlier revised estimate of about INR1.2bn (US$193mn). ChPT is also expected to register a fall in the targeted throughput from the estimated 54mn tonnes (mt) to 51mt, leading to an INR310mn (US$4.99mn) decline in operating income in the reported period (the Hindu Business Line).

MarketLine's Company Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Partnerships & Alliances and Investments reports offer a comprehensive breakdown of the organic and inorganic growth activity undertaken by an organization to sustain its competitive advantage.

Global Markets Direct's, 'Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. - Product Pipeline Review - 2014', provides an overview of the Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.'s pharmaceutical research and development focus.

The global biopower market recorded a total installed capacity of 84,256 MW by the year end 2013. The key countries which include, the US, Brazil, Germany, China and India occupied more than half of the (around 55%) of the global biopower market in the year 2013. The biopower market is expected to witness a decline in annual capacity for the year 2014. This can be majorly attributed to the supply chain bottlenecks prevailing in the biopower industry coupled with some radical changes in the policy framework of a few of the biopower markets.

GlobalData's clinical trial report, "Degenerative Spondylolisthesis Global Clinical Trials Review, H1, 2014" provides data on the Degenerative Spondylolisthesis clinical trial scenario. This report provides elemental information and data relating to the clinical trials on Degenerative Spondylolisthesis. It includes an overview of the trial numbers and their recruitment status as per the site of trial conduction across the globe. The databook offers a preliminary coverage of disease clinical trials by their phase, trial status, prominence of the sponsors and also provides briefing pertaining to the number of trials for the key drugs for treating Degenerative Spondylolisthesis. This report is built using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research and in-house analysis by GlobalData's team of industry experts.

The commencement of operations at JG Summit's cracker project in Q214 will integrate downstream polymers production with a domestic feedstock source, enabling the Philippines' petrochemicals industry to become more competitive, according to BMI 's latest Philippines Petrochemicals Report.

Domestic demand for apparel remains weak and is decreasing. The negative trend was driven by reduced household purchasing power leading to lowered Italian household consumption. The unemployment rate increased to 12% in general and 35% among young people in 2013, which demonstrates the difficulties faced by the Italian economy. This is due to a lower confidence index, higher tax level (officially up to 46.5%), a VAT increase from 20% to 22% and lower bank credit level.

STB are devices that are connected to a TV at the user's premises. These devices enable the user to receive unencrypted subscribed channels through an addressable system for viewing encrypted channels. They connect a TV to an external signal source and transform the transmitted signal into video content, which is then displayed on the screen. A smart STB is the one which brings internet to TV. It helps in connecting to internet and streaming online content. They have some or all the following features; streaming media from other connected devices to TV, the capability of recording the content from TV, Pause, Rewind, and Fast-forward Live TV WIFI function, support for multi-screen interaction and the use of embedded cable modem broadband coverage. Many of these devices come in a portable dongle format. The latest one is the Google's Chromecast.

GlobalData's new report, "Australia Laryngoscopes Market Outlook to 2020", provides key market data on the Australia Laryngoscopes market. The report provides value, in millions of US dollars, volume (in units) and average prices (in US dollars) within market segments - Video Laryngoscopes (Flexible Video Laryngoscopes and Portable Video Laryngoscopes) and Non-Video Laryngoscopes (Rigid Non-Video Laryngoscopes and Flexible Non-Video (Fibre) Laryngoscopes).

The Future of the Savory & Deli Foods Market in Turkey to 2018 is the result of Canadean's extensive market research. The report presents detailed analysis on the Savory & Deli Foods consumption trends in Turkey, historic and forecast Savory & Deli Foods consumption volumes and values at market and category level, brand share and distribution channel data. This report brings together Canadean Intelligence's research, modeling and analysis expertise in order to develop uniquely detailed market data. This allows domestic and foreign companies to identify the market dynamics to account for Savory & Deli Foods sales overall and to know which categories and segments are showing growth in the coming years.

The Spanish petrochemicals industry is witnessing strengthening growth following a period of a sharp and prolonged downturn. Strong export growth will be key to the revival of the sector, but the industry will not get back to previous levels of production due to permanent plant closures in recent years, according to BMI's latest Spain Petrochemicals Report.

Automotive coatings are products that enhance the appearance and durability of a vehicle by protecting it from harsh external factors such as UV radiation, extreme temperatures, and foreign particles such as stones and other debris. Automotive refinish coatings are used by the Automotive Aftermarket for vehicle repair and refinishing. The major end-users of automotive refinish coatings are collision repair centers and automotive body shops.

This report provides a detailed analysis of the current industry size and growth expectations during 2014-19, including highlights of the key growth stimulators. It also benchmarks the industry against key global markets and provides detailed understanding of emerging opportunities in specific areas.

GlobalData's clinical trial report, "Batten Disease Global Clinical Trials Review, H1, 2014" provides data on the Batten Disease clinical trial scenario. This report provides elemental information and data relating to the clinical trials on Batten Disease. It includes an overview of the trial numbers and their recruitment status as per the site of trial conduction across the globe. The databook offers a preliminary coverage of disease clinical trials by their phase, trial status, prominence of the sponsors and also provides briefing pertaining to the number of trials for the key drugs for treating Batten Disease. This report is built using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research and in-house analysis by GlobalData's team of industry experts.

The economic slowdown in Greece is having an effect on retailing sales as consumers reduce spending, yet this is offset by more shoppers using the Internet to find products at lower prices. Rising broadband penetration and a further reduction in Internet access billing continued to drive the positive demand of Internet retailing towards the end of the review period, despite the considerable drop of overall consumer consumption and confidence. Growth was sustained, however, as consumers came to the channel in order to enjoy the larger selection of products on offer, as well as greater discounts and promotions. As the popularity of this channel has increased, competition has intensified, with new retailers moving into the space and established ones coming to offer a wider range of products than is possible in bricks and mortar outlets.

Global Markets Direct's, 'USV Limited - Product Pipeline Review - 2014', provides an overview of the USV Limited's pharmaceutical research and development focus.

This report provides in-depth information on the dynamics of Poland defense procurement and trend analysis of imports and exports. The figures are based on trend indicator values (TIV) expressed in US$ million at constant (1990) prices. Although figures are expressed in US$, TIVs do not represent the financial value of goods transferred. Rather, TIVs are an indication of the volume of arms transferred.

In 2012 this category continued to see good growth, benefiting from interest from the more educated and high-income consumer segments. Herbal/traditional products are gaining a positive reputation among this segment, where it was formerly believed that such products were for low-income earners. This was made possible due to innovative packaging and aggressive marketing strategies.

The best performing product in 2012, deodorant sticks, continues to benefit from the launch of the Clinical Protection range by Unilever Australia's Dove and Rexona brands. The range carries universal appeal, being rolled out across the brand's men's and women's ranges and offers performance based protection against wetness as well as odour control and skin moisturisation. Deodorant sticks saw current value 48% value growth in 2012.

Global Markets Direct's, 'Dongkook Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. - Product Pipeline Review - 2014', provides an overview of the Dongkook Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.'s pharmaceutical research and development focus.

The Israeli financial cards industry continues to grow due to improved ease of use, the large variety of cards on offer and the benefits offered by issuers. In addition, declining purchasing power is driving the use of financial cards which allow consumers to spread and delay payments when they do not have the entire sum required available or whenever they prefer not to pay the full amount in advance. The growth being recorded in the category is also the result of the rising use of financial...

Declining purchasing power resulted in a 2% drop in volume sales within air care in 2013. However, due to strong inflation, current retail value sales increased by 27%. In addition, restrictions on imports resulted in the non-availability of products during some months.

The unemployment rate in Chile has been decreasing every year since 2009, reaching 6% in 2013. Besides, in 2010, 2011 and 2012, real GDP growth was around 6%, while in 2013 it was only 4%. A low unemployment rate and GDP growth increased salaries, and this translated into higher disposable incomes for families. At the same time, imports from Asia continued to drive prices down. As a result, apparel and footwear sales grew by 8% in current terms in 2013. Some work-related categories registered...

GlobalData's clinical trial report, "Drug Addiction Global Clinical Trials Review, H1, 2014" provides data on the Drug Addiction clinical trial scenario. This report provides elemental information and data relating to the clinical trials on Drug Addiction. It includes an overview of the trial numbers and their recruitment status as per the site of trial conduction across the globe. The databook offers a preliminary coverage of disease clinical trials by their phase, trial status, prominence of the sponsors and also provides briefing pertaining to the number of trials for the key drugs for treating Drug Addiction. This report is built using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research and in-house analysis by GlobalData's team of industry experts.