Assorted notes about consumer behavior and marketing

• "Since 2012 sales of 'gluten-free' products have risen 63 percent, with 4,599 products introduced last year. For marketers, it's a gold mine. The label can lead to increased sales and premium pricing, says Richard George, a food marketing expert. 'Perception is reality, and if consumers believe gluten-free products are better, then logic no longer matters.' Here, some gluten-free items:
  Potato Chips The No. 1 no-gluten snack. (They're naturally free of gluten.) Sales of products with the label have soared 456 percent since 2012.
  Not Just for People Last year almost twice as many gluten-free pet foods were launched than breakfast cereals.
  Or for Eating Beauty and hair products, and even household cleaners, carry the label.
  
  Source: Mintel Group." (Consumer Reports, January 2016, p40