Recognizing products surveyed by more than 50,000 consumers across the United States, the Product of the Year Award USA winners have been announced, counting among them products from Colgate-Palmolive, SC Johnson, Proctor & Gamble and more.
Product of the Year is a consumer product award program that rewards innovation and is voted on by real consumers. Established 25 years ago in France, the program currently operates in 28 countries with the purpose of guiding consumers to the best products in their market and rewarding manufacturers for quality and innovation. Held for the third time in the U.S., this year saw the following winners:
- Personal Care—Speed Stick and Lady Speed Stick Stainguard Antiperspirant Deodorant, Colgate-Palmolive Company
- Toothpaste—Aquafresh iso-active Whitening, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare
- Mouthwash—Listerine Zero, Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNeil-PPC, Inc.
- Hair Care—Pantene Pro-V Customized Solutions, Procter & Gamble
- Hair Styling—Pantene Pro-V Customized Solutions Stylers & Treatments, Procter & Gamble
- Male Grooming—Gillette Fusion ProGlide Power Razor, Procter & Gamble
- Personal Hygiene—Lysol Healthy Touch No-Touch Hand Soap System, Reckitt Benckiser
- Cosmetics—MD Lash Factor Eyelash Conditioner, La Canada Ventures, Inc.
- At Home Beauty Treatment—no!no! Hair 8800, Radiancy, Inc.
"Consumers are smarter than ever and watching what they spend more intelligently," said Phil Lempert, the Supermarket Guru. "Even though mobile devices and social networks offer just about every product review possible, it is still the "human" social network that is the most powerful. With over 60,000 shoppers voting on the most innovative for a Product of the Year award, there is not a better recommendation."
As part of the nationwide survey with 60,000 shoppers conducted by market research firm TNS, Product of the Year winners receive a research study providing the latest insights into the mind of today's consumer. According to this survey, 80% of consumers are willing to try new products while 68% of shoppers say a consumer voted award means more for a new product than an expert's opinion. Recommendations from friends or family positively impacts purchase interest amongst close to half the population.
"Even though modern-day consumers are tasked with deciding which products to use on a regular basis, shoppers are willing to trust their peers when it comes to trying new products that provide great value," said Herb Sorensen, TNS scientific advisor for global retail and shopper practice. "The Product of the Year seal is a giant recommendation to consumers, by consumers."
