National Retain Lead In Latest Poll

1. NATIONAL (45.5%) MAINTAIN STRONG LEAD OVER LABOUR (31%)

2. ECONOMIC ISSUES ARE STILLTHE MOST IMPORTANT PROBLEMS FACING NEW ZEALAND (51%) AND FACING THE WORLD (51%) ACCORDING TO NEW ZEALANDERS

3. Paper Plus tops Book Store customer satisfaction for the first time in the last 5 years

4. Australia - State of the Nation 10: Café visits favoured over drinks at the pub

NATIONAL (45.5%) MAINTAIN STRONG LEAD OVER LABOUR (31%)

Today’s New Zealand Roy Morgan Poll shows continuing strong support for Prime Minister John Key’s National Party 45.5% (down 0.5% since January 16-29, 2012). Support for Key’s Coalition partners has changed little with the Maori Party 1.5% (down 0.5%), ACT NZ 1% (up 0.5%), and United Future 0.5% (unchanged).

Support for Labour Party has increased 0.5% to 31%, Greens 11.5% (down 1.5%), New Zealand First 6% (up 0.5%), Mana Party 1% (up 05%) and Others 2% (up 0.5%).

However, the latest New Zealand Roy Morgan Government Confidence Rating is down 6 points to 127 — with 57% (down 4%) of New Zealanders saying New Zealand is ‘heading in the right direction’ compared to 30% (up 2%) that say New Zealand is ‘heading in the wrong direction.’

Gary Morgan says:

“Today’s New Zealand Roy Morgan Poll shows Prime Minister John Key’s National Party (45.5%, down 0.5%) with a strong lead over the main Opposition Labour Party (31%, up 0.5%). While the Greens (11.5%, down 1.5%) have dipped to their lowest level of support since the New Zealand Election, New Zealand First (6%, up 05%) has increased to its highest level of support since last year’s Election.

“Overall support for the full National-led Government has dipped to 48.5% (down 0.5%), trailing the Opposition Parties (51.5%, up 0.5%). Worryingly for Key, this is the lowest level of support his broad-based Coalition has received since being elected to Government in November 2008”

Full Tables & Details: http://www.roymorgan.com/news/polls/2012/4747

ECONOMIC ISSUES ARE STILL THE MOST IMPORTANT PROBLEMS FACING NEW ZEALAND (51%)
AND FACING THE WORLD (51%) ACCORDING TO NEW ZEALANDERS

Economic issues are today clearly the most important concerns facing New Zealand and the World according to the latest Roy Morgan Research conducted in January 2012.

New Zealand views on Problems facing New Zealand

When asked about the most important problem facing New Zealand, Economic issues are mentioned by 51% (up 2% since October 2011) well ahead of Social issues (21%, up 3%) and Environmental issues (11%, down 8%).

The most important Economic issues facing New Zealand include the Economy/ Financial crisis/ Recession/ Inflation/ Exchange rate/ High dollar (18%, down 5%), Unemployment/ Job security (12%, up 3%) and Cost of living/ Increasing prices/ Financial hardship/ Household debt (9%, up 2%).

New Zealand views on Problems facing the World

The biggest World problems are Economic issues (51%, up 2% since October 2011), far in front of Environmental issues (16%, up 3%), Social issues (9%, down 5%), and Terrorism/ Wars/ Security issues (9%, up 1%).

The most important Economic issues facing the World mentioned by New Zealanders are the Economy/ Financial Crisis/ Recession (29%, down 2%) and Poverty/ The gap between rich & poor/ Imbalance of wealth (11%, up 2%).

Michele Levine says:

“This latest New Zealand Roy Morgan Issues Research shows that the Economy continues to dominate concerns facing both New Zealand (51%, up 2%) and the World (51%, up 2%).

“The dominant Economic issues facing New Zealand are the Economy/ Financial crisis/ Recession/ Inflation/ Exchange rate/ High dollar (18%, down 5%), Unemployment/ Job security (12%, up 3%) and Cost of living/ Increasing Prices/ Financial hardship/ Household debt (9%, up 2%).

“Other important issues facing New Zealand include Crime/ Law & Order (5%, up 3%), Child Abuse/ Lack of Care of Children/ Bringing up Children Wrongly (5%, up 4%), (Other) Natural Disasters/ Earthquakes/ Tsunamis/ Floods/ Volcanic Eruptions (4%, down 1%) and Government/ Politicians/ Leadership/ Government Spending (4%, up 1%).

“When asked about World issues, the most important Economic issues are the Economy/ Financial crisis/ Recession (29%, down 2%) and Poverty/ The gap between rich & poor/ Imbalance of wealth (11%, up 2%). The next most important issues facing the World are Wars & Conflicts/ Unrest (6%, up 2%) and Climate Change/ Global Warming/ Ozone Layer/ Greenhouse Effect (5%, up 1%).”

Full Tables & Details: http://www.roymorgan.com/news/polls/2012/4743

Paper Plus tops Book Store customer satisfaction for the first time in the last 5 years

According to the latest Roy Morgan October 2011 data, Paper Plus have the highest proportion of satisfied* customers of book stores in New Zealand.

For the 12 months to October 2011, 89% of customers that made a purchase from Paper Plus in the last 4 weeks said they were satisfied with Paper Plus, ahead of Take Note (88%) and Whitcoulls (86%).

However, the 12 months to October 2010, Whitcoulls had the highest proportion of customer satisfaction on 88%, followed by Paper Plus (87%) and then Take Note (83%).

Bookstore Satisfaction — Top 5

Pip Elliott, Client Services Director, Roy Morgan Research, says:

“For the first time in the last five years Paper Plus has taken the top spot for Book Store customer satisfaction from a battle that has previously been constantly fought between Whitcoulls and Borders. In 2010 Whitcoulls had the highest portion of satisfied customers with 88%, in 2009 Borders with 89%, in 2008 Whitcoulls again, and 2007 back to Borders. However, Whitcoulls and Borders were merged into the same entity in 2011. Since then, Borders stores have been rebranded as Whitcoulls and no longer operate independently.

“The biggest improver over the last 12 months was Dymocks, customer satisfaction went up by 14% points from the previous year and is now at 83%. Satisfaction levels for Whitcoulls have declined over the last 12 months as the bankruptcy of parent company RED Group raised questions about whether Whitcoulls would honour their already paid for gift vouchers. This issue was resolved in May when new owners, the Norman family, promised to honour all existing Whitcoulls gift vouchers. Over the last 12 months following the parent company’s bankruptcy Whitcoulls has declined in customer satisfaction from first place to third.

“With Satisfaction being one of the key drivers of future store loyalty, this is a key metric for all book stores to be aware of and to look how this has changed over time for the different book stores.”

Full Details: http://wwwroymorgan.com/news/press-releases/2012/1584

ROY MORGAN ONLINE STORE
For the latest detailed “Roy Morgan New Zealand Retail Store Customer Profiles” – visit the Roy Morgan Online Store.

Australia – State of the Nation 10: Café visits favoured over drinks at the pub

The eating and drinking habits of Australian consumers show a mixed picture. The proportion of Australians who drop by their favoured café for a quick caffeine fix continues to rise, whereas visiting a local pub to enjoy a drink is becoming less popular over time.

The new Roy Morgan State of the Nation Report illustrates the changing trends of Australian hospitality consumers. A total of 55% of Australians (14+) went to a café for coffee or tea in the previous three month period, up from 48.4% in March 2003. Other increasing activities are visiting a licensed restaurant (52.7%, up from 49.9% in 2003) and going to a pub or hotel for a meal (41.2%, up from 37.4% in 2003).

Increasing Eating and Drinking Trends of Australians

Norman Morris, Industry Communications Director, Roy Morgan Research, says:

“The biggest proportional changes were seen in those visiting a café for a coffee or tea, which rose 6.6 percentage points in just under nine years, and visiting a pub or hotel for a drink which has dropped 5.3 percentage points over the same period.

“Fast food and takeaway have experienced a drop off since 2003, however these have been very slight and recent trends suggest these activities are now holding steady. With the ease, taste and convenience of fast food and takeaway, they will always likely hold a significant degree of popularity among consumers.”

Full Details: http://www.roymorgan.com/news/press-releases/2012/1583

ROY MORGAN ONLINE STORE
For the latest detailed “Roy Morgan Australian State of the Nation Report 10” – visit the Roy Morgan Online Store.
For the latest detailed “Roy Morgan Coffee Shop Customer Profiles” – visit the Roy Morgan Online Store.
For the latest detailed “Roy Morgan Fast Food Outlet Customer Profiles” – visit the Roy Morgan Online Store.