Product of the Year 2022

2022 PRODUCT OF THE YEAR WINNERS REVEALED, WITH AUSSIES VOTING 'CONVENIENCE IS KING'

Over 5,000 Australian shoppers have had their say and cast votes for their favourite supermarket and everyday products, in the annual Product of the Year Awards (POY) for 2022. The world's largest consumer-based awards program is now in its 13th year in Australia, recognising product innovation, and serving as a shortcut for shoppers, saving them time and money when finding the right products.

With people stuck in their homes more than ever, it seems that as consumers head into 2022 they are giving the nod to brands who put convenience at the forefront, with many of the award-winning products either falling into the ready-made food or comfort product categories. 12 out of 37 winners for this year were easy snacks, ready-to-eat products, or frozen meals. In addition, it's clear that Aussies are also seeking ultimate creature comforts, with 12 out of 37 award-winners being affordable luxury and indulgence items including mattresses, desserts, and skincare products.

With most of the country in various lockdowns for the past several months, it's no wonder that Aussies are looking for easy and convenient products that fit their lifestyles and allow for small indulgences at home. These findings were supported by research conducted by Nielsen for POY, that delved into the current consumer shopping habits. The research found that more than one in three Aussies (381 %) would switch products if it was more convenient for them.

 

Product of the Year Director, Sarah Connelly says, "The ongoing and unexpected restrictions have no doubt made Australian household consumption habits shift considerably. Now we're seeing people having to work from home more, manage more people in their household and even in many instances, home-school children, which is leaving the average Aussie short on time and capacity to prepare lavish meals. Instead, we are seeing the move towards easy, simple and pre-made meals and snacks, that save people time and leaves them with one less thing to worry about in their day-to-day lives.

"In addition, we have unsurprisingly seen a range of wider homewares and lifestyle products make the winner's list for 2022, including two Koala furniture products (a mattress and sofa bed), as well as some more lifestyle products including skin products from The Balnea Body Company."

The Nielsen research uncovered that the desire for convenience is also being demonstrated in the way people shop, with consumers seeking retailers with stronger online-shopping capabilities, and that also provide the best deals and promotions. When it came to rating which retailers provided them the most convenience, a third (33 %) of shoppers voted Woolworths as having the best e-commerce platform, and when it came to affordability, Coles and Woolworths came in neck and neck; combined, holding nearly
two thirds of shoppers votes when it came to the best prices.

 

This year, major grocery retailers took home the top-spots in their categories, with Coles winning a whopping 11 awards across a range of products and brands exclusive to Coles, and Woolworths taking home six awards. It is also always a welcome surprise to see some smaller companies take the spotlight including Lakanto's Monkfruit Sweetener products, and Lyre's Non-Alcoholic G&T.

Shoppers can be confident when buying Product of the Year category winners as they undergo a rigorous testing process. A panel of judges, comprising of various industry experts, first tested the products for quality, credibility, and innovation. The resulting product finalists were then reviewed and voted on by 5,000 Australians. The Nielsen research that determines the winners involves evaluating these consumer responses by using their six key innovation criteria which include:

 

1. Relevance – Is the product fulfilling a need or addressing a problem?
2. Uniqueness – Does is stand out and bring something new to the category?

3. Excitement – How excited are they to use the product? Would they spread the word?
4. Likeability – Does it deliver what you want?
5. Distinctiveness – Does it add something new to its category?
6. Innovation – Is it an innovative product?

KEY RESEARCH FINDINGS FROM NIELSEN:
• Shoppers' likelihood of purchasing a new product with a POY logo is quite high, with nearly one in two Aussies (45%) likely to purchase a product if it has won POY.
• Close to 90% of consumers claimed to have tried a new product in the past 12 months and almost all (95 %) are continuing to purchase those brands.
• Whilst price is the key factor people consider when purchasing products, convenience is quickly climbing up the ranks and is becoming more important to shoppers, with 38% of respondents emphasising its importance in their decision-making process.
• Aussies are also embracing more environmentally friendly products, with one in two (51 %) believing its important that new products they try are sustainable.
• When it comes to major retailers, Woolworths by far has the preferred consumer vote across a range ofcategories, with Aussies giving them the nod for their:
o Cleanliness (40 %)
o High quality/premium brands (39 %)
o Best range of fresh products & organic products (41%)
o Commitment to sustainability (33 %)
o Online shopping experience (33 %)

 

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Company Name	Brand	Product	Category
Church & Dwight	Finishing Touch	Finishing Touch Flawless Dermaplane Glow™	Female Grooming
Coles Express	Coles Express Urban Coffee Culture	Coles Express Urban Coffee Culture Coffee	Coffee (ready to drink)
Coles Express	Coles Express	Coles Express Beef Pie 175g	Hot Food To Go
Coles Supermarkets	NRG	Super Alkaline AAA 24 Pack	Batteries
Coles Supermarkets	Daley St	Dark Ground Coffee 200g	Coffee
Coles Supermarkets	Coles Kitchen	Green Goddess Salad Kit	Fresh Ready to Eat
Coles Supermarkets	Coles PerForm	Open Chicken Fajita 330g Frozen Meal	Frozen Performance Meals
Coles Supermarkets	Coles Ultimate	Coles Ulitmate 40$ Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies	Indulgent Snack (cookies)
Coles Supermarkets	Coles Mad Easy	Slow Cooked Port & Beef Meatballs in tomato sauce 800g	Meat & Kebabs
Coles Supermarkets	Elevate	Adult Dry Cat Food Seafood & Rice with Sweet Potato 800g	Petcare (cat)
Coles Supermarkets	Coles Finest	Angus Beef, Herbs & Spices Sausages 500g	Sausages
Coles Supermarkets	Coles	Australian Streaky Bacon 200g	Smallgoods
Dilmah Australia	Dilmah TEA	Organic Range 20s (8 Variants)	TEA
Edgewell Personal Care	Bulldog Skincare	Original Bamboo Razor	Men's Grooming
General Mills	Old El Paso	Old El Paso Tortilla Pockets™	Bread & Wraps
General Mills	25 Degrees South	25 Degrees South Pasta Range	Premium Pastas Meal
Goodman Filder Pty. Limited	Plantry	Plantry Plant Based Meals	Plant Based / Ready Meal
Koala Sleep Pty Ltd	Koala	The Calm As Mattress	Mattress
Koala Sleep Pty Ltd	Koala	Cushy Sofa Bed	Sofa Bed
Lakanto Australia	Lakanto	Lakanto Maple Flavoured Syrup with Monkfruit Sweetener 375ml	OTW
Lakanto Australia	Lakanto	Lakanto Monkfruit Sweetener Baking Blend 200g	OTW
Metagenics	Inner Health	Eczema Shiled Kids	Children's Probiotic Product
Nando's PERi-PERi Australia	Nando's	Nando's Bag & Bake (range)	Cooking
Real Pet Food Company	Farmers Market	Farmers Market Home-Styled Shreds	Petcare (dog)
Roma Food Products	Spliits	Spliits Veggie Crispbread	Vegan Snack
San Remo	San Remo	Performance Pasta	Rice & Pasta
SC Johnson & Son	Raid	Raid® Earth Options Botanicals Multi Insect Killer	Pest Control
Simplot Australia	Leggo's	Organic SAUCES	Sauces & Mayo
Twisted Healthy Treats	Twisted Healthy Treats	Rich Chocolate Ice Cream Licks	OTW
Woolworths	Little One's	Little One's Size 2 Ultra Dry Nappies Infant 4-8kg Bosy & girls 56 pack	Nappies
Woolworths	Woolworths	Woolworths Quick Pasta Spirals 300g	Heat & Eat Pasta
Woolworths	Plantitude	Plantitude Coconut & Mango Frozen Dessert 1l	Frozen Dessert Vegan
Woolworths	Plantitude	Plantitude Coconut Natural Yoghurt 500g	Health Food
Woolworths	Macro Whole Living	Macro Whole Living Laundry Powder Geranium and Musk 1 KG	Laundry
Woolworths	The Balnea Body Company	Balnea Premium Body Lotion Geranium, Sandalwood & Neroli 500ml	Personal Care
Zero Proof Australia	Non-Acolohic Cocktail	Lyre's G&T	RTD Alcohol Free