Summer is here, and for many of us that means it’s time for a vacation! In a recent Instant Poll on our panel member website, we asked if you planned to take a trip this summer, and 33% said yes. Another 26% haven’t decided yet.
My family is preparing for an upcoming trip, and I started making a list of the items we need to pack. It seems like we always forget something important, like a phone charger or swimsuits or a toothbrush! Of course, our packing list varies depending on the type of trip we’re taking, but there are other things we need no matter where we go. Today I’m going to share some essential items you might need for your own trips.
What items do you always take along when you travel?
My family is prepping for a road trip, but regardless of how or where we travel, there are certain things we always pack. For example, personal care items, appropriate clothing for the trip, and tech items such as chargers.
Years ago, after forgetting things like toothpaste, shampoo, and contact lens solution, I decided to keep a small toiletry bag stocked with those items. When I pack for a trip, I can just grab the pre-packed toiletry bag and throw it in my suitcase. It helps cut down on the packing time, and I always know I have those basic items with me.
Previous Post:
NCP Blog: Spotlight on Panel Members in Florida
NCP panel members represent consumers all across the country by sharing their shopping experiences and opinions. If you’re not a panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, click here or go to the Join NCP section of the blog!
Up next in our Spotlight on States series is Florida!
Florida was the 27th state to join the union on March 3, 1845. Tallahassee is the state capital. It’s largest city is Jacksonville. With a total of 65,758 square miles of land and water, it’s the 22nd largest state. Florida is bordered by the states of Georgia and Alabama.
According to the US Census Bureau, the estimated population of Florida is 22,610,726 (July 2023 est.); it ranks as the 3rd most populous state after California and Texas.
Every state has their own unique symbols, from birds to flowers to songs and more! Here are some of Florida’s official state symbols:
Find more information about Florida’s state symbols/facts here.
There are many interesting facts about Florida. Here are just a few from the fact site:
– Central Florida is the lightning capital of the U.S.
– Everglades National Park is the only place in the world where alligators coexist with crocodiles.
– The Walt Disney World Resort employs over 70,000 people. It is estimated that over 50 million people visit Disney World annually!
– Florida has more golf courses than any other state in the country.
Let’s learn about your fellow panel members in Florida! Here’s how our Florida panel members answered some of our state highlight survey questions.
Previous Post: NCP Blog: Summer Scanning and Travel
NCP panel members represent consumers all across the country by sharing their shopping experiences and opinions. If you’re not a panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, click here or go to the Join NCP section of the blog!
Summer begins next week, can you believe it?
We know that the summer season is a busy time for many between taking kids to camp or other summer activities, going to the beach or pool, going on vacation, entertaining and/or attending events, parties, etc. The summer can sometimes feel like it’s just flying by faster than we would like it to.
But, it can also be a time to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Maybe you enjoy taking long walks, gardening, going to farmer’s markets or craft fairs, taking short day trips, attending outdoor concerts, or just relaxing at home in the AC on those very hot and humid days.
What are some of your favorite things to do in the summer months?
Do you shop more, less, or the same during the summer months as you do at other times of the year? I find that my shopping habits change slightly during the summer. I buy more fresh fruits and vegetables (from farmer’s markets) and more food and non-food items for grilling during the summer months. If you have children, maybe you pick up school and/or college supplies throughout the summer.
Previous Post:
NCP Blog: Spotlight on Panel Members in Delaware
NCP panel members represent consumers all across the country by sharing their shopping experiences and opinions. If you’re not a panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, click here or go to the Join NCP section of the blog!
On Dec. 7, 1787, Delaware became the first of the original 13 states to ratify the U.S. Constitution. It’s known as “The First State” because of this. The state’s motto is “Liberty and Independence.” The town of New Castle was originally the colonial capital, and Dover became the state’s capital in 1777.
According to the US Census Bureau, the estimated population of Delaware was 1,031,890 people in 2023. It ranks 49th among states in terms of total land area, and it’s one of the most densely populated states.
Every state has their own unique symbols, from birds to flowers to songs and more! Here are some of Delaware’s official state symbols:
Find more information about Delaware’s state symbols here.
Delaware is under 100 miles long and it just 35 miles wide at its widest point.
Students in Wilmington once set a record for the world’s tallest LEGO tower. It was 113 feet tall and made from more than 500,000 LEGO bricks.
Delaware only has three counties in total, the fewest of any state.
More horseshoe crabs can be found in Delaware than anywhere in the world.
Famous people from Delaware include the actors Ryan Phillippe, Teri Polo, and Aubrey Plaza; President Joe Biden; Nancy J. Currie-Gregg, an American astronaut; and Randy White, an American football Hall of Famer.
Want to learn more about your fellow panel members in another state? Here’s how our Delaware panel members answered some of our survey questions!
Previous Post: NCP In The Know: Pets
NCP panel members represent consumers all across the country by sharing their shopping experiences and opinions. If you’re not a panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, click here or go to the Join NCP section of the blog!
We’re thrilled to unveil the results of our recent pet survey, where you shared your tails of pet preferences, shopping escapades, and more! We hope you enjoy digging into our fur-tastic findings!
Of our survey respondents, 57% of them own a dog or cat.
Here’s a breakdown of those responses.
Dogs:
– 43% have one dog
– 23% have 2-3 dogs
– 3% have four or more dogs
– 31% have no dogs
Cats:
– 25% have one cat
– 22% have 2-3 cats
– 7% have four or more cats
– 46% have no cats
Another question we asked is where do panel members purchase food and supplies for their pets. Here’s what our respondents said:
– Mass Merchandise Store (Target, Wal-Mart, etc)
– Online Store/Website (Amazon.com, Chewy.com)
– Chain Pet Store (PetSmart, PetCo, etc)
– Grocery Store
– Warehouse Club (BJs, Costco, Sam’s, etc)
Along with choosing where to purchase pet food, other factors are important when choosing which food to buy. These are the top five most important factors survey respondents consider when choosing pet food:
– Ingredients
– Price
– Pet’s preference
– Nutritional value
– Dietary or medical needs of pet
If you have pets, how often do you buy their food? The majority of our respondents said they purchase pet food monthly. Here are the survey results:
– 48% buy pet food monthly
– 24% buy pet food 2-3 times per month
– 10% buy pet food weekly
– 2% buy pet food more than once per week
– 16% said they buy at other times
Previous Post:
NCP Blog: Spotlight on Panel Members in Connecticut
NCP panel members represent consumers all across the country by sharing their shopping experiences and opinions. If you’re not a panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, click here or go to the Join NCP section of the blog!
Connecticut was the 5th state to join the union on January 9, 1788. It was one of the original 13 colonies. Hartford is the state capital. With a total of 5,567 square miles of land and water, it is the 3rd smallest state. Connecticut is bordered by the states of Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island.
According to the US Census Bureau, the estimated population of Connecticut is 3,617,176 (July 2023 est.), and it ranks as the 29th most populous state.
Every state has their own unique symbols, from birds to flowers to songs and more! Here are some of Connecticut’s official state symbols:
Find more information about Connecticut’s state symbols/facts here.
There are many interesting facts about Connecticut. Here are just a few from The Fact Site:
– The name Connecticut means “long tidal river”.
– The first form of a written constitution was created in Connecticut in 1639. It was called The Fundamental Orders.
– The first nuclear-powered submarine was built in Connecticut.
– Mark Twain wrote many of his novels in Connecticut.
Some of the many famous people from Connecticut include actresses Katharine Hepburn, Glenn Close and Meg Ryan, singers Michael Bolton, John Mayer and Karen Carpenter, and actors Paul Giamatti and Dylan McDermott.
Let’s learn about your fellow panel members in Connecticut! Here’s how our Connecticut panel members answered some of our state highlight survey questions.
Previous Post:
NCP Blog: A Gift for Any Occasion
NCP panel members represent consumers all across the country by sharing their shopping experiences and opinions. If you’re not a panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, click here or go to the Join NCP section of the blog!
We buy and give gifts at all different times throughout the year. But, from time to time, the summer months may be filled with lots of events for which you need to buy a gift such as high school and college graduations, engagements, bridal and baby showers, and more.
When it comes to gift giving for any type of occasion, many people now turn to buying gift cards, including me!
Gift cards have become very popular due to their convenience and ease of purchase. Gift cards not only give the recipient the freedom to buy whatever they want, they take the stress off the gift giver who is usually left wondering if they made the right choice when buying an actual physical gift.
So, what are some of the reasons why people prefer to give gift cards? Let’s take a look at this list from Business Insider.
Gift cards can be the preferred gift to…
– Treat someone who doesn’t usually prioritize themselves (such as giving a gift card to a spa, hair salon, etc.)
– Support someone whose interests and hobbies you don’t know much about
– Keep on top of someone’s changing interests
– Make sure someone gets the gift they want
– Support small businesses that you love
Sure, it’s simple and convenient to buy a gift card and slip it inside a greeting card or into a small gift bag with tissue paper. But, if you have the time, there are ways to wrap it up with a little creativity!
Many stores, both online and physical stores, now sell fun gift card holders such as ones with a variety of designs on them, ones that have a pop-up image when opened, and even ones shaped like a toolbox, a book, etc.
Previous Post:
NCP Blog: Spotlight on Panel Members in Colorado
NCP panel members represent consumers all across the country by sharing their shopping experiences and opinions. If you’re not a panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, click here or go to the Join NCP section of the blog!
Colorado was admitted to the Union on August 1, 1876, as the 38th state. It’s known as the Centennial State because 1876 is also the year the United States celebrated its centennial. The state capital is Denver, which is also the state’s largest city.
According to the US Census Bureau, the estimated population of Colorado was nearly 5.9 million people as of July 1, 2023. It’s the 21st most populous state in the country, and the 8th largest state by land area.
Every state has their own unique symbols, from birds to flowers to songs and more! Here are some of Colorado’s official state symbols:
– Animal: Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep
– Flower: White and lavender columbine
– Tree: Colorado blue spruce
– Folk Dance: Square dance
– Gemstone: Aquamarine
– Bird: Lark bunting
– Reptile: Western painted turtle
Find more information about Colorado’s state symbols here.
Colorado turned down the Winter Olympics in 1976. The events were slated to be held in Denver, but 62% of voters chose not to host the Olympics due to the cost and the effects of pollution and population it would have on the state.
The world’s largest natural hot springs pool, a two-block long pool, is located in Glenwood Springs.
The first rodeo in the world was held on July 4, 1869, in Deer Trail.
Colorado shares the Four Corners, a unique point in the United States of America, where four state borders meet: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.
Famous people from Colorado include the actors Tim Allen, Kristin Davis, and Douglas Fairbanks; John Denver; and the Olympic swimmer Amy Van Dyken.
Want to learn more about your fellow panel members in another state? Here’s how our Colorado panel members answered some of our survey questions!
Previous Post:
NCP Blog: What’s on the Grill- Meat
NCP panel members represent consumers all across the country by sharing their shopping experiences and opinions. If you’re not a panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, click here or go to the Join NCP section of the blog!
Memorial Day weekend is approaching quickly, and millions of Americans will honor and remember U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the armed forces. Did you know that in 1873, New York was the first state to recognize Memorial Day as a legal holiday?
It’s also considered by many to be the unofficial beginning of summer, and many people spend the long weekend traveling, with family and friends, or relaxing at home.
According to research by Wallethub, more than half of Americans plan to barbecue over the long holiday weekend. The average cost of a Memorial Day cookout this year is $30, which is a 10% increase over last year. And, Americans will spend $1.3 billion on meat!
May 16 was National Barbecue Day, and we asked our Facebook and Instagram followers “what’s your favorite food item to barbecue?” Most of the answers involved some type of meat:
– Chicken
– Steak
– Hamburgers
– Hot dogs or brats
– Ribs
– Seafood such as shrimp
A few people also mentioned vegetables, and one person even said they love to grill watermelon! I’ve always loved cutting up potatoes, wrapping them up in aluminum foil along with butter, salt, and pepper, and throwing them on the grill. They’re so delicious!
More than 65% of Americans plan to grocery shop on Memorial Day, according to Wallethub, with 68% planning to spend less than $100 over the weekend. That’s not surprising, since many consumers are still concerned about inflation and rising prices of food and other items.
A 2023 year-end survey by Circana found that 55% of shoppers are looking for sales or deals more often. In addition, nearly 3 in 10 shoppers are adding value-focused retailers into their shopping list, while 18% shop at more grocery stores in order to find the best deals.
Previous Post:
NCP Blog: Spotlight on Panel Members in California
NCP panel members represent consumers all across the country by sharing their shopping experiences and opinions. If you’re not a panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, click here or go to the Join NCP section of the blog!
Up next in our Spotlight on States series is California!
California was admitted to the Union on September 9, 1850 as the 31st state. Sacramento is the state capital and California is the 3rd largest state. California is bordered by the states of Nevada, Arizona and Oregon.
According to the US Census Bureau, the estimated population of California is 38,965,193 (2023 est.), and ranks as the #1 most populous state.
Every state has their own unique symbols, from birds to flowers to songs and more! Here are some of California’s official state symbols:
Find more information about California’s state symbols/facts here.
There are many interesting facts about California. Here are just a few from The Fact Site:
– California’s name comes from a mythical island paradise written about in an early 16th-century Spanish novel.
– If California was its own country, it would have the 5th largest economy in the world.
– California has more National Parks than any other state. It also has gorgeous beaches spread all along its coastline.
– The largest living tree in the world stands tall in California’s Sequoia National Park (the General Sherman tree).
– In 1955 Walt Disney opened Disneyland in a 160-acre orange grove in Anaheim. And, in 1976 Steve Jobs and Stephen Wozniak started Apple Computer in a garage in Los Altos.
Let’s learn about your fellow panel members in California! Here’s how California panel members answered some of our state highlight survey questions.
Previous Post:
NCP Blog: The Spin on Vinyl Records
NCP panel members represent consumers all across the country by sharing their shopping experiences and opinions. If you’re not a panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, click here or go to the Join NCP section of the blog!