American Express:The Latest Consumer Trends

Mary Himes,Vice-President of Marketing at American Express,highlights the offering of coupons to groups of consumers by the websites Groupon and Gilt Groupe.These sites are in the Group Buying and Social Spending categories.Social shopping is on the rise,and the response has been enormous.It has the exponential value of word of mouth.
Mobile tech is changing consumers.They are buying local,supporting their local economy.They want a hometown feel,the general store ambiance.The response to the recent Small Business Saturday promotion was enormous.There was a 28% increase in business for those who take American Express cards.
The customization of products is so critical,spread across a variety of industries.AmEx is offering customized credit cards.These have packs of benefits for customers to choose from,such as the health and fitness pack,Ms.Himes pointed out.
American Express(AXP)

Coke Continues Health Push

Coca-Cola is continuing its healthy lifestyle marketing campaign.Coke understands what Americans need today,and is there to meet that need,not just peddle random products.With its signature brand,Coke is offering both low calorie options Diet Coke and Coke Zero,and Coke portion-control cans.
Coke is even introducing a new,all-natural no-calorie sweetener.Rebiana is derived from the stevia leaf and is part of the sweetening for 50-calorie Sprite Green and 10-calorie vitaminwater10.Coke says that,for nearly every beverage brand it sells,it has developed a low or no-calorie alternative.In the U.S. alone,it offers more than 650 sparkling beverages,water,juices,teas and sport drinks.People want variety and choices in all the beverages they drink,the company believes.They have committed themselves to continually providing a variety of options that help people make the right choices for themselves and their families.
Coke has set up a website for this campaign at www.livepositively.com