Target last month introduced a new line of certified natural and organic skin care products developed exclusively for multicultural skin types.

The Minneapolis-based chain developed the line, called SheaMoisture, in partnership with Sundial Brands, a privately owned African-American skin care company. The line features a selection of bath, body, and skin care products developed to address diverse skin care needs--from dry and sensitive to normal.

"SheaMoisture is more than a new line of body and beauty items," says Greg Cunningham, Target's director of multicultural marketing. "All of our SheaMoisture products utilize high concentrations of pure shea butter, which is one of the most effective natural skin conditioners and moisturizers. This is an exceptional personal care solution for our guests with dry and special skin care needs."

According to Sundial, SheaMoisture ingredients are derived from traditional African and Asian remedies and include aloe vera, for soothing and softening skin; jojoba oil, a fast-absorbing skin hydrator; vitamin A, to help sun-damaged skin and prevent premature wrinkles; and vitamin E, a powerful natural antioxidant that helps improve circulation and diminishes skin irritations.

The products, which range in price from $1.99 to $19.99, include SheaMoisture Body Wash, SheaMoisture Soap, SheaMoisture Lotion, SheaMoisture Body Scrub, and SheaMoisture 100% Shea Butter. Target has also introduced SheaMoisture Shave, a personal care solution exclusively for men experiencing ingrown hairs and razor bumps.



Recession? Not for Hispanics buying electronics

The economic downturn hasn't affected Hispanic consumers when it comes to buying TVs, laptops, and electronic games.

Even during a down economy, Hispanic adults in the United States are more likely to spend money on the latest consumer electronics devices, according to the new Customer Focus OPINIONES study by Baltimore-based marketing consulting firm Vertis Communications.

According to the study, 28 percent of Hispanics indicated they will purchase a large-screen (or high-definition) TV within the next 12 months, compared with just 23 percent of non-Hispanics. Hispanics are also more likely to invest in a new laptop or notebook computer, with 22 percent of respondents planning a purchase within the next year, compared with only 18 percent of non-Hispanic Americans.

Hispanics are also more likely to purchase portable and gaming electronics items. Twenty-one percent of Hispanics surveyed said they plan to buy a digital camera in 2008, compared with only 18 percent of non-Hispanics. Twenty-one percent will also purchase a video gaming system, compared with only 12 percent of non-Hispanics. The same goes for music: 19 percent said they plan to buy an MP3 player, compared with only 12 percent of non-Hispanics.

And before purchasing these items, Hispanics research them online. Sixty-two percent of Hispanics with Internet access indicated they research home electronics online prior to purchase, just ahead of non-Hispanics, of which 59 percent conduct such research. The second-most researched purchase among Hispanics was clothing, with 38 percent of all Hispanics with Internet access responding that they research clothes online before buying them.

The products least likely to be researched, among both Hispanics and non-Hispanics, were groceries, with only 8 percent looking up these products on the Web.



African-Americans respond more to ads: study

Magazine Publishers of America's new edition of African-American/Black Market Profile analyzes market data from a myriad of sources to reveal insights aimed at helping magazine marketers better target the African-American consumer.

Here are some of the report's findings:
The percent of African-Americans who read magazines (86 percent) is virtually the same as that of the total magazine-reading population. African-Americans/blacks read more issues per month than the general market: 11 issues vs. eight issues.
African-American buying power will pass $1 trillion in the year 2012.
When looking at African-American magazine advertising engagement, research shows that the group recalled ads on average 9 percent more, and took action in response to advertising 15 percent of the time, more than all readers did.
African-American teens, a major influence in today's mainstream culture, especially in music, sports, and fashion, spend an average of $96 dollars monthly on magazines, 20 percent more per month than the average U.S. teen.
From 2002 to 2006, there were 85 new magazine launches targeting African-Americans.
The African-American population is expected to grow faster than the national average over the next five years, a 6.7 percent projected increase between 2007 and 2012.African-Americans are more likely than the average consumer to respond to a company's efforts to be more environmentally responsible.