Drought for Aussie consumers

or how strapped consumers followed the international trend and moved down market to save cash:

The local offshoot of Anglo-Dutch consumer products giant Unilever, which sells everything from shampoo and ice-cream to tea and laundry powder, has been hit by a profit collapse of almost 50 per cent to $43.12 million as revenues flat-lined in 2012.

The souring profit and unresponsive sales performance comes as suppliers in Australia, both big and small, are facing increasing pressure from the supermarket giants to take margin haircuts and invest heavily in their own supply systems to improve efficiencies in the supply chain.

Unilever's heavy reliance on its empire of brands is also challenged by cautious consumer behaviour and the growth in popularity of unbranded private-label groceries at the supermarket checkout (here).