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*Copyright 2012 The Nielsen Company. Confidential and proprietary.

About the Nielsen Global Consumer SurveyThe Nielsen Global Survey reaches over 28,000 Internet users around the world every three months representing a global online population of close to one billion consumers. The survey was established in 2005 and is used to gauge consumer sentiment in the economy, follow consumers spending intentions and monitor changing habits. The survey currently spans 56 countries across 15 time zones. The Nielsen survey is the largest of its kind to reveal global insights on emerging trends in the consumer packaged goods and media industries. The findings are used by international FMCG companies, retailers and media news outlets to keep a pulse on consumers attitudes and behaviors as it relates to the ever-changing retail, media and technology landscape. Each quarter, Nielsen reports Consumer Confidence Index results. Twice annually, topical questions on consumers watch and buy habits are included.

The Quarter 2 Survey was fielded from May 4 - May 21, 2012 Irish respondents 500About the Nielsen European Growth ReporterCompares overall market dynamics (value and unit growth) in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods sector across Europe.Is based on the sales tracking Nielsen performs in every European market. Covers sales in grocery, hypermarket, supermarket, discount and convenience channels Is based on the widest possible basket of product categories that are continuously tracked by Nielsen in each of these countries and channels

**Consumers look to a range of belt tightening strategies to reduce their domestic expenditure. These will involve:reducing discretionary spending on clothes, take-aways, entertainment and short vacationsdelay the replacement or upgrading of household appliances and technologyto find lower pricestry to break habits use car less often, drink less, smoke less

The impact of this contraction in discretionary spending can be tracked in the news media:horrendous sales for high street clothes retailerstelecoms and media providers cutting dividends and jobsslashing of profits for companies, redundancies Glanbia, Diageo, Ryan air.....foodservice: reports that footfall through restaurants, pubs and fast food outlets in sharp declinePubs closing down

During recessionary situations consumers reallocate spending across FMCG categories to meet basic needs with less real purchasing powerMost evident among familiesMost evident for mainstream brands

Reallocation based on necessity of categoriesMore meals cooked at home (less eating out)More spending on less-expensive categoriesLess spending on non-essentials categories

Cash StrappedIrish consumers are still cautious when it comes to discretionary spending. When asked if they thought now is a good time to buy the things they want and need, a massive 72% said it was not so good or a bad time. This is not surprising with over a fith of Irish consumers claiming that they have no spare cash. Paying off debts and saving remain the two biggest uses of any spare cash once essential living expenses have been covered, with almost all areas of discretionary spending falling versus 6 months ago, bucking the global average which has seen increases across the board. It is clear that fears about further taxes and pay cuts in the upcoming budget are having an impact on consumers willingness and ability to part with their cash. Even holidays, which Irish consumers have traditionally been keen to keep money for, have seen a massive drop in the percentage of people with discretionary spend put aside for them, down a whopping 14% points, from 36% to 22% of respondents. Cut backs on out of home entertainment, take aways, clothes, switching to cheaper grocery brands and trying to save on household energy costs are the biggest areas of savings for Irish consumers, with take-aways and OOH entertainment seeing a bigger number of people cutting back on these versus 6 months ago.Breaking News

*********ROI Market Track (Confectionery, Cigarettes)ROI Off-Trade (Alcohol) ROI Scantrack (Grocery, Household, H&B, Bakery, Frozen, Canned) Total 10bn Mar 2011

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