Marketing research and insights news and information. This issue's keywords: private and national food brands; instant messaging; product endorsement; Millennial finances; dessert

Fifty-five percent of worldwide Internet users now use instant messaging every day and 76 percent use it weekly, according to a new study by London-based research consultancy TNS. There has been a 12 percent uplift in daily usage of instant messaging over the past year as more people opt for closed messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Viber, while social platforms have seen a 6 percent uplift in daily usage. The study also shows instant messaging is particularly popular in emerging mobile-first markets, with daily usage rising higher in China (69 percent), Brazil (73 percent), Malaysia (77 percent) and South Africa (64 percent). However, some Western markets are falling behind, including the U.K. (39 percent) and the U.S. (35 percent). Facebook maintains its position as the world's favorite social platform, with 30 percent of global Internet users saying they use it every day, while WeChat shows popularity in China with 68 percent daily usage.

Though 95 percent of consumers buy private-label brands, only 12 percent of those surveyed said they wholeheartedly trust the safety of the private and national food brands they consume and only 10 percent wholeheartedly trust the quality. The research, involving 3,000 shoppers across nine countries, was conducted by Trace One, a Boston-based SaaS firm serving the food industry. Twenty-seven percent of consumers do not trust the information on food product labels. Nearly three-quarters of respondents said they chose private-label brands because of lower prices and 22 percent said they buy them because of the product's quality. Ninety-one percent of consumers said it's important to them to know where their food comes from but 62 percent said they're not provided with enough information about what's in their food and its origins. Eighty-four percent of respondents believe food retailers and manufacturers are responsible for private-brand food quality and safety and 36 percent believe they don't act quickly enough to provide timely information during health scares.

Research from SheKnows Media, Scottsdale, Ariz., shows female consumers prefer to hear from everyday people who they can relate to over brands that use big companies and celebrities paid to endorse products and services, with 86 percent of women surveyed saying they put the most trust in the product and service recommendations of real people. The study found that women find online everyday experts more engaging than big companies, with 58 percent of women turning to YouTube to learn about products from everyday experts. Additionally, 52 percent turn to Facebook, 50 percent turn to Pinterest, 46 percent turn to Instagram and 36 percent of women seek out bloggers before buying a product.

Many Millennials struggle with financial priorities and how to plan for the future according to a survey by Lincoln Financial Group, Radnor, Pa. The research shows four in five 18-to-34-year-olds say their top challenges include trying to understand their insurance coverage options (83 percent) and retirement planning (79 percent). By comparison, 70 percent of the general population feels overwhelmed by insurance options and 67 percent feel the same about retirement choices. Online research is the most popular financial planning information source for Millennials (38 percent), excluding family members. Despite these challenges, 83 percent of Millennials say they save money from every paycheck, compared to 78 percent of the general population. Eighty-three percent of Millennials also say they are more motivated to plan for their financial future around the time of a major life milestone like getting married, having a child or purchasing a new home, versus 72 percent of the general population.

Sixty-three percent of consumers surveyed indulge in dessert at least once a week and while most tend to favor traditional desserts like cookies, cakes and pies while eating out at restaurants, many consumers also seek something new, shows a report by Chicago-based researcher Technomic. The report also finds that 58 percent of desserts are purchased on impulse and 34 percent of consumers say they are more likely to order dessert if smaller portion options are available. Today's most preferred desserts include brownies (67 percent), apple pie (65 percent) and chocolate cake (59 percent). 

These reports were compiled from recent issues of the Daily News Queue, a free e-newsletter digest of marketing research and insights news and information delivered each business morning. Not already in the Queue? Sign up here!

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