Usa: consumer barometer reports interest in sunclips

The Vca's consumer three-month purchase plan index for sunclips stands at 104.1 for the month of September, a significant 15.5 percent increase over August. The sunclip purchase plan index is now back at where it was in June of 2004, when the summer months had just begun to heat up and consumers were ready to buy the latest in sunwear fashions.

Looking at the overall market performance of sunclips over time, Vca data shows that while sunclips are still a tiny market, their potential to grow is very promising. The percentage of the adult population is using sunclips has risen significantly, from 6.7 percent in the first quarter of 2002, to 11.0 percent in the second quarter of 2004. This rise in sunclip use has stayed almost entirely consistent through each quarter from 2002 to today. Based on this trend, it is expected that the sunclips market will continue to grow.

In assessing the demographics of the latest market trends, several important conclusions can be made about exactly who are using sunclips. Race is the strongest indicator for determining sunclip users. Caucasians have consistently comprised 75 percent of sunclip users in America.

Age is another indicator for determining sunclip users. Adults aged 50 and over have repeatedly represented nearly half of sunclip users. Women and married individuals are more likely to use sunclips than the rest of the population.