Confectionery continues to be a strong category. Consumers still want their little indulgences and they are still looking to confectionery as presents for occasions.

Convenience store customers appear to have taken to drink to get through the recession, soothing away any economic distress with hot beverages. According to IRI, the total convenience market for the 52 weeks to December 5 was worth £187m, up 4.3% on the previous year.

Toiletries and grooming products may not have the same urgency as bread and milk, but they are a steady stream of products that consumers will continue to buy. There is a level of brand loyalty and with brands bringing out new products in the last few months there may well be trial purchases.

A new product category has recently emerged in the UK the energy shot. Although they could be confused with their cousin the energy drink, shots are described by research company Mintel as being much smaller than traditional energy/sports drinks. The company says many provide a "more sustained period of energy claiming, in many cases, not to cause a 'crash' as the effects wear off". What is more, shots' manufacturers claim that energy shots sales will be incremental to existing energy drinks because they provide different reasons to purchase them. Among these, as Mintel points out, is a reduced amount of liquid intake leading to a reduced 'toilet factor' ideal for energy-seeking drivers or those taking exams.

With the government's Change 4 Life adverts constantly appearing on our screens it's clear that healthy eating is a trend that is here to stay. Even during the recession, consumers are wanting healthier products. And the New Year brings with it the annual January detox.

Ethnic food brand owners have been rubbing their hands with glee during the recession. That's because just as restaurant goers have been down-trading to takeaways, so takeaway consumers have been returning to their kitchens to knock up a curry or stir fry at home.

Ben Speed, account manager for retail at the Fairtrade Foundation, is talking in a language that anyone in business will understand.

For most of the year the soft drinks focus for independent retailers is impulse packs the 500ml bottles, cans and Tetrapaks. However, though these packs are still important at Christmas, December is the time when bigger, sharing bottles move more to centre stage.