?"The combined household markets showed only 2% value growth last year, and I don't see that changing significantly for 2008. However, within that total, there are a number of different forces at work that manufacturers and retailers need to be aware of and to exploit, some of which are interlinked. Environmental responsibility is one high on our agenda, evidenced by our early involvement in the development of the Charter of Sustainable Cleaning. Increased environmental awareness from consumers, the move to concentration, more premium packaging, fragrance development, tiering within categories to drive value growth, products that offer better ease of use and are more job-specific all come to mind. It looks like being another challenging year."

Ken Johnson marketing controller UK brands, McBride



?"Anti-bacterial sprays are experiencing rapid market growth, and hygiene and cleanliness remain the key drivers for consumers considering which cleaning products to buy. Shoppers associate a bigger product with better value for money, and our research shows consumers tend to use up bigger packs relatively faster, therefore adding more value to the category."

Louise Brunt category strategy manager for homecare, Unilever UK



?"Consumers will increasingly demand performance, convenience and environmental responsibility as a given from their chosen brands. Reckitt Benckiser recently announced its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint - and this impacts what we produce, where it is produced, the packaging, the transport, all the way to usage and disposal. Only by tackling and reducing the environmental impact of our brands across the full length of the production/usage/disposal cycle can we ensure we are truly making a difference."

Phil Thomas marketing director, Reckitt Benckiser household & personal care UK.



?"The UK has some of the longest working hours in Europe. As a result we're seeing the continuation of the time-poor, cash-rich theme with the need for products that are convenient and quick to use but don't compromise on efficacy. Task-oriented products are in strong growth and we are also seeing growth from purely multi-purpose products. Consumers are now looking for products with an additional element, which we are calling 'multi-purpose plus'. Tapping into this new sub-category will drive value and increase sales."

Sarah Cummings Unilever category and brand Insight manager

?"The laundry category has seen much development over the past few years, with 2008 promising to continue this trend with more innovative NPD. The detergents category saw most growth in liquid formats over 2007, reflecting consumer choice to move towards a more premium and convenient product in liquitabs, and a drive towards compacted liquids. Consumers are demanding both brilliant cleaning from their chosen brand and high levels of efficiency and convenience."

Jonathan Horton market strategy planner, laundry, Procter & Gamble



?"The UK has the highest awareness and understanding of health and environmental issues in its history. These issues look likely to continue to dominate the news for years to come and are becoming firmly entrenched in the consciousness of consumers. This has been reflected in the increase in consumers demanding more from their products, which are now expected to meet consumers' evolving attitudes towards the environment. One of the most popular trends is a laundry aid that can work at lower temperatures and use less water."

Claire Berry marketing director, Acdoco



? "We have moved most manufacturing for the UK to the UK to reduce our carbon footprint. We have produced the first cleaning bottle made out of 100% PCR (post-consumer recycled plastic). All our new bottles produced in the UK are from 100% PCR, our wipes are biodegradable and made of wood-pulp, with the next step to make them of bamboo. We've also created our own version of the plastic bag - a reusable tote we like to call Plastic Bag Rehab."

Method spokesman