Shoppers in the UK are spending less money on toilet paper to save money, research has shown.Penny-pinching UK consumers choose cheaper products from discounters such as Aldi and Lidl rather than luxury alternatives.This has wiped 6% off the value of the soft tissue paper market in the UK. It has shrunk from £1.19 billion in 2011 to £1.12 billion in 2015, according to a new report from market research company Mintel. Furthermore, the future of the market looks far from rosy, with sales expected to fall further to £1.11 billion in 2016.In the last year alone, despite an increase in the UK population and a subsequent rise in the number of households, sales of toilet paper fell by 2%, with the average household reducing their toilet roll spending from £43 in 2014 to £41 in 2015.Overall, almost three in five people say they try to limit their usage of paper — including facial tissue and kitchen roll — to save money. "Strength, softness and thickness remain the leading indicators of toilet paper quality, with just a small proportion of consumers preferring more luxurious alternatives, such as those with flower patterns or perfume," said Mintel analyst Jack Duckett. "These extra features are deemed unnecessary by the majority of shoppers, which probably reflects how these types of products are typically more expensive than regular toilet paper, even when on special offer."While consumers are spending less on toilet paper, they remain fussy — in theory at least — when it comes to paper quality. Top of Britons,toilet paper wish list is softness (57%) followed by strength (45%) and thickness (36%).One in 10 buyers rank toilet rolls made from recycled paper among their top considerations, highlighting how overall the environment is much less of a consideration for shoppers than product quality. In a challenge for manufacturers, 81% of paper product users said they would consider buying recycled toilet tissue if it were comparable in quality to standard paper.The market sales of toilet paper have decreased because .A.Britons have cut their spending on itB.its prices have gone up over the yearsC.its quality has seen marked improvementD.Britons have developed the habit of savingWhat does the author think of the future of the tissue paper market in the UK?A.It will expand in time.B.It will remain gloomy.C.It will experience ups and downs.D.It will recover as population grows.What does Jack Duckett say about toilet paper?A.Special offers would promote its sales.B.Consumers are loyal to certain brands.C.Luxurious features add much to the price.D.Consumers have a variety to choose from.What do we learn about Britons concerning toilet paper?A.They are particular about the quality of toilet paper.B.They emphasize the strength of toilet paper the most.C.They prefer cheap toilet paper to recycled toilet paper.D.They reject using toilet paper with unnecessary features.What can we infer from the last paragraph?A.More and more Britons buy recycled toilet paper to protect the environment.B.Toilet paper manufacturers are facing a great challenge in promoting its sales.C.Toilet paper manufacturers compete with one another to improve product quality.D.Environmental protection is not much of a concern when Britons buy toilet paper.
Shoppers in the UK are spending less money on toilet paper to save money, research has shown.
Penny-pinching UK consumers choose cheaper products from discounters such as Aldi and Lidl rather than luxury alternatives.
This has wiped 6% off the value of the soft tissue paper market in the UK. It has shrunk from £1.19 billion in 2011 to £1.12 billion in 2015, according to a new report from market research company Mintel. Furthermore, the future of the market looks far from rosy, with sales expected to fall further to £1.11 billion in 2016.
In the last year alone, despite an increase in the UK population and a subsequent rise in the number of households, sales of toilet paper fell by 2%, with the average household reducing their toilet roll spending from £43 in 2014 to £41 in 2015.
Overall, almost three in five people say they try to limit their usage of paper — including facial tissue and kitchen roll — to save money. "Strength, softness and thickness remain the leading indicators of toilet paper quality, with just a small proportion of consumers preferring more luxurious alternatives, such as those with flower patterns or perfume," said Mintel analyst Jack Duckett. "These extra features are deemed unnecessary by the majority of shoppers, which probably reflects how these types of products are typically more expensive than regular toilet paper, even when on special offer."
While consumers are spending less on toilet paper, they remain fussy — in theory at least — when it comes to paper quality. Top of Britons,toilet paper wish list is softness (57%) followed by strength (45%) and thickness (36%).
One in 10 buyers rank toilet rolls made from recycled paper among their top considerations, highlighting how overall the environment is much less of a consideration for shoppers than product quality. In a challenge for manufacturers, 81% of paper product users said they would consider buying recycled toilet tissue if it were comparable in quality to standard paper.
The market sales of toilet paper have decreased because .
A.Britons have cut their spending on it
B.its prices have gone up over the years
C.its quality has seen marked improvement
D.Britons have developed the habit of saving
What does the author think of the future of the tissue paper market in the UK?
A.It will expand in time.
B.It will remain gloomy.
C.It will experience ups and downs.
D.It will recover as population grows.
What does Jack Duckett say about toilet paper?
A.Special offers would promote its sales.
B.Consumers are loyal to certain brands.
C.Luxurious features add much to the price.
D.Consumers have a variety to choose from.
What do we learn about Britons concerning toilet paper?
A.They are particular about the quality of toilet paper.
B.They emphasize the strength of toilet paper the most.
C.They prefer cheap toilet paper to recycled toilet paper.
D.They reject using toilet paper with unnecessary features.
What can we infer from the last paragraph?
A.More and more Britons buy recycled toilet paper to protect the environment.
B.Toilet paper manufacturers are facing a great challenge in promoting its sales.
C.Toilet paper manufacturers compete with one another to improve product quality.
D.Environmental protection is not much of a concern when Britons buy toilet paper.
题目解答
答案
- (1)A
- (2)B
- (3)C
- (4)A
- (5)D
解析
- 考查要点:本题主要考查学生对文章主旨、细节及隐含信息的理解能力,需结合上下文推断作者观点及数据背后的趋势。
- 解题思路:
- 第1题:需明确市场销售额下降的直接原因,关注文中明确提到的消费行为变化。
- 第2题:通过数据预测判断未来趋势,注意文中“expected to fall further”等关键词。
- 第3题:抓住Jack Duckett的原话,理解“luxurious alternatives”与价格的关系。
- 第4题:分析英国消费者对厕纸质量的具体要求,注意“wish list”中的排序。
- 第5题:通过最后一段数据推断环保因素在消费者决策中的权重。
第(1)题
关键信息:文章首段指出“shoppers are spending less money on toilet paper”,且第3段提到“average household reduced spending from £43 to £41”。直接原因是消费者减少购买量,而非价格变化或质量提升。
第(2)题
数据支撑:文中明确预测“sales expected to fall further to £1.11 billion in 2016”,且“future looks far from rosy”。“gloomy”与“黯淡”对应。
第(3)题
原话分析:Jack Duckett指出“luxurious alternatives(如花色、香型)更贵,且被多数人视为多余”。“add much to the price”是核心结论。
第(4)题
细节推断:文中强调“softness(57%)、strength(45%)、thickness(36%)”是首要需求,且“fussy about quality in theory”。“particular about quality”是关键。
第(5)题
数据推断:81%消费者仅在质量相同时考虑回收纸,但“environment is much less of a consideration than quality”。“environmental protection is not a major concern”是隐含结论。