LOS ANGELES and MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 29, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- The influence of minorities, the rise in home ownership, the aging of the American population and the spread of obesity cannot be ignored by businesses and investors looking to prosper in America, according to a just-completed study by The Mercanti Group. "The Changing Faces of America" analyzes the socioeconomic and demographic trends facing America that Mercanti believes should underpin investment decisions for the future. Based on in-depth study of the 2000 U.S. Census data, the report details emerging trends in population, geography, mobility, gender, age, race and education that will influence the U.S. economy and its consumer and industrial sectors.
"We believe those CEOs and investors who take the time to analyze these trends and position their companies accordingly will gain huge competitive advantages and will capture growth and value at a greater rate than the overall economy," said James D'Aquila, managing director of The Mercanti Group, which comprises a select group of senior investment banking executives drawn from the ranks of major national and international firms. "This research is designed to help our clients, middle market companies and private equity firms, take a big picture view of issues that should factor into their long-term investment decisions - within their own businesses, in their markets and in their planning for the future."
The report concludes that four major trends cannot be ignored:
-- The increasing economic influence of minority groups, especially
Hispanics, will dramatically affect every consumer products
manufacturer and retailer in the country.
-- Rising home ownership and the prevalence of Americans to view
their homes as their #1 investment.
-- People living longer and enjoying more active lifestyles due to
advances in healthcare.
-- The spread of the obesity epidemic that is affecting all people
regardless of gender, age or race.
"Some of America's most successful businesses and Wall Street's savviest investors have based their successes on a keen appreciation of underlying demographics," D'Aquila said. "Our aim with this report was to move beyond today's buy and sell decisions and apply a longer-term view to how these fundamentals will affect various industries."
Industries examined in the report that Mercanti believes will benefit from the major shifts in American demographics include alcoholic beverages and tobacco, apparel and footwear, food and non-alcoholic beverages, healthcare products and supplies, household durables and non-durables, restaurants, general and special retailing, supermarkets and drugstores.
The report notes that the 2000 U.S. Census was the largest peacetime mobilization of American resources and personnel ever. At a cost of $4.5 billion and staffed by 970,000 employees, the census gathered more data and detail than any other previous decennial survey of the American population.
Copies the complete report are available by contacting The Mercanti Group at www.mercantigroup.com, or calling their offices in Los Angeles (310.444.0130) or Minneapolis (612.333.0130).
About The Mercanti Group
The Mercanti Group, founded in 2001, is a boutique investment bank focused on providing Merger & Acquisition, Capital Raising and Strategic Advisory services to middle market companies, private equity firms and individual business owners. Mercanti predominantly concentrates on four primary industries: consumer and retail, technology, health care, and manufacturing and services. For more information on The Mercanti Group, please visit the website at www.mercantigroup.com, or contact them at 612.333.0130 (Minneapolis office) or 310.444.0130 (Los Angeles office).