What is it?
SPINS segments UPCs into three nested universes: Natural Product Industry, abbreviated as ‘NPI’; Health & Wellness Industry, abbreviated as ‘HWI’; and finally Total Product Library, abbreviated as ‘TPL.’ These universes are based on a brand’s Positioning Group.
Why is it important?
Universes are useful for brands and retailers because they can provide an easy way to select what product assortment is right for their analysis. Universes are one major way to quickly segment and compare the performance of products.
What are some examples?
Retailers usually carry a mix of these items together – for example, you might find Cheerios (Conventional Positioning Group), Fiber One (Specialty & Wellness Positioning Group), and Nature’s Path (Natural) all together in your local grocery store’s cereal set.