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Consumers have changed food buying habits
A Braun Research survey conducted for IBM confirms the recession has prompted consumers to change their food-buying habits. Telephone interviews with 4,000 people across the country and across all income levels in July found they were taking a closer look at brands, packaging and the stores they shop. While spending has changed, 72 percent said they place a higher value on quality over price. When asked what one item they do not want to give up, meat, poultry and coffee topped the list. On the other hand, they were most willing to cut spending on prepared food and individual-sized beverages.
Other points the survey found:
68% say nutrition is the most important consideration when buying food
52% say they are reducing the volume of food purchased at the grocery store
49% are shopping at more stores to get the best deal
35% have changed grocery stores to save money
34% are choosing less expensive health and personal care items
The respondents also say they will continue these new shopping habits even after the recession is over. One other note of interest, when asked if they were given an extra $10 to spend on food, how would they spend it? The most popular response across all income categories was dessert items.
Read more from the survey here:
Asking consumers what they will purchase and what they really purchase are usally very different. A shopping basket survey is much more meaningfull.