Higher prices are changing food shopping behavior, Deloitte

By Elaine Watson

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Percent Nutrition

Higher prices are changing food shopping behavior, Deloitte
Almost two thirds (62 percent) of shoppers claim that their food buying behavior has changed as a result of higher food prices, according to a new survey.

While ‘frugality fatigue’ ​(to borrow General Mills’ phrase) might have set in for some after months of economic gloom, habits are changing as consumers try to adjust to higher prices, says Deloitte in its latest Consumer Food and Product Insight Survey.

88 percent say prices have risen

The vast majority (88 percent) of the 2,000 consumers polled by Deloitte in mid-May said retail food prices had recently gone up, compared with 67 percent who felt prices in restaurants had risen.

As a result, 75 percent claimed to be choosing some cheaper products, 48 percent said they were buying fewer products overall and 40 percent said they had bought more private label goods.

Meanwhile, 90 percent said they were eating out less, 25 percent opted for cheaper restaurants, while 16 percent dined at the same place, but chose cheaper menu options.

Rising gas prices had also prompted 73 percent to make fewer trips to food stores to conserve fuel.

Nutrition: 76 percent seeking out healthier options in store

As for healthy eating, asked whether they would like to see more foods on a high-fiber, low-sugar, low-salt or low-calorie platform, 72 percent, 70 percent, 69 percent and 68 percent respectively said yes (although what consumers say they want and what they actually buy does not always correlate).

Given the demise of Atkins, a surprising number (six out of 10) also claimed that they would like to see more low-carb foods available in stores.

Just over half also claimed to read the Nutrition Facts box on unfamiliar packaged foods to check out calories, fat, sodium levels, while 76 percent claimed to be “increasingly looking for healthier food options​” while grocery shopping.

This, coupled with the roll-out of front-of-pack nutrition labeling presented manufacturers with an opportunity, said Pat Conroy​, US consumer products practice leader at Deloitte

“[This] presents a tremendous opportunity for consumer products companies that are willing to enhance their nutritional transparency.”

Smart phones and food shopping

The growth of smartphones also presented food manufacturers and retailers with new opportunities, said Conroy, with just over a third of consumers polled using their mobile phones to access/view social coupons or limited-time deals and a third of those owning smartphones or web-enabled mobile devices using them in store to manage a food shopping list or recipe(s).

"Smarter phones and smarter shoppers are transforming today's shopping experience,” ​said Conroy.

“Moving forward, consumer product companies must make themselves more accessible to consumers who are using 21st century technologies to look for coupons, store specials and to even shop for groceries."

Click here​ to access the survey results in full.

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1 comment

coupons

Posted by lupitagibbs,

I found a site where you can get coupons for restaurant called "Printapon" they are on all over the news, search online

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