Most households (54%) spend more than $95 on food shopping every week, according to the National Grocers Association. This is the third straight year that most families spent in excess of that amount, which researchers say represents a push-pull between making more meals at home and the intense saving practices of primary household shoppers. The vast majority of households (89%) have home cooked meals at least three times a week, and 57% have leftovers at least twice a week.
At the upper echelon, slightly fewer households (14%) are spending more than $135 per week on groceries, down from 16%.
Shoppers are also slightly more likely to report visiting grocery stores two times a week (29%, up from 27%), and less likely to shop once a week (35%, down from 37%).
When trying a new grocery product for the first time, shoppers are most influenced by price, with 78% saying they almost always look at cost before deciding to buy. Most (51%) also look at preservatives or additives in food before trying something new, up from 42% in 2009. More than four in 10 (44%) check the product’s brand name, and 43% check health claims, up from 39%. Least important are where the product was made (38%) and organic claims (28%).
The vast majority of shoppers (82%) have used social media to exchange information about food, including discussing new products, nutrition, and recipes. Nearly one in five (19%) use Facebook to do so, 6% use Twitter, and 2% YouTube, but 55% use other sites. [Consumer Spending & Attitudes, Food/Beverages]
Source: “2010 Consumer Panel Survey,” National Grocers Association, 1005 N. Glebe Rd., #250, Arlington, VA 22201; 703-516-0700; info@nationalgrocers.org; www.nationalgrocers.org. Price: Available online at no charge.
© Copyright 2011, EPM Communications, Inc. May not be reproduced without written consent of publisher.