MOOSEJAWTODAY.COM — Grocers like to know the shopping habits and attitudes of their customers, especially in these inflationary times.
The Canadian Grocer’s annual survey of shopping behaviours and attitudes indicates three-quarters of shoppers have changed their habits with inflation.
Shoppers averaged $114 per visit, up from $109 last year - a four per cent increase.
Half of them buy items with reduced prices while 44 per cent make fewer impulse buys and 37 per cent buy fewer groceries.
Almost one-third shop more often at discount stores.
Only 18 per cent have not changed their shopping behaviours at all.
Shopping at specialty fruit and meat stores has increased with 15 per cent going there, up 11 points from last year.
Top four places for shopping are super-centres by 23 per cent; drug stores, 27 per cent; dollar stores, 25 per cent; and clubs, 18 per cent.
Some shoppers buy luxuries more often.
Fifty-one per cent are buying confectionery items, up from 31 per cent in 2023. Frozen foods are in 63 per cent of shopping carts, up from 58 per cent.
Forty-two per cent buy prepared food, up from 34 per cent.
Within the shopping cart, fresh produce declined three per cent to 83 per cent while dairy fell four per cent to 82 per cent.
Coffee declined nine points to 50 per cent.
Over the counter medications dropped four points to 32 per cent, perhaps reflecting the mild winter.
Purchase of prepared foods was up three points to 66 per cent. Pizza, fried chicken, rotisserie chicken and sushi were the most popular.
Purchase of cooking oil and butter is down four points to 64 per cent.
Almost three-quarters do not want any extra items offered in stores but 29 per cent wanted extras, most notable booze, pharmacy, or in-store cafes.
Price and reduced sales prices are the strongest factors in making a purchase decision.
Shoppers identifying as health conscious dropped to 68 per cent from 73 per cent with Quebecers the most health conscious.
Two-thirds of shoppers come with a list but only one in five sticks to the list. Twenty-two per cent just wing it when shopping for groceries.
Brick and mortar stores will be sticking around.
Ninety-seven per cent of the 1,000 survey respondents shopped in stores within the last month, up one point from last year.
Delivery and in-store pickup each gained four per cent to 17 and 14 per cent respectively.
Almost half read a flyer before shopping.
Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
