Consumers are increasingly seeking value for money when purchasing goods, according to a new survey which finds that shoppers intend to buy more locally-produced products in the coming year.
The Holistic Shopper Research study shows that last year consumers made more shopping trips each week and spread their business across a number of different retailers.
It also reveals that shoppers spent more time in individual stores, but spent less on goods than they did in previous years.
Shopping around has paid dividends with the average shopper reducing their grocery bill by more than ten per cent.
The research, which was conducted by Behaviour and Attitudes on behalf of the retail body Efficient Consumer Response (ECR) in October and November 2009, indicates that people are spending more time at home as financial pressures mount. This has led to an increase in bulk buying trips and in bigger purchases of fresh foods.
A quarter of consumers’ grocery shopped in the North during the past 12 months with non-food items representing the greatest attraction.
According to the study, 42 per cent of consumers intend to purchase more Guaranteed Irish goods in the next 12 months. In addition, 36 per cent of shoppers said they plan to buy less convenience food this year.
“This research has confirmed that, while people have been deeply affected by the recession, they are by no means down and out,” said Ian McShane, managing director of Behaviour and Attitudes.
“Shoppers have been busy seeking out greater value for money, whether by way of visiting more retail outlets than ever before in a typical week, or availing of a myriad of in-store offers and special promotions,” he added.
ECR is an industry backed body which includes some of the largest .retailers in the country including Tesco Ireland, Nestle, Diageo, Glanbia and BWG Foods.
