NEW YORK — Two-thirds of the 63% of shoppers who've changed their food buying habits as a result of economic conditions are purchasing private labels in categories where they used to only buy national brands, according to a Private Label Manufacturers Association poll conducted by GfK Custom Research North America.
The research titled "Store Brands & The Economy: Are Shoppers Ready to Start Spending Again?" found that shoppers are saving money in other ways, with 91% cutting back on money spent on restaurants, fast food and takeout; nearly nine in ten making lists to avoid impulse purchases; and 81% cutting back on items that come at a premium such as fish, meat, prepared meals and convenience products.
Despite frugal mindsets, shoppers are making health and wellness a priority with nutritional values topping their list of concerns. Eighty-two percent of those surveyed say calories and fat intake are important, followed by concern with sugar content (78%), salt content (73%), obesity (70%), diabetes (62%) and hypertension (60%).
