90% of Shoppers Concerned About Food Accessibility, FMI's 2022 Grocery Shopper Trends Report Finds

The habits of grocery shoppers have shifted dramatically in the past year as rising food prices continue to impact their spending. And with families returning to the back-to-school routine, 90% of shoppers are concerned about some aspect of food accessibility, with 61% worried about rising prices specifically, according to FMI–The Food Industry Association’s fifth edition of the 2022 U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends report.

In its latest report U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends 2022: Back To School, FMI, which has tracked grocery shopping habits of U.S. customers for the past four decades, takes a closer look at how shoppers’ plans and habits have evolved as families return to the back-to-school routine. On a high note, despite this inflationary environment, 86% of shoppers feel they have at least some degree of control over their finances, particularly when it comes to their grocery budgets, FMI reported.

"Despite this inflationary environment, shoppers continue to feel they have some control over their food spending," FMI reported. "This is likely to change if inflation persists, so helping shoppers retain their feeling of control and helping them manage their spending now will position retailers better in the future."

“Our research substantiates that the food industry offers safe, healthy, quality foods, such as store brand products, at affordable price points and provides shoppers other helpful resources to stretch their grocery budgets, helping meet their household’s specific food needs,” said Leslie Sarasin, president and CEO of FMI, in a statement.

When it comes to rising prices across shoppers’ household budget’s, FMI’s survey of 1,490 U.S. adults conducted August 1-8 found that 64% of households with children are particularly concerned about rising prices on school supplies.

Overall, 66% of shoppers are extremely concerned with rising prices in at least one category. Two-thirds of shoppers say they’re spending more on groceries than a year ago, up from 59% in February.

When asked how much they spend on groceries in a typical week, shoppers in August reported somewhat lower budgets on average ($136) than those in February, FMI reported. Seasonal shifts and shoppers tightening their belts as food prices soar were some of the contributing factors, FMI found in its latest report. 

Looking for ways to save during these inflationary times, 49% of shoppers are looking for deals and 41% are buying more store brands as food prices climb, FMI reported.

And when it comes to wallet savings, consumers are finding ways to save, whether it’s in-store or online. When it comes to in store shopping , 61% say they can make adjustments at the shelf, FMI reported. When grocery shopping online, 64% of shoppers report they can better monitor basket size, FMI reported.

FMI's U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends 2022 series releases six analyses throughout the year, each with a unique theme.