FDBusiness.com

Latest research from the National Consumer Agency on grocery shopping habits in Ireland shows that consumers are spreading their shopping across a number of stores and are buying more own-brand products across a range of sectors. Indeed, there are some grocery categories where there have been big shifts towards own-brands, such as soft drinks, fruit juice, biscuits, baby products, cereal and tea and coffee.

According to the National Consumer Agency, 89% of shoppers describe themselves as shopping more wisely. They now shop in less expensive stores and across a number of different stores. Many consumers have moved away from branded goods to the shop’s own-brand products, with over half of shoppers more likely to buy own-brand products compared to a year ago.  Consumers believe that own-brand goods have improved in quality and that they can make savings. Over 80% of shoppers said that they were not buying products of lower quality.

The research shows that 72% of women say they are mainly responsible for grocery shopping. More than half of men said they had no responsibility at all for grocery shopping.

Two-thirds of shoppers chose a shop because of the prices or offers available. People aged between 35 and 49 are even more likely to do this, with 77% choosing a specific shop on this basis. Those aged 65 years of age and older were the least likely to choose a shop because of prices or special offers.