Shoppers Aren’t Saving as Much as They Could: Bumble Bee Survey
According to a recent survey commissioned by Bumble Bee Foods, while a significant majority of consumers are shelling out more or about the same on groceries as they were two years ago, only a relatively limited percentage of shoppers are taking full advantage of cost-saving opportunities beyond the usual approach of hunting out the best prices, special offers and/or coupons.
The opinion survey found that 81 percent of them are spending more or about the same on groceries as they did two years ago. Those same respondents said, however, that they’re also actively searching for ways to save on grocery bills, including shopping for best prices at several stores, and using coupons and other techniques to stretch the value of their spending.
Despite this desire to cut back on spending, however, just 50 percent of respondents said they used meal planning as a savings method. Meal planning can result in tighter budgeting, offer cost and time efficiencies around busy schedules, and ensure that groceries bought will be used up before ingredients spoil. Almost one-quarter of those surveyed said they throw away 10 percent or more of their grocery purchases as a result of spoilage. Only about 25 percent of respondents said they were using more canned protein foods, which boast longer shelf lives and are often more economical, than two years ago, with most using about the same amount or fewer.
The survey used a national probability sample of 1,001 adults (501 males and 500 females) age 18 and older, living in the continental United States. Interviews were carried out from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2, 2009, using a computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) system. Completed interviews were weighted by four variables: age, sex, geographic region, and race, to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the total over-18 population.
San Diego-based Bumble Bee Foods, LLC offers a full line of canned and pouched tuna, salmon, sardine, and specialty seafood products marketed in the United States under such brands as Bumble Bee, Brunswick, Snow’s and Beach Cliff.
The opinion survey found that 81 percent of them are spending more or about the same on groceries as they did two years ago. Those same respondents said, however, that they’re also actively searching for ways to save on grocery bills, including shopping for best prices at several stores, and using coupons and other techniques to stretch the value of their spending.
Despite this desire to cut back on spending, however, just 50 percent of respondents said they used meal planning as a savings method. Meal planning can result in tighter budgeting, offer cost and time efficiencies around busy schedules, and ensure that groceries bought will be used up before ingredients spoil. Almost one-quarter of those surveyed said they throw away 10 percent or more of their grocery purchases as a result of spoilage. Only about 25 percent of respondents said they were using more canned protein foods, which boast longer shelf lives and are often more economical, than two years ago, with most using about the same amount or fewer.
The survey used a national probability sample of 1,001 adults (501 males and 500 females) age 18 and older, living in the continental United States. Interviews were carried out from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2, 2009, using a computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) system. Completed interviews were weighted by four variables: age, sex, geographic region, and race, to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the total over-18 population.
San Diego-based Bumble Bee Foods, LLC offers a full line of canned and pouched tuna, salmon, sardine, and specialty seafood products marketed in the United States under such brands as Bumble Bee, Brunswick, Snow’s and Beach Cliff.