Shop Talk

More U.S. consumers are buying organic products this year than last, but costs are still keeping some shoppers from buying even more, a new survey said.
 
The survey by consulting firm WSL Strategic Retail showed that 55 percent of consumers said they buy organic foods, up from 49 percent a year ago.
 
About half of those surveyed (49 percent) said they would like to buy more organics, but are not willing to pay more.
 
While the economy might be part of the reason, 30 percent of shoppers do not really understand what organic products are and 38 percent don’t trust that the products are “truly organic.”
 
Younger people are more likely to think that organics are worth the cost. A total of 41 percent of shoppers under age 41 think they are worth the cost, versus only 25 percent of shoppers age 55 or over.
 
Overall, purchases of organic products is a bit higher among Hispanic shoppers compared to Caucasians and African Americans.
 
The survey was conducted in January and included 1,500 people.

(Photo: Reuters)