Shop Talk

Check out consumers’ discipline when shopping for groceries.

Most U.S. households have already made the majority of their purchasing decisions before they even enter a grocery store, and rarely buy on impulse, said market research firm NPD Group.

According to a new NPD report, 94 percent of households prepare a written shopping list before they go shopping, and 72 percent of shoppers never, or only occasionally, buy items not on the list.

“For food and beverage manufacturers and retailers, it’s all about getting on the list,” said Ann Hanson, executive director of product development for NPD and author of the report.

“With so many purchasing decisions being made at home where meals are being planned and shopping lists assembled, it’s important to focus on the consumer at home before they leave for the store.”

NPD said most U.S. consumers eat dinner at home, and that most households plan these meals in advance.

As for purchasing items not on the list, only about one in four grocery shoppers are impulse-driven while grocery shopping, the report found. The top reasons for impulse purchases, it said, were “saw it on promotion,” “saw it in the store and remembered it was needed,” and “it looked like a good meal or snack solution”.

What about the latest news on Brangelina or Lindsay Lohan? Or do consumers put tabloids on their shopping lists?

Do you make shopping lists? Do you stick to them?

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(Photo: Reuters)