How will consumers react this holiday season to the current economic situation?
Shoppers and Trends
November 23, 2008
This year's economic woes have surely caused some shifts in shoppers' attitudes as they prepare for the holidays and look for ways to save money. In last month's quick poll, we asked our readers how they expect consumers to react this holiday season to the current economic situation. Here's what we found:
Thirty-one percent said that they expect consumers to "entertain less" this year, and another 31% said they expect consumers to "cook more from scratch." Along those same lines, 19% feel that shoppers will "buy fewer prepared foods," and 11% will "buy in bulk." The remaining eight percent expect consumers to "entertain more."
If the statistics are true, retailers may find opportunity in promoting fresh ingredients, comfort foods, and offering time and money saving alternatives for desserts made from scratch. If more shoppers intend on doing less entertaining this year, perhaps the focus will be more on preparing traditional meals for the family.
