Study: Consumers cut back on shopping

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. As the U.S. economy continues to suffer, it comes as no surprise that consumers are making fewer shopping trips across most retail outlets. According to new research by Nielsen, annual shopping trips dropped to 164 per household in 2007 from 170 in 2006.

Not surprisingly, however, is the fact the annual shopping trips to supercenters went up to 27 trips per household in 2007 from 26 trips in 2006.

“Value and convenience are more important than ever as rising gas prices impact where and how often consumers shop,” said Todd Hale, senior vp of consumer and sopper insights for Nielsen Consumer Panel Services. “Long-term trends show us that all value retailers - - supercenters, warehouse clubs and dollar stores - - are gaining in their quest to grab shoppers. Keep in mind, however, that some U.S. grocers reported stronger same-store-sales growth than supercenters or dollar stores in 2007. Proximity to shoppers and a healthy focus on convenience and value helped many of these grocers deliver solid results.” 

In keeping with consumers' growing need for value and convenience, store count in supercenters, warehouse clubs, dollar stores and convenience stores ins on the rise. The U.S. store count for supercenters was 1,583 in 2001 and 3,038 in 2007. For the same seven-year period, the store count for warehouse clubs grew from 907 to 1,152. The store count for dollar stores was 13,151 in 2001 and 19,624 in 2007. Convenience stores saw store count go from 124,516 in 2001 to 146,294 in 2007.