Survey: 85% of global consumers worried about grocery prices
Consumers in the United States and abroad are concerned about ongoing high grocery prices in the face of inflation, supply chain challenges and looming tariffs.
A new survey from Blue Yonder, which polled consumers in North America, Europe, Australia and the Middle East, found that 85% of overall respondents are concerned about inflation’s impact on grocery prices.
Nearly half (49%) of all respondents believe newly introduced global tariffs are the leading factor behind inflated grocery prices, followed by increased costs for raw materials (42%), increased labor costs in manufacturing and food processing (39%), and increased profit margins for brands and manufacturers (33%).
[READ MORE: NRF: Tariff-related inflation 'expected to be felt' later this year]
Almost two-thirds of consumers (65%) worldwide report they would buy fewer grocery items across categories to cope with price increases, while 42% plan to shop at discount and wholesale stores to save money. Approximately one-third would prefer shopping based on promotions and discounts (36%), while many would switch to private label brands (34%).
Top categories consumers are willing to cut back on include consumer electronics (46%), streaming/gaming subscriptions (43%), personal care and beauty (36%), appliances (33%), alcohol (33%) and automotive purchases (28%).
Globally, consumers in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) are the most likely to reduce spending on clothing and footwear (67%), followed closely by the U.S. (62%), the U.K. (61%), France (49%), Germany (49%) and the Middle East (47%).
The next top category varied by country, with ANZ (60%) and U.K. (54%) consumers most likely to reduce spending on streaming and gaming subscriptions, followed by Germany (42%), the Middle East (40%) and France (39%) willing to reduce spending on consumer electronics. These two categories – subscriptions and consumer electronics – were tied for U.S. consumers (54%).
Blue Yonder’s survey found that only 7% of respondents said they were not willing to reduce their other retail spending to offset grocery costs. Generationally, baby boomers are most likely to scale back on clothing and footwear (63%), compared to Gen X (59%), Gen Z (53%) and millennials (50%).
“The findings of this survey underscore just how widespread and deeply felt the impact of inflation is on consumers’ everyday lives,” said Ben Wynkoop, senior director, global industry strategist, grocery & convenience, at Blue Yonder. “From buying fewer grocery items and cutting back on alcohol purchases to shopping at discount retailers and reprioritizing spending across other categories, consumers are navigating prolonged uncertainty – and retailers must adapt accordingly.”
The Blue Yonder 2025 Global Consumer Sentiment on Grocery Inflation Survey was fielded by a third-party provider in May 2025. Blue Yonder surveyed over 6,000 consumers across Australia and New Zealand, France, Germany, the Middle East, the U.K. and the U.S.
