CONSUMER SURVEY

UK SUPERMARKET SHOPPERS SHIFT ALLEGIANCE FOR LIFE’S LITTLE LUXURIES

A survey conducted by vouchercloud.com reveals nearly two thirds of us who use upmarket stores such as Marks and Spencer, Waitrose, Booths and Whole Foods Market top up their weekly shop at budget supermarkets.
Findings show we’re stocking up on every day essentials such as canned goods, fruit vegetables and toiletries at upmarket stores then heading to budget supermarkets for the premium ‘can’t live without’ goods such as wine and champagne.
Of the 2000 surveyed 64% admitted to using budget supermarkets as well as upmarket stores. And of those who use upmarket and budget supermarkets at least once a month, more than two thirds (68%) use budget supermarkets more often than they did a year ago.
Greg Le Tocq, MD, vouchercloud said: “We may have less money in our pockets these days but this survey shows we won’t go without life’s little luxuries. This is also evident when you look at the most common searches on vouchercloud.com. Restaurant and dining out deals are consistently in the top five. Consumers are shopping smarter not harder to ensure they don’t go without the finer things.”
Looking at the results region by region, Marks and Spencer come out top in the upmarket stakes with between 59% (Wales) and 86% (Scotland) choosing to shop at the high street favourite, with Waitrose coming a close second. When asked which budget supermarkets they favoured, Aldi takes this crown with 53% (East and West Midlands) choosing to shop here weekly, followed by Lidl.
69% of respondents also said they use budget supermarkets more often than one year ago.
The sample for the survey included 2000 people between the ages of 16 and 80 from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The survey was carried out in February 2013 by Consumer Analysis Limited. A full breakdown of results is available upon request.
ENDS

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mel

No.



I dont see why. Beans, mayo, apples, loo roll etc., all much cheaper in Tesco, Morrisons, why pay more for the same brand/product in Waitrose? I go to Waitrose to seek the premium products, olives, fresh fish, wines I cant get elsewhere for less etc.

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Yep, Im still here.

I totally agree with GK,

Findings show we’re stocking up on every day essentials such as canned goods, fruit vegetables and toiletries at upmarket stores then heading to budget supermarkets for the premium ‘can’t live without’ goods such as wine and champagne.... Nonsense ! How can a wise buyer stock-up on fresh fruit and vegetables ? Without waste, or buying bulk tasteless unripe fruit !

The interpretation of this survey is contrary to what is actualy happening in the stores. Consumers with spending power are seeking value for money.

Canned products on the same label, are the same product ! So smart shoppers buy them at the cheapest outlet, Same with toiletries, loo paper, tooth paste, shower gel; consumers know the brand they want, so they buy them at the cheapest supermarket or Boots for that sort of merchandise. Branded goods are the same ! They don't differ, they have a long shelf life, so consumers always buy multipack.

For fresh produce, the consumer buys where they believe the best flavour and freshness may be found. For quality wines, the purchase is far more likely to be where the reputation of the retailer is known to be good value. Quality to price ratio is key. The big meat eaters that I know, shop at the local Butchers. They shop for flavour, and on reputation.

That survey appears to be 'Arse about Face' for discerning shoppers. Shoppers differentiate for non branded products. That means they may go upmarket to find them.

There is regional variation of course, if you live near the coast you go to a fish monger. If you live in deepest Wales, you go to the farmers market for Lamb. When I lived in Lincolnshire, I'd go to the market for Cauliflower, Spring greens, potatoes and tomatoes.

I've never heard of voucher cloud, their MD has squewed the conclusion. I'm being very polite.

In a long recession, the middle classes spend their spare income on little luxuries, because they can't, or they choose not to afford expensive holidays, new cars, or capital projects in their homes, at that point in time. The results for M&S Food halls and Sainsbury's up by 6% prove the point.

Morrisons and Tesco on the other hand, have filed lack lustre results. John Lewis is having a great year, and last year paid out record bonuses to partners ... yes, all their employees.

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Duncan

Not Vouchercloud but the mighty Groupon. I hope they go bust. I hate their business model. Offer discounts that may or may not be genuine and in some cases will just be leads to nasty high pressuer selling on products/events that few peope gave a toss about until they saw the discount voucher.

Husband

Shall we stay in tonight and have wine, a takeaway and sex

Wife

No. i've got us 43% off a fish oil massage

Husband

What's a fish oil massage ?

Wife

No idea

Husband

43% off what ?

Wife

The full price

Husband

And what is the full price

Wife

No idea

Husband

Are you doullaly ?

Wife

Yes,

Yeah, much more accurate, and a whole lot funnier than my long winded take on that d*ck he*d survey from voucher what'sit

Cloud computing
Watergate
Vouchergate

Duh !

Cheers G

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Duncan

Amazon Local are just as bad, you have to be very careful with these 'amazing offers'.

For example, how do you read this promotion...



I received this recently, thought it was a good deal, can take my daughter and a few of her friends, plus a friend and his son & daughter. There is a local site. Called to enquire about booking before I purchased the voucher.

It turns out its not '400 paintballs for ten people', its 400 paintballs for the organiser if he brings nine other people along who then have to pay through the nose to buy paintballs on site- £7 per 100.

I pointed out how missleading the offer was, they couldnt give a stuff.

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Yep, Im still here.

Am I correct in thinking that if, therefore, you buy 400 splats for each of the others, the bill is £250 ???

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Four wheels move the body - 2 wheels move the soul.

Precisely.

Or, they could purchase only 100 paintballs and either-

1- Preserve their ammo, firing only when absolutely necessary and try to stretch out the day
2- Fire at will, have some fun and go home after an hour.

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Yep, Im still here.

Phew!

Perhaps the ultimate paintball sniper scenario would be better. Carefully conceal oneself for 2 or 3 days then one single perfect kill-shot. Yours for only 7 pence each...

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Four wheels move the body - 2 wheels move the soul.