Shopping for Food

The ritual of food shopping means different things to different people. There are those who whisk through the aisles, barely stopping to think about what?s going in their cart. There are those who drag their feet, behaving as if the very act of food shopping is, well, a drag. And there are those who meticulously read every label and squeeze every fruit, looking for the perfect deal or cantaloupe. And there are those who are all three depending upon what day you catch them on.

Whether you like grocery shopping or not, every one must agree that a trip to the supermarket at least once a week is inevitable. Here?s some food for thought to help you shop better, quicker, smarter or with just a bit more trivia in your head.

Choices: If you feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of choices at your market it?s because the choices are staggering. Seventy years ago grocery stores stocked about 900 items. Today, our large supermarkets carry about 45,000 items.

Gender: On any given day, about 18% of women shop for an average of 45 minutes, compared to 11% of men who averaged 39 minutes.

Spending: Households spend about 13% of pre-tax income on their food. Interestingly enough, the amount we spend on food is nor sensitive to economic fluctuations. Even in times of a recession, demand for food remains relatively stable.

Busiest Times: Right after work hours, Monday through Friday from 5 to 7 pm are the busiest times to shop, with weekend mornings a close second. Best times to shop are very early in the morning or on a popular TV night, so set your VCR to record and enjoy those shorter lines.

Savings: Most consumers save at the supermarket by looking for specials in their local newspapers, participating in in frequent shopper or savings club programs and using coupons. Buying the store brand is gaining in popularity.

Health: Seven in ten shoppers believe their diets are not as healthy as they should be. But there is a strong upswing in organic and natural food sales, as well as for portion control, showing that concern for ones health is affecting the market considerably. 22% are eating less red meat, 22% are eating fewer fats and oils, 18% are buying fewer snack or junk foods and 9% are eating less salt.

The best ways to shop are with a list, armed with plenty of coupons. Never go on an empty stomach. And don?t forget to look at the lower and topmost shelves. That?s where you?ll find the best deals.