September 24/Armonk, N.Y./PRNewswire-FirstCall -- A new IBM study reveals that despite tough economic times, Americans at all income levels are refusing to sacrifice quality, value and nutrition to save money on food and health & beauty purchases. The current economy has, however, led U.S. shoppers to take a closer look at the brands they typically purchase, the stores they frequent and even their preferred packaging to find new ways to save money. Americans surveyed confirmed this new in-store spending strategy will stick beyond the recession.

Results of the IBM survey were based on telephone interviews with 4,000 U.S. residents across all income levels, from those earning under $20K to $100K+. The survey found that 72% of respondents are more concerned with quality than price during their trip down the grocery aisle, and that behavior is not likely to change: nine out of 10 say value and nutrition will be of equal or greater importance when the recession ends.

Consumers Shop Around for Deals to Preserve Spending on Quality and Nutrition
The survey reveals that Americans have become flexible about where to shop and what brands to buy, but consumers continue to place a premium on nutrition and are reluctant to go without items such as meat, poultry or coffee in order to economize:
* 68% say nutrition is the most important consideration when food shopping
* 49% are shopping at more stores to get the best deal
* 35% have changed grocery stores to save money
* 52% of consumers are reducing the volume of food they purchase from the grocery store
* 34% are choosing less expensive brands for health and personal care supplies rather than sacrificing these products
* 45% of those making less than $20K want foods that keep them full longer

Meat, poultry, and coffee top the list of the one item shoppers do not want to give up, but they are willing to cut spending on prepared food, individual-sized beverages and clothing

Consumers Splurge on Different Products from Convenience to Organic
When asked how they would spend an extra $10, shoppers at varying incomes revealed the following priorities:
* 13% of individuals making less than $45K will purchase more convenient versions of foods they already buy, such as pre-cut vegetables, compared to only 9% of those with a higher income
* 19% of higher-income levels ($45,000+) are likely to spend their $10 on more natural or organic versions of the items on their shopping list
* 51% of consumers would most likely purchase more of the items on their shopping list or buy the products in bulk packages
* 20% of consumers would use their $10 to splurge on an item not on their list

Across all segments, the top splurge item are dessert foods.

Shopping Behavior Won't Change When Recession Ends
Respondents vow that their new shopping priorities won't change when the recession ends.
* 60% of consumers will continue to shop around for the best deal
* 92% of consumers indicate that value will be of equal or greater importance in food shopping
* 90% of consumers indicate that nutrition will be of equal or greater importance in food shopping

"Consumers are reducing spending in certain store aisles but maintaining or even increasing spending in others as they put a lot more thought into the brands they purchase and the type of products they need," said Guy Blissett, consumer products leader for IBM Institute for Business Value. "These results highlight how important it is for Consumer Products companies to deliver products and services with the right combination of benefits to meet the specific needs of consumers at each income level."

From the September 28, 2009, Prepared Foods E-dition