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.