Grocery shoppers switching stores to find discounts and deals: report
Many Canadians are swapping their go-to grocery store in search of lower prices, according to a new survey.
- Sign up now for our daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
Dalhousie’s Agri Food Analytics Lab released a report this week that found nearly two-thirds of grocery customers have swapped stores in favour of cheaper options. Once they're inside shopping, the report found that nearly 60 per cent of customers consistently seek out discounted food products, with clearance items or those approaching their best before date at the top of their shopping lists.
The numbers come as many Canadians continue to struggle with the high price of groceries. A new Leger survey has found that 64 per cent of Canadians think that the rate of inflation at the grocery store is worsening.
When shopping for a family, every dollar counts.
"Yeah, definitely. We're looking for deals," said shopper Sam Norwood, while loading up groceries at a No Frills store in Stittsville.
He says his family spend on groceries is about $300 per week and he goes to where the savings are.
"It used to be, you just go to one store. But now, we definitely shop around." Norwood said.
Sylvain Charlebois, a Canadian researcher and professor in food distribution and policy at Dalhousie University, said he was shocked by the results.
"Over 60 per cent of Canadians have actually switched stores, their primary store, because there weren't enough discounts. That's a lot," he said.
"So it means that really people are walking away from grocers who aren't necessarily offering discounts. Clearly consumers are expecting as an incentive.
Loblaw recently scrapped a 50 per cent discount for old or items at or nearing their best before date at its stores, but reversed the policy only days later after public backlash. This all comes as Loblaw shared its fourth quarter earnings this week, which increased 3.7 per cent, or $524 million, to $14.5 billion, from the same period last year.
The stores run under Loblaw, which include the Real Canadian Superstore and No Frills, are the top destination for discounted food, the survey found. It was followed by Walmart, Costco, Metro/Foodbasics and Giant Tiger.
"I love Giant Tiger," said Joni Sabourin, who was shopping at the GT location in Stittsville.
"Stuff that I can't get at the regular store, like chicken and that. So I buy canned goods, eggs, milk, cream because it's way better priced here."
With files from CTVNews.ca
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.