Grocery Shoppers 'Buying Less': Survey

Half of grocery shoppers have changed their habits since the start of the year, with more than a third saying they now buy less than at the start of the year.

However, what they do buy may well be cheaper.

A survey by the National Consumer Agency has confirmed large reductions in grocery prices over the past six months, as the recession bites and competition grows between retailers.

The biggest price reductions have been in the Tesco stores that have implemented a new pricing initiative.

But, the most expensive stores are the Tesco outlets where the 'Change for Good' programme has not been rolled out.

On branded goods, the survey finds that Dunnes Stores and Tesco are closely matched on prices, with only minor differences between them for a basket of 68 branded products.

SuperValu is also competing well in the border regions while Aldi and Lidl are close to each other on the price of their own brand products.

In fact, the title of 'cheapest retailer' can go to either chain, depending on what goods are in the basket, while Tesco is significantly narrowing the gap with Aldi and Lidl on own brand items.

(BMcC/JM)