Leading Super Stores Witness New Consumer Trends

Major retailers, Wal-Mart and Krogers, are making note of changing consumer spending habits. Both retailers have announced consumers are shifting their buying focus as the country settles into a long term recession. Kroger consumers are paying more attention to store-brand items versus name brand.

In response to the increasing sales of “Kroger” label items, the store is expanding it’s line of store-brand food items. Top of the list is the increasing demand for frozen entrees and quick prep meals. Both Krogers and Wal-Mart have witnessed an increasing shift in the consumer demand for long-term storage food items. Consumers are dinning out less and cooking at home more.

Wal-Mart executives have also witnessed a jump in sales for self-medication items. Pharmaceutical sales have not increased dramatically, instead over the counter and basic first aid medicine are a way consumers can “self-medicate” to save a buck on health care.

Increase in demand for frozen and canned items allows retailers like Wal-mart and Krogers to safely expand their store-brand items to take advantage of changing consumer demands. If consumers are buying the basic items to fill their kitchen, how are fashion retailer’s noticing a change in product demand. Will consumers extend their “safety buys to spend less on trendy items, and more on classic items in basic colors to get more bang for the buck?