<p style="text-indent:0px; line-height:12px;"><span style="font-weight:bold;line-height:130%"> Chicago, IL</span><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">By ANUK Staff<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">3.13.13</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>U.S. consumers are putting more greens on their plates, even if it means paying more or making product trade-offs to be healthier and eat well, according to Nielsen Perishables Group.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><img src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacyWriterImages/freshfoods031213.jpg" alt="images031213" /><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Higher prices at grocery retailers have forced customers to budget their shopping trips, but prices in this sector have increased less than restaurant foods (1.3% vs. 2.5%) driving consumers to dine in, according to a press release.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">“Consumers are adjusting their shopping behavior to the relatively high prices, but they’re focused on meeting their demand for fresh foods and produce,” said Todd Hale, SVP, Consumer & Shopper Insights. “Specifically, given higher prices, reduced promotion support, they’re making trade-offs or buying less, especially in non-food grocery, dairy, fresh meat, dry grocery, general merchandise and frozen foods. Where are they buying more? Volume for fresh produce, health and beauty aids, and deli are all up on a year-over-year basis at the end of last year.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">In 2012, rising prices led to dollar volume growth in all segments of the perimeter except seafood and vegetables, where prices had fallen from a year ago. However, consumer demand beefed up sales in the deli prepared foods, seafood and fruit areas.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">While niche grocers are connecting with shoppers and their desire for value, fresh and healthy, mainstream grocers represent the overwhelming majority of the supermarket store count (89%). Although the grocery channel is the leader in fresh foods (accounting for two-thirds of the retail market), fresh is increasingly growing in non-grocery channels as retail channels respond to consumer demand for a greater availability and assortment of fresh products.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Retailers need to be aware that consumers want the option to choose fresh foods anywhere and they’re “fighting for the fresh share of wallet.”</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://www.perishablesgroup.com/dnn/" target="_new">Nielsen Perishables Group</a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
