What's Your Grocery Shopping Mindset?

amandajane · 01-04-2008, 09:13 PM

According to Scoop: Four Shopper ‘mind-sets’ in the supermarket

there are four shopper mind-sets in the supermarket:

Auto-pilot mode (grab and go)
Seeking variety mode, (seeking new tastes and formats)
‘Buzz’ mode (and open to engaging advertising)
On the hunt for a bargain (on the lookout for price discounts and promotions)

This is quite enlightening. Perhaps I need to check my habits!

I am by necessity driven by price discounts and promotions. I always block out the ‘buzz’ mode, the only thing that gets my attention is price, written in huge letters above or below a big display, which are generally on the end of the aisle.

Sometimes I am in autopilot, to an extent, but, I’m always looking at the two generic store brands and comparing those prices, so there is an overlap. I rarely shop in variety mode, unless I’m trying out a new recipe or fancy something that demands ingredients I’m not familiar with.

So there you go - sussed. What about you?

Will · 01-05-2008, 03:50 AM

I am a Buzz-Variety hybrid.

I love the sounds, the smells, and pageantry of the beautiful displays.

Left on my own, I can spend hours at a nice supermarket checking out new products and reading nutritional information. Maybe this means I need to get out more often....

soupkitchen96 · 01-05-2008, 04:32 AM

I think I'm on auto-pilot mode, but my sister said I'm just like Will.

Things have gotten worse now that they have so many Starbucks in supermarkets. My attension span is effectively zero after enough shots of caffeine.

Joanne · 01-05-2008, 07:47 AM

I think it depends on what I'm shopping for and who I'm shopping with. If I have my daughters with me (9 & 12), I take more time than normal because we look at new products and I often buy new-to-us fruits and veggies on their suggestion. But no matter who I'm with, I'm always a woman with a mission - the mission being to save as much money as possible.

Gootsy · 01-05-2008, 03:30 PM

I'm usually autopilot mode, but also looking out for the occasional bargain.

Stick to roughly the same small set of purchases each week, making sure I buy as few processed items as possible. Generally it's cheaper, and healthier.

lucille · 01-05-2008, 06:07 PM

I'm in fill the list and get out mode. I dislike our local grocery store chain for many reasons so I don't find grocery shopping pleasant anymore. I read the flyers online, make my list and shop like it is some sort of mission behind enemy lines. On the upside I don't make many impulse purchases.

If I get to go to the city and shop Trader Joes, Whole Foods and the gourmet stores it is a totally different mode. I am usually looking for something new, interesting or that I can't get at home.

Tamara · 01-05-2008, 07:17 PM

I am a bargain hunter. i have to use my coupons, look for the bargains, or let it go. The local grocery store in our area has been discounting basic items by 1/2 price several times per week and it has really helped our family out!

amandajane · 01-05-2008, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucille

I... I read the flyers online, make my list and shop like it is some sort of mission behind enemy lines. On the upside I don't make many impulse purchases.

lol, that's a great analogy, it is like being behind enemy lines :0)

Great posts!

Rebecca · 01-06-2008, 06:13 AM

I am a bargain hunter and I always have to really think about the "specials" to see if they really are a deal. But I'm also a speed shopper. Get in and get me out of there before I spend any more money than I should. I only recently started using a list. But I have a hard time sticking to it.

FruWiki Meg · 02-01-2009, 10:33 AM

I'm a bit of a seeker -- or maybe a browser would be a better word. I have a few things that I tend to buy every time if they look good, but mostly I go in thinking broad categories like "fruit, vegetables, meat, etc." and just see what looks good and is priced right. I enjoy trying new things, but I have to be careful not to go overboard or else a lot of it turns to waste when I decide that I don't like something that much or just don't get around to eating it.

What helps keep my browsing under control is that I usually stick to the outskirts of the store and spend most of my time in the fresh produce section. My husband handles getting any meat, though I might grab some cheese.

01-04-2008, 09:13 PM	#1
amandajane Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 490 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (287)	What's Your Grocery Shopping Mindset? According to Scoop: Four Shopper ‘mind-sets’ in the supermarket there are four shopper mind-sets in the supermarket: Auto-pilot mode (grab and go) Seeking variety mode, (seeking new tastes and formats) ‘Buzz’ mode (and open to engaging advertising) On the hunt for a bargain (on the lookout for price discounts and promotions) This is quite enlightening. Perhaps I need to check my habits! I am by necessity driven by price discounts and promotions. I always block out the ‘buzz’ mode, the only thing that gets my attention is price, written in huge letters above or below a big display, which are generally on the end of the aisle. Sometimes I am in autopilot, to an extent, but, I’m always looking at the two generic store brands and comparing those prices, so there is an overlap. I rarely shop in variety mode, unless I’m trying out a new recipe or fancy something that demands ingredients I’m not familiar with. So there you go - sussed. What about you?

01-05-2008, 07:47 AM	#4
Joanne Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Originally from New York City, now in Florida since 2002. Posts: 131 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (43)	I think it depends on what I'm shopping for and who I'm shopping with. If I have my daughters with me (9 & 12), I take more time than normal because we look at new products and I often buy new-to-us fruits and veggies on their suggestion. But no matter who I'm with, I'm always a woman with a mission - the mission being to save as much money as possible. __________________ My Myspace Page Forever Parents Adoption Shop

01-05-2008, 07:17 PM	#7
Tamara Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (10)	What's your grocery shopping mindset? I am a bargain hunter. i have to use my coupons, look for the bargains, or let it go. The local grocery store in our area has been discounting basic items by 1/2 price several times per week and it has really helped our family out!

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01-05-2008, 03:50 AM	#2
Will Administrator Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 381 Thanks: 2 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Reputation: (23)	I am a Buzz-Variety hybrid. I love the sounds, the smells, and pageantry of the beautiful displays. Left on my own, I can spend hours at a nice supermarket checking out new products and reading nutritional information. Maybe this means I need to get out more often....

01-05-2008, 04:32 AM	#3
soupkitchen96 Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 51 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (11)	I think I'm on auto-pilot mode, but my sister said I'm just like Will. Things have gotten worse now that they have so many Starbucks in supermarkets. My attension span is effectively zero after enough shots of caffeine.

01-05-2008, 03:30 PM	#5
Gootsy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 281 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (24)	I'm usually autopilot mode, but also looking out for the occasional bargain. Stick to roughly the same small set of purchases each week, making sure I buy as few processed items as possible. Generally it's cheaper, and healthier.

01-05-2008, 06:07 PM	#6
lucille Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 673 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Reputation: (38)	I'm in fill the list and get out mode. I dislike our local grocery store chain for many reasons so I don't find grocery shopping pleasant anymore. I read the flyers online, make my list and shop like it is some sort of mission behind enemy lines. On the upside I don't make many impulse purchases. If I get to go to the city and shop Trader Joes, Whole Foods and the gourmet stores it is a totally different mode. I am usually looking for something new, interesting or that I can't get at home.

01-06-2008, 06:13 AM	#9
Rebecca Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 96 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (32)	I am a bargain hunter and I always have to really think about the "specials" to see if they really are a deal. But I'm also a speed shopper. Get in and get me out of there before I spend any more money than I should. I only recently started using a list. But I have a hard time sticking to it.

02-01-2009, 10:33 AM	#10
FruWiki Meg Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 64 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Reputation: (11)	I'm a bit of a seeker -- or maybe a browser would be a better word. I have a few things that I tend to buy every time if they look good, but mostly I go in thinking broad categories like "fruit, vegetables, meat, etc." and just see what looks good and is priced right. I enjoy trying new things, but I have to be careful not to go overboard or else a lot of it turns to waste when I decide that I don't like something that much or just don't get around to eating it. What helps keep my browsing under control is that I usually stick to the outskirts of the store and spend most of my time in the fresh produce section. My husband handles getting any meat, though I might grab some cheese.