November 3, 2009
US poultry sales hold ground despite recession
Even with the recession, US fresh meat and poultry sales at retail are holding their ground well and are showing some positive signs, according to new research.
The new research was based on a survey of 500 US shoppers in Jan-Sep 2009 and FreshLook Marketing sales data.
About two-thirds of consumers surveyed said their shopping partners have changed in some ways due to the economic downturn, as they look for more items on sales and cheaper items and prices. The leading response was that shoppers were looking for value.
In September, two percent of respondents bought less meat and poultry because of the recession, down from five percent in January, indicating stabilisation in shopping patterns.
The sales data showed a 12.3-percent year-on-year increase in total pounds of fresh meat and poultry purchased in the third quarter of 2009, thanks to summer grilling.
Competitive prices have benefitted chicken meat at the retail level. Consumers were also observed to be moving back to conventional retailers to buy meat and poultry, although mass merchandisers are also doing well as a secondary option for meat and poultry purchases.
