Shoppers changing with the economy

from the NSGA enewsletter and TNS Retail Forward(9/3):

Shoppers Shift Shopping Patterns, Discount and Value Retailers Benefit, TNS Retail Forward Reports

"COLUMBUS, Sept. 2, 2008—Shoppers have shifted their shopping patterns as gasoline and food continue to grab a larger share of wallet. In American ShopperScape™ 2008, TNS Retail Forward reports that shoppers are trading down to save money and seeking one-stop shopping venues and stores closer to home to save time and gasoline. Discount and value retailers are benefiting from an influx of cost-conscious shoppers at the expense of conventional and high-end retailers. And, store brands are benefiting at the expense of national brands.

American ShopperScape™ 2008 analyzes the shopping behaviors of the thousands of consumers TNS Retail Forward studies as part of the company’s ongoing tracking survey.

“Shoppers’ strategies of spending less and migrating to lower-priced retailers are capable of shaking the retail landscape and creating seismic shifts,” comments Mandy Putnam, Vice President with TNS Retail Forward and author of American ShopperScape™ 2008. “As a result of shopper migration, retailers’ customer profiles are shifting. Some are shifting not just because they are gaining customers who are trading down, but because they are losing customers who are turning to even more value-oriented channels,” she adds. “Whether new patrons permanently adopt these retailers depends on how well retailers address the needs of their new customers and how well new patrons acclimate to shopping in less-familiar territory.”" ...

for the complete press release including tables