Half of Australians are cutting back on purchasing snacks or indulgences and are now treating them as luxury items, according to new research.
Data from a NielsenIQ survey of more than 5,000 Australians found that almost three in five of us were likely to avoid purchasing snacks and treats like chocolates, desserts and premium nuts, in order to cope with rising supermarket prices.
The survey, released on Thursday, found the average weekly grocery spend was only up $1.20 since last year, to around $200 — indicating shoppers have been cutting back in certain areas to make their money go further.
Those aged over 45 and on low incomes are cutting back on snacks and indulgences the most, according to the data.
Sarah Connelly is the director of Product of the Year, which commissioned the NielsenIQ survey.
She says its findings show Australians’ shopping patterns “have shifted considerably” during the cost-of-living crisis.
Clare Collins AO is a laureate professor in nutrition and dietetics at the University of Newcastle.
She says people often forget to budget for treats which they don’t buy at the supermarket, and may need to reassess what they are purchasing when buying groceries.
While around half of shoppers are likely to avoid snacks and indulgences, many are using other tactics to keep their grocery bills in check.
When he travels more than 100 kilometres to do his shopping, he says he’s opting for cheaper cuts of meat, and switching to cheaper brands.
“I used to eat steak, but I can’t have steak no more,” he says.
(ABC)
