The OPMA is partnering with Numerator, a data and tech company reinventing the market research industry with first-party, consumer-sourced data to provide quarterly consumer insights and trends in Ontario shopper behaviour by retail channel and category. Here are some key research findings from the January to April 2023 Ontario Produce Shopper Snapshot:

·       25% of Canadian Consumers rate their economic concern as 10/10 and 65% of Canadian consumers have indicated rising prices on essential goods & services are their top concern regarding the economy.

·       67% of Canadian shoppers say rising gas prices are impacting their ability to afford other things.

·       In Q1 2023, the average Ontario household made 24.2 trips for produce and spent $284 on produce.

·       The number of households buying produce in the discount grocery channel increased by 0.7 PT, and shoppers are buying produce in Discount Grocery more frequently. However, spend per trip for produce in Discount Grocery decreased by 1.7%.

·       3% fewer households bought fresh cucumbers in Q1 2023 vs Q1 YAGO. However, those who did purchase spent 12% more on fresh cucumbers.

·       7% more households purchased fresh blackberries in Q1 2023 vs Q1 YAGO. Those who purchased spent 14% more on fresh blackberries.

·       10% few households purchased fresh celery in Q1 2023 vs Q1 YAGO. However, those how purchased spent 29% more on fresh celery per trip.

·       63% of Canadian consumers expect the economy will worsen in the next few months and 74% of Canadian consumers think inflation will increase in the next few months.

For the full report, link here: https://bit.ly/3NvlzIk

Source:  Ontario Produce Marketing Association May 1, 2023 news release