Fresh Trends survey weighs packaging preference
More consumers prefer to buy bulk produce over packaged produce, according to new data from The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2020 survey.
More than 1,280 consumers were asked about their packaging preference for fresh produce, and both the convenience of packaging and the urge to avoid unnecessary packaging were evident in consumer responses.
Asked the question “How much does packaging factor into your purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables?” responses were:
- I almost always buy bulk to avoid unnecessary packaging: 31%;
- I think about it some, and buy in bulk when I can: 47%; and
- I prefer the convenience of packaged produce: 22%.
Demographic variables
The demographic variation in the responses showed that 37% of consumers with household earnings of more than $100,000 per year said they almost always buy bulk produce, compared with 27% of consumers making less than $25,000, according to Fresh Trends.
For consumers with incomes below $25,000, Fresh Trends data show 26% preferred the convenience of packaged produce, compared with just 19% of those making more than $100,000.
By gender, Fresh Trends showed that 35% of men prefer to buy bulk when possible, compared to 27% of women who preferred to buy bulk.
On the other hand, 24% of women said they prefer the convenience of packaged produce, compared with 21% of men.
Fresh Trends research showed that 40% of consumers 18-39 said they mostly buy bulk produce, compared with just 21% for those 50-58 and 26% for those above 59.
Conversely, the research showed that just 13% of consumers 18-39 said they prefer the convenience of packaged produce, compared with 31% of those 50-58 and 27% of those over 59.
By ethnic background, 42% of black/African American consumers said they almost always buy bulk produce, well above 28% for white/Caucasian shoppers and 33% for Hispanics and Asians.
Twenty-four percent of white/Caucasian shoppers prefer the convenience of packaged produce, according to Fresh Trends, compared with 21% for black/African American shoppers, 14% for Hispanics and 22% for Asians.
Find more Fresh Trends Data here.
