For the third straight year, the organic buying power of American consumers has held steady, according to a new consumer poll by Shelton, CT-based marketing research and consulting company, TABS Group, Inc. TABS Group has frequently polled consumers about their organic purchases since 2008, and the results mimic other organic consumer agencies and advocacy groups, noting that U.S. consumers have continued to purchase organics in the 38-39% range during the last year, a percentage that roughly matched the prior two years.
This year, the TABS Group poll added organic chicken and organic red meat to their survey, although, adding these items didn't significantly pump up the poll. Purchase rates for organic chicken and red meat were just 13.4% and 6.4%, respectively.
Not surprisingly, the annual poll found that traditional supermarkets, not natural-based or specialty shops, benefited the most from organic purchases. Poll respondents noted that overall, regualr old supermarkets are the venue of choice when it comes to organic purchases. In fact, organic purchases at traditional stores increased from 41% in 2009 to 44.1% in 2010.
Interestingly, Wal-Mart was not included in this traditional grocer category. TABS Group reports that traditional grocers sold 41.0% to 44.1% of organics, while Target came in a close second. Wal-Mart, with sales of 18.6% to 12.4%, Trader Joe's and other natural food grocers were in the losing category when it came to organic purchases.
As for products, fruits and veggies continue to place highest on consumers lists of organic purchases, followed by eggs and dairy. Chicken, skincare and other products make up much smaller segments of organic product sales.
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