Shoppers seek more value, embrace private label offerings, and list price as top factor when deciding where to buy groceries
ST. LOUIS, MO – Save A Lot, one of the largest discount grocery chains in the U.S., recently surveyed 600 U.S. adults to learn how the current economic landscape has impacted grocery shopping, how consumers feed their families and friends, and how they decide where to shop.
Looking for Value, Shoppers Embrace Store Brands & Home Meals
According to the survey, 79% of respondents say their average grocery costs have increased, compared to just three months ago. Consumers are taking steps to save money including purchasing private label products, cooking at home more, and cutting back on treats. The majority (55%) of survey respondents are purchasing private label products more now than compared to a year ago.
To help meet this demand, Save A Lot has introduced 55 new private label items in the past 12 months including grocery items like Mantia’s Pizza Sauce, Kiggins Crunchy Peanut Butter Granola Bars, and 12-packs of Boardwalk sodas – as well as pet food items from its Oliver & Scout product line.
“Not only do we focus on offering great economic value – we are very intentional on the product quality,” said Sally Fatzinger, Save A Lot’s Vice President of Center Store. “Our value and quality equation sets our private label products apart.”
Economic Concerns Put a Damper on Summer Hosting
The majority (53%) of survey respondents said they planned to reduce their summer holiday hosting plans due to economic concerns. Those hosting cited cutting back on extras like decorations (32%) and cooking low-cost meals (30%) to keep costs manageable.
Consumers Rank Price Above All in Grocery Choices
Based on the survey, price (82%), followed by quality of produce (66%), then proximity to home (54%), were the top three factors for shoppers deciding where to buy groceries. In fact, nearly half of shoppers (49%) list price as extremely important when choosing where to shop for groceries.
The survey also found that 40% of shoppers are very likely to shop at a discount grocery store due to rising food costs.
“Shoppers are clearly prioritizing value, and that’s shaping where they shop, what they buy, and how they provide for their families,” said Fatzinger. “At Save A Lot, we’re committed to delivering great taste, quality, and value every day. That’s why we continue to grow our private label offerings to better meet the evolving needs of our customers.”
Save A Lot believes that all communities should have access to fresh, high quality food options. Stores focus on offering everyday low prices on great tasting, high-quality private label brands as well as national brand products, USDA-inspected meat cut fresh in store, farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, and other non-food items.
The survey was conducted via Pollfish in June 2025 and includes responses from 600 US adults. For more information about Save A Lot, please visit www.savealot.com.
About Save A Lot
Founded in 1977, Save A Lot is the largest independently owned and operated discount grocery store chain in the U.S., with approximately 700 stores in 30 states. True to its mission of being a hometown grocer, Save A Lot strives to provide unmatched quality and value to local families. Customers enjoy savings compared to traditional grocery stores on great tasting, high quality private label brands, national brand products, USDA-inspected meat, farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, and other non-food items. For more information visit www.SaveALot.com and follow Save A Lot on Facebook (facebook.com/savealot), on X (@savealot), and Instagram (@SaveALotFoodStores), or for more information on becoming a Save A Lot independent retail operator, visit ownasavealot.com
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