Local green grocers look to be experiencing a resurgence in popularity, according to consumer research that shows Australian shoppers are increasingly visiting specialist vegetable retailers.
The Project Harvest study, which tracks consumer attitudes to vegetable purchases over time, shows that the number of Australians who buy their beans and carrots at greengrocers has jumped by 37 per cent and 25 per cent respectively since June last year.
“We know that consumers enjoy the convenience of the major retailers, but this latest data suggests that for some Australians, there are other factors that are increasingly leading them to shop at specialist vegetable retailers,” said AUSVEG assistant manager – Industry Development, Kurt Hermann.
Hermann said Australians, on average, shop more than twice a week, averaging more than 135 trips a year, which suggests that while most Australians still shop heavily at the major retailers, they’re complementing this with trips to smaller, specialist green grocers.
“Many consumers say they shop at their preferred retailer because of the people, or because of the overall atmosphere and shopping experience there – and it looks like they’re finding this at the local greengrocer,” said Hermann.
“Often, this can be because of a personal relationship they’ve established with the owner or staff at the shop, which can turn the shopping experience into a social event.”
Project Harvest is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Ltd using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.
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Australian shoppers are increasingly visiting specialist vegetable retailers, according to research.
