Facts About the Hispanic Shopping Behavior -2-

Behavior-Based Research Provides Retailers Real In-Store Solutions

Unilever’s Hispanic Market Study Uncovers New Shopper Insights Into the Nation’s Fastest Growing Consumer Group

  This research focused on four of the largest Hispanic markets in the U.S.: Houston, Los Angeles, Miami and New York. 799 participants took part and nearly 9 out of every 10 respondents were born outside of the U.S., either in Mexico, Central or South America, or the Caribbean.

The study also reveals that because food plays such a dominant role in a Hispanic woman’s life, all shopping activities are highly planned.

“From family to community, food for Hispanic Americans has an emotional and cultural significance that extends beyond eating. Hence, the Hispanic shopper thinks about every aspect of food shopping and preparation,” added Mike Twitty, Sr. Group Research Manager, Shopper Insight, Unilever United States. “She plans her trips carefully – apparently more so than the general market shopper – and not only around what she has at home and what she needs, but around the value she can obtain.”

Although much has been said about how different Hispanic shoppers are from each other depending on their countries of origin, this study points out that while they may be different in the foods they want, they’re the same in their shopping behavior. This includes the frequency and type of shopping trips they take.

Routine trips are not characterized by any specific item; Hispanic shoppers have different routines for different product categories, but they happen where they find the convenience and service appealing.

The study also warns that the Hispanic consumer is a highly food-involved, smart, efficient and value-oriented shopper; one that retailers ignore at their own peril.

Additional key findings include:

-- The Hispanic Shopper makes a higher number of bigger trips, Fill-In and Major Stock-Up, and far fewer Quick Trips than the general market consumer.

-- Quick Trips are just 44% of all trips she makes vs. 62% for general market shoppers. Non-food items drive Quick Trips for the Hispanic Shopper.

-- Hispanic women are significantly more aware (by a 48% to 36% margin) of “specials” before going to the store than are general market shoppers. Even within the store, Hispanics’ awareness of specials is higher than the general markets.

-- Nearly 1 in 4 Hispanic shoppers walk or take public transportation (22%) compared to just 1 in 33 of general market consumers. Geography is responsible for choice, as is value.

-- She knows her needs beforehand, hence a full 56% of her trips are routine vs. 26% in the general market.

-- The Hispanic Shopper may spend less per routine trip, but a full 54% of her total grocery spending occurs on routine trips vs. 22% in the general market.

-- Even more dramatic, only 2% of her trips are urgent, vs. 19% for the general market – that’s 1 in 50 compared to 1 in 5.

-- More than half surveyed use cash, one quarter used a debit card and 11% paid with a credit card. Only 2% paid by check.

-- 35% of all Hispanic shopping trips occur after 6 p.m. compared to only 18% in the general market.

-- Hispanic shoppers are shopping with someone else – most frequently with kids – on 29% of all trips, compared to 23% in the general market.

-- They’re nearly twice as likely to be shopping with a non-family member, such as a friend, than is the general market.


Published by hispanicprwire.com