Grocery shoppers are increasingly uncommitted, spreading their dollar across more retailers, comparing prices across locations constantly and relying on promotions to stretch their budgets, according to Upside’s Consumer Spend Report 2025.
The report stated that the average consumer now shops at more than three different grocery stores per month, an 8% increase year over year. Three in five grocery shoppers compare prices between stores frequently, reflecting a more intentional approach to everyday spending.
The uncommitted customer makes up the majority of American customers, according to Upside, and uncommitted behavior is accelerating in each retail category that was analyzed.
A majority of consumers said that price is the most important factor in choosing the grocery stores, gas stations and restaurants at which they spend their money. The most important factor for those shopping at convenience stores was the convenient location, followed by low prices.
Price-checking is also on the rise: 54% of fuel customers and 41% of convenience store customers compare prices between locations all or most of the time.
For fuel, survey responses revealed that many lower-income consumers are simply driving less to save on gas: They’re combining errands into fewer trips or taking alternate forms of transportation more often.
The report noted that the main factor is likely the weak labor market, in addition to pandemic-era savings running out, elevated prices and that inflation may be picking back up. Roughly half of consumers (49%) reported that they think the economy is getting worse in 2025.