Understanding The Impact of Tariffs on Grocery Shopping Habits and Behaviors
June 2025
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Most Americans view the current economic climate through a negative lens.
Consumer sentiment has remained relatively stable compared to late May, with very slight increases in optimism. Unfortunately, this stability reflects continually low levels of optimism for the future.
%
of Americans Are Feeling Negatively About The Current Economic Situation
vs 74% in late May
Frustrated
15%
vs 14% in late May
Stressed
14%
vs 13% in late May
Pessimistic
14%
vs 14% in late May
Anxious
11%
vs 9% in late May
Level of optimism about the future
- 8-10 (vs 16% in late May) 19%
- 5-7 (vs 35% in late May) 34%
- 1-4 (vs 49% in late May) 47%
Level of optimism about financial future
- 8-10 (vs 17% in late May) 17%
- 5-7 (vs 37% in late May) 41%
- 1-4 (vs 46% in late May) 42%
*10 being very optimistic on the scale
Due to tariffs and financial concerns, habits and beliefs surrounding American grocery shopping are changing.
Consumers are grocery shopping as often as before — but paying more. While 61% report no change in their grocery shopping frequency, 72% say their grocery bill has increased in the past three months — pointing to price strain, not behavioral shift.
Changes to grocery shopping frequency
%
About the Same
%
Less often
Most Americans say their grocery prices have increased in the past three months. Because of increasing prices, consumer attitudes towards grocery shopping are rapidly souring.
Perceived changes to grocery prices
%
of Americans feel their grocery bill has gone up (NET)
- It has gone up a lot ⬆️⬆️ 32%
- It has gone up a bit⬆️ 40%
- It has stayed about the same🟰 23%
- It has gone down a bit⬇️ 4%
- It has gone down a lot⬇️⬇️ 1%
Grocery shopping is a depressing chore. I cannot buy nearly the same amount of food I used to be able to. I have turned to more discount and generic branded good items, sacrificing more natural and healthy ingrediants so I can be sure I have enough to eat.
I hate shopping. I want to be out of the grocery store as quickly and with as little interaction as possible. I grab the necessities quickly and get out. I’ll make a separate trip for anything special I have planned.
M, 45, Northeast
F, 35, Midwest
M, 31, West
90% of shoppers have adjusted their grocery habits — focusing on discipline and cost control. Top tactics include skipping impulse buys, cutting treats, and prioritizing value options.
%
of Americans have made changes to their grocery shopping habits in the past three months
Some of the most popular changes include:
Avoiding impulse purchases
%
Cutting back on snacks/treats
%
Looking for cheaper alternatives
%
Choosing store brands more often
%
In addition to trimming back on impulse buys and treats, some shoppers are now forced to cut essentials.
32% say they’ve reduced spending on everyday grocery basics – not just nice-to-haves.
Top categories being cut
- Proteins/meats
- Snacks
- Produce
- Rice
- Paper goods/cleaning supplies
- Juice/soda
- Eggs
Despite significant changes to grocery shopping habits, very few consumers have switched their primary store. A third of consumers have started shopping around more for their grocery products in search of better prices, deals and promotions.
Changes to retailer choice
Reasons for shopping around more
%
Has switched their primary store
%
Started using multiple stores more often
- Better prices 83%
- More deals & promotions 57%
- Better selection & variety 27%
- Loyalty programs & rewards 26%
- Searching for specific products 25%
- More reliable stock availability 25%
- Retailers are closer to home 25%
- Better bulk buy options 22%
- Better quality products 17%
- Opportunities to buy local 14%
- Store values align with my values 12%
%
Of US consumers say they now visit dollar stores more often than they did in the past
With all of the challenges consumers are facing, we asked consumers to share a few grocery shopping survival tips! Here's what they had to say.
Top grocery shopping survival tips
Focus on purchasing items on sale, or with coupons / reward schemes
Buy what is in the sales circular and take advantage of your stores reward and coupon offerings
F, 38, South
Paying more attention to items on sale and collecting coupons.
Stick to a budget and avoid impulse purchases
I go to the store less often and stick to my budget.
M, 67, South
I go to the store every week and make it to next week without cheating.
Planning Ahead
My best tip is make a list of what you are buying and figure out dinner options and stick to your list.
I also believe in doing grocery shopping at more than one location to compare availability and prices.
Go in with a plan. Use similar ingredients across multiple meals to avoid waste.
Shoppers aren’t just changing their own habits – They are also facing empty shelves
%
Noticing more out-of-stock items
Most frequent out-of stock items:
- Dairy & eggs
- Produce
- Meat & protein
- Pantry staples
- Household items & toiletries
Over half of Americans (61%) say it’s important to buy locally produced groceries — especially fresh essentials like dairy, produce, and meat.
%
Believe it's important to purchase locally produced groceries
Top "Buy Local" priority items
(among those who value shopping locally)
- Dairy/eggs 75%
- Fresh Produce 75%
- Meat/Poultry 72%
- Bakery Items 55%
Grocery Prices Are Causing Stress or Strain for Nearly All Americans
Impact of rising grocery prices on household budgets
- They’re creating a lot of stress 20%
- They’ve made things tighter, but are managing 51%
- They haven’t made a big difference 22%
- They’re not impacting our budget at all 7%
To cover grocery costs, Americans are cutting back on other areas like dining out, entertainment, and travel
Top areas Americans are cutting back on
Dining Out
%
Entertainment
%
Travel or Vacation
%
Hobbies or Leisure Activities
%
Even after tightening their budgets and changing how they shop, most Americans aren’t confident the worst is over.
70% expect further changes to their grocery budget — and many worry about the rising cost and safety of staple foods.
%
of Americans think their grocery budget will change in the coming months
Anything grown internationally. Staple foods because of price gouging from corporations. With the reduction of the FDA, I will feel less safe buying fresh foods sources in the USA.
F, 34, Northeast
I am worried that staples will get more expensive like milk, meat, and grains.
A word on our approach...
Fine Print:
A Nationally Representative Angus Reid Group Sample
Sample Size: n= 301 Americans aged 18+ years old
Fieldwork dates: June 2-7, 2025
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Coming Soon:
Over the next several months, we’ll be diving deeper into how tariffs and economic uncertainty are shaping everyday life. From travel plans to the impact on media consumption, personal wellness, big-ticket purchases, and budgeting strategies — we’ll explore it all. We’ll also cover shifting consumer trust in brands and retailers, impulse spending trends, and how special occasions and summer holidays are being affected.
Stay tuned for fresh insights!
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