New data from NielsenIQ has revealed that 57% of UK consumers believe that companies should be taxed heavily if they are producing or promoting unhealthy choices.
According to the data, 60% of UK households say it is important to buy sustainably produced grocery products to help save the environment.
Because of inflationary pressures and cost-of-living expenses, the report states that UK shoppers are finding it challenging to balance their personal health and maintain their care for the environment.
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Over half (54%) of UK consumers pay attention to labelling and food nutritional values when shopping, with sugar (45%), fat (41%) and salt (31%) content having the biggest impact on purchase decisions.
Reducing food waste (45%), buying local/British (36%) and minimal/no packaging (26%) are seen as the most important concerns about grocery products for UK shoppers.
Although consumers expressed a will to switch to sustainable product packaging, shopping behaviour did not always reflect this willingness.
“With 49% of households focusing on value for money when buying new food and drink products, 6 UK shoppers find themselves in a bit of a fix as they struggle to balance tight budgets with their health and sustainability values,” said UK Thought Leadership activation manager at NielsenIQ, Katrina Bishop.
“We may see a slight shift in priorities from shoppers as they seek to find alternative ways to balance this, for example, cutting back on grocery spending and on meat may result in cooking with fresh vegetables rather than seeking out meat alternatives.”
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