Technomic survey shows consumer concerns over food prices, package sizes
In its most recent consumer sentiment and behavior survey, Technomic Inc., the Chicago-based food industry research firm, found that 84 percent of consumers believe that grocery prices have risen in the past three months and 62 percent believe restaurant prices have risen.
During the same time period, 50 percent of consumers believe packaged food sizes have gotten smaller and 32 percent believe the same thing has happened with restaurant portions. The two main reasons why consumers think package and/or portion sizes have gotten smaller are the desires of food and restaurant companies to enhance profitability and to keep retail prices the same when costs rise; only 10 percent attribute the downsizing to improving the products' healthfulness.