NEW YORK - America's supermarkets are the unexpected "hotbed" of some unusual activities, including shoppers using clothes as a "packaging material" to smuggle foods like salamis, frozen turkeys and raw meats out of grocery stores.
This, and many other outrageous behaviors and strange occurrences, are happening right now in supermarkets nationwide, according to a recent survey conducted by The 100% Recycled Paperboard Alliance (RPA-100%) -- a group of leading North American recycled paperboard manufacturers. The second annual survey -- called "Check It Out, 100% Fun Facts From America's Crossroads" -- polled over 200 general managers (GMs) in supermarkets across the country in March 1998.
"We conduct this poll annually to 'check out' interesting consumer purchasing habits and behaviors in the place where so much of our 100% recycled paperboard packaging is seen by people every week -- on the shelves of supermarkets nationwide," said Paul DeNunzio of Jefferson Smurfit Corporation, an RPA- 100% member company.
Survey findings fall into six categories.
Most Outrageous Behaviors -- GMs cite the following activities as the "most outrageous behaviors": * Customers found smuggling meat out of the store in their pants, and detergent between their legs * Customers trying on products -- like deodorant, hair gel, after-shave lotion and cosmetics -- in the store and placing the used products back on the shelf without purchasing them * Fist-fighting with cashiers and other customers * Customers driving cars through store windows, and various vehicles through stores (including motorbikes and roller-blades and one old lady on a bicycle) * One man assembled his whole fire-fighting department in uniform and proposed on bended-knee to his girlfriend, a store checker
Strangest Requests -- GMs rate the following as "the strangest customer requests": * Packing each grocery item in a separate bag * Stocking blow-up dolls * "Let's barter for that!" * "Can my dog ride in the front of my cart?" * "Do you carry rattlesnake and alligator meat?" * Carrying pizza-flavored dog food
Shoppers "Vices" -- Cigarettes and Liquor -- On The Upswing -- 40% of GMs report that cigarettes and liquor combined account for the most frequently shoplifted items of 1998 -- that's an increase of 180% from 1997 for these two product categories. Whereas in 1997, pharmaceuticals, health/beauty aids and batteries combined accounted for 75% of products taken from store shelves. -- 32% of GMs indicate that prices are not the number one "hassle point" this year -- today, customers are hassling store managers about stock selection and availability.
Kids Get Their Way -- 80% of GMs say kids use similar techniques to influence their parents' purchasing decisions -- with a combination of out-of-control behaviors, including tantrums, begging, whining and screaming * 31% of GMs hear kids tell their parents, "I need it!" * 13% of GMs hear kids say, "I promise to be good!" * Others said: "But my friend has it!", "I'll die without it!", "I'll never ask for anything again!"
Male & Female Purchasing Differences -- 70% of GMs report that beverages and snack foods are the packaged goods that male consumers purchase most often -- 68% of GMs say that females most frequently purchase household goods, dairy products and toiletries
Thoughts About 100% Recycled Paperboard -- 72% of GMs believe that buying products packaged in 100% recycled paperboard makes a positive contribution to the environment -- 88% of GMs think food and household goods represent the items most often packaged in 100% recycled paperboard in their stores. This is a significant change since 1997, when 66% of GMs reported that they thought toys and household goods were at the top. -- Companies that use 100% recycled paperboard in manufacturing or packaging help make America's recycling activities more effective, according to 70% of GMs
Meat Industry Insights News Service
P.O. Box 553
Northport, NY 11768
Phone: 631-757-4010
Fax: 631-757-4060
E-mail: sflanagan@sprintmail.com
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