Consumers Have Shifted Shopping Habits to Discount Retailers

NielsenIQ data shows shoppers are increasingly choosing club retailers to mitigate ongoing financial pressure.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Shopping — General

Bold vector editorial illustration showing towering industrial warehouse shelves filled with uniform cardboard boxes, representing bulk retail shopping trends. — US shoppers are increasingly turning to club retailers and private-label goods, driving a 9% sales surge as households manage ongoing financial pressures. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Are you changing your grocery shopping habits to save money in response to higher prices?

Shoppers have significantly altered their purchasing behaviors in the United States, moving toward discount retailers and private label products to manage costs. This shift has driven a 9% sales increase in the club channel over the past year.

Why it matters

Consumers are prioritizing value-based justification over habit to navigate ongoing financial pressure. This move reflects a broader trend of shoppers assembling deals across multiple channels to maximize their budgets.

Thirty-two percent of consumers are buying more private label products, while 39% have switched to lower-priced brands. Additionally, club channel sales grew by 9% over the past year compared to flat results at traditional grocery stores.

The players

NielsenIQ

This global company provides measurement and data analytics to help retailers and manufacturers understand consumer behavior.

Nicole Collida

She is a representative from NielsenIQ who presented the recent findings on retail shopping trends at the Groceryshop event.

The details

Consumers are actively combining strategies by switching brands and stocking up on sale items to stretch their household budgets. Retailers are now tasked with delivering value for specific need states as shoppers reduce visits to traditional grocery and dollar stores in favor of club and mass retail options.

Over the past three years, shopper trip frequency has shifted between various retail channels.
Club channel sales grew 9% over the past year.
Nicole Collida presented these findings on September 22, 2026.
Projected consumer spending trends are expected to continue through 2027.

Culture Shift

The NielsenIQ 2026 consumer shopping behavior study marks a significant departure from historical brand loyalty patterns seen during periods of lower inflation. This shift underscores a long-term transition where consumers prioritize pragmatic value over traditional retail habits.

Readers may find that their weekly grocery budgets stretch further by prioritizing private label items and utilizing club retailer memberships. Adopting these habits requires more time for comparative shopping but offers a practical way to combat rising costs.

The takeaway

Shoppers can maximize their purchasing power by aligning their needs with the specific discount strategies offered by club and mass retailers. Consistently comparing private label options against name brands remains a primary method for mitigating the impact of current financial pressures.