When compared with shoppers around the world, Canadians more concerned with finding sales staff to help locate products and a quick checkout

MISSISSAUGA – Canadians are adjusting to the economic uncertainty by comparison shopping on the internet and searching out efficient retailers who can save them time and money, according to a global survey of the shopping behaviour of consumers in 16 countries.

Overall the research paints a picture of a bargain-conscious global consumer. Nearly half of all global respondents said they are using cash instead of other payment methods to control spending. Fifty-three percent of global respondents are using the internet more frequently to research products and prices and switching between retailers in search of value. Over half of North American and European respondents are turning to store brand or generic products as an alternative to name brand goods.

Canadian shoppers stood out from the crowd in their expectations of staff in retail stores, with almost 80 percent saying they want retail staff to personally help them find what they’re looking for and 74 percent expressing a desire to check out quickly. Almost 40 percent of Canadians say they would welcome a self-service kiosk in stores to locate products.

When Canadians were asked how the economic climate has affected the way they shop, 40 percent said they find themselves online more frequently researching products and prices. Almost 50 percent said they are “shop hopping” between retailers looking for the best price. Forty three percent said they are shopping for fresh food but in smaller quantities so it doesn’t spoil. Forty one percent said they are cooking from scratch rather than buying ready-made meals.

“Canadian shoppers clearly are time starved and demand choice, convenience and speed of service. They have so much access to information through the internet at home and the various mobile devices they’re carrying when shopping,” says Michael Taylor, general manager, Retail, NCR Canada. “The economic downturn has put more pressure on retailers as they figure out how to attract this informed, technologically savvy shopper who wants to connect with them via multi channels.”

NCR commissioned BuzzBack Market Research to conduct this survey of over 500 Canadian respondents. The results form part of the NCR 2009 Self-Service survey of 8,400 consumers in North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia, Japan and Central Latin America. BuzzBack LLC is a leading international market research firm headquartered in New York City.