Target CEO Sees Fewer Store Trips as Shoppers Confront Inflation
Target Corp.’s top executive said U.S. consumers will drive less and consolidate their shopping into fewer trips as they adjust to pricier gasoline and the highest inflation rate in almost four decades.
Shoppers are also likely to eat more at home and seek cheaper generic-brand goods in an effort to ease the blow from rising prices, Chief Executive Officer Brian Cornell said Sunday at a National Retail Federation event in New York. Consumer prices jumped 7% last year, the fastest 12-month pace since mid-1982, according to Labor Department data released last week.
“Some of the historical ways consumers react to inflation will play out again in 2022,” Cornell said. “You’ll drive fewer miles, you’ll consolidate the number of times and locations where you shop. You’ll probably spend a little more eating at home versus your favorite restaurant, and you might make some trade-offs between a national brand and an own brand.”
“We’re going to learn a lot about how the consumer reacts in the next 60, 90, 120 days to rising prices.”
The Labor Department’s food-at-home index rose 6.5% over the last 12 months, compared with an annual increase of 1.5% during the last 10 years. For food away from home, the index for limited service meals jumped 8% while that of full-service meals advanced 6.6%.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-16/target-ceo-sees-fewer-store-trips-as-shoppers-confront-inflation?srnd=premium
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I've been combining trips ever since gas went over $1.20 a gallon eons ago. The working (now retired) folks have been doing this for a very long time. Trying to find ways to economize through reducing our gasoline usage, buying store brands, couponing, trying to game rewards programs if they are available, because we don't make the zillions of dollars per year that he and his playmates make. 
though RoadHouse gave me a B-day coupon for a free appetizer - we take in their generous delicious grilled chicken salad maybe once a week and split the toppings onto a side salad smaller portion for me save - DH gets vet discount as well. Less often a pizza, Chinese, or wings and fried mushrooms just across the street!
Been to Sam's Club for staples/condiments/big nutty snack jar - 3 huge pancake mix boxes and 2 syrups and coffee at lower costs. That way I can order a 1 lb special coffee on occasion. Sales and/or large cut meats. I also like the beer-batter cod. I get 3 meals for 2 from a $5 rotisserie chicken - as is, sandwiches, homemade soup or pot pies. Their canned chicken and tuna packs are great!
GFS for frozen entree Cabbage Rolls and Salisbury Steak; we can get 3 meals for 2 from these.
The local farm market has deli meats $2 less than the groceries and local stuff like glass jar pickled eggs, honey, jams, and bakery breads, buns, and fry pies.
Kroger/Fresh Thyme for organic canned foods, frozen fruit and veggies, and protein meal shakes YUM! I'm getting acquainted with dairy replacement milks too (oat, cashew, almond). We do use some 1/2 and 1/2 for creamed soups. Take baking butter home for freezer; crock spread for toast, etc...I make my own beverage from iced green tea flavored by specialty teas and/or RealLemon juice. So no sugar or carbonated. Own a soda stream, if really necessary, and filtered faucet water we call "delightful water" for coffee pot
Local delivery service from local farmers for basic meats and eggs - 2 briskets, pork loin/chops and ground meat - more expensive but much better tasting in 2-meal casseroles - LOVE THIS!
Laundry strips by 2-month subscription and wooley balls in the dryer
Quality TP by 4 month subscription
DH can pick up stuff after work that runs out or needed for a recipe - so not much extra gasoline. When shopping, we plan trips to multiple stores to wind up at home.
I was pandemic stock up shopping once a month, but I got a puppy vet needs now 
