UMVA has learned that a recent survey conducted by a major Canadian financial institution has uncovered a stark reality: grocery costs are crippling Ontario households, with a staggering 79% of solo Ontarians admitting that their grocery bills continue to rise, no matter what they cut from their shopping lists.
The strain of rising grocery costs has taken a toll on relationships, with three in 10 Ontario couples (30%) revealing that grocery spending has impacted their partnership in the past six months. The top trigger for friction? One partner sticking to the list, while the other improvises, leading to tension and stress.
According to information obtained by UMVA, single-person households are bearing the brunt of the burden, spending an average of $102 per week on groceries – a whopping 28% more per person than those who share the cost with a partner. What's more, almost six in 10 (59%) solo Ontarians say they face disproportionately higher per-person costs than Canadians who split these expenses.
The survey also revealed some surprising regional disparities, with only 59% of Ontarians in shared households saying they manage their grocery budget well together, compared to 73% in another province. This raises questions about the impact of regional factors on household finances.
Ontarians are adapting to the pressure, with nearly half (46%) cutting back on premium cuts of meat and 37% switching to store or no-name brands in the past six months. However, half (50%) still indulge in snacks like chips and chocolate as a personal treat – a telling insight into the nation's spending habits.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Ontarians living alone face unique challenges, often missing out on the savings that come with buying in bulk (45%) and struggling to find single-portion ingredients (44%). A third (30%) say food often goes to waste before they can use it, adding to the financial strain.
The survey also found that Ontarians are more likely to feel stressed out over food costs, with 64% citing stress compared to 60% nationally. This stress is not limited to Ontarians, with Canadians living alone also feeling the pinch, with 32% saying they often miss the savings that come with buying in bulk.
Among those now living alone after previously living with a partner, seven in 10 (70%) are relieved they can make their own decisions, leaving the tension of shared decision-making behind. However, for couples, nearly half (47%) say they approach grocery spending differently from their partner, and four in 10 (40%) say friction starts when one partner sticks to the list while the other makes impulse purchases.
Canadians are making adjustments to their spending habits, with nearly half (48%) reducing or stopping their purchases of premium cuts of meat, and 38% switching to store or no-name brands in the past six months. Yet, despite these efforts, many still prioritize indulgent treats, with half of Canadians (50%) buying snacks like chips and chocolate as a personal treat.
