The 25% Of Us Who Grocery Shop for Ourselves

Promoting and Advancing Petroleum Marketing, Retail Grocery, and Convenience Stores in West Virginia

Driving Local Business and Community Growth Across West Virginia

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OMEGA is a West Virginia-based organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the business interests of the state’s petroleum marketing, retail grocery, and convenience store industries.

As a network of over 225 locally owned businesses, OMEGA actively promotes cooperation, advocates for favorable legislation, and provides education and resources to its members. With over 50,000 employees, OMEGA members significantly contribute to the state’s economy, generating more than 10% of all state taxes and supporting local communities through scholarships, charitable donations, and civic involvement.

OMEGA is committed to fostering industry growth while serving West Virginians with essential services like fuel, food, and convenience.

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Your Essential Connection in West Virginia

OMEGA offers three types of membership: Convenience Store Members, Petroleum Marketer Members, and Grocer Members, all of which play a vital role in providing fuel, food, and essentials across West Virginia. As a liaison with state and national agencies, OMEGA works closely with organizations like NACS, PMAA, FMI, and the N.G.A. to advocate on behalf of its members.

We keep members informed through newsletters, legislative updates, an online resource hub, and educational seminars. Additional member benefits include access to the Encova Workers’ Compensation Discount Program and participation in our annual Trade Expo and fundraising efforts for children’s charities. OMEGA is here to support, advocate, and enhance the success of our industry members.

I’m one of the 25% of grocery shoppers making purchasing decisions solely for myself. As a single shopper, I have my own methods to meet my household shopping needs, but are my shopping habits really that different from co-shoppers, shared shoppers and primary shoppers? I turned to the 2019 U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends report and the data tables to take a closer look. Here’s what I found and how this single shopper’s grocery shopping habits measure up.

<p>By Bianca Ruffin, Senior Manager, Marketing, Food Marketing Institute<br /> <img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/photos-for-staff-use/produce/20171205-fmi-store-shoot-0145_ed087d1f0324aa67249237ff0000c12749.tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=5edc786e_2" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="20171205-FMI-Store Shoot-0145_ed" title="20171205-FMI-Store Shoot-0145_ed" style="float: right; margin: 10px;" /> </p> <p>I’m one of the 25% of grocery shoppers making purchasing decisions solely for myself. As a single shopper, I have my own methods to meet my household shopping needs, but are my shopping habits really that different from co-shoppers, shared shoppers and primary shoppers? I turned to the 2019 <a href="https://www.fmi.org/our-research/research-reports/u-s-grocery-shopper-trends"><em>U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends</em></a> report and the <a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/store/ProductFormPublic/u-s-grocery-shopper-trends-2019-data-tables">data tables</a> to take a closer look. Here’s what I found and how this single shopper’s grocery shopping habits measure up. </p> <h5>Multiple Trips to Multiple Banners</h5> <p>According to the <a href="https://www.fmi.org/our-research/research-reports/u-s-grocery-shopper-trends"><em>Trends</em></a><em> </em>report, most of us shop at 4.4 banners per month. Single shoppers match this general trend (4.0 banners), and I, too, fit this trend as I often plan meals weekly or biweekly, sourcing ingredients that I can use in multiple recipes. I do so by shopping at multiple locations, personalizing my experience by opting for the best grocery fit. It’s not always my favorite task to schedule multiple trips, but my needs aren’t generally satisfied by a single store. </p> <h5>Concerned About Sustainability and Health and Well-being</h5> <p>According to <a href="https://www.fmi.org/our-research/research-reports/u-s-grocery-shopper-trends"><em>Trends</em></a>, most of us personalize our grocery shopping in our own way. For me, that means buying fresh meats, seafood and fruits at stores that emphasize ethically sourced, biodynamic foods, and organic when it makes sense—I don’t need organic, boxed mac & cheese, but I’ll probably get organic milk and cheese if I’m making it from scratch. We see that single shoppers, like me, tend to be more concerned about sustainability and ethically sourced products with 32% seeking out these products compared to 25% of multi-person households. </p> <h5>Price Savings</h5> <p>For my non-perishables, I much prefer the big box stores. The cost savings are wide, and when it’s a product that’s not going to spoil, I’ll certainly make the additional trip to reap those savings—usually monthly or bi-monthly. In this respect, my habits differ from other single shoppers—only 21% of single shoppers seek out club stores and 48% seek out supercenters. Multi-person households seek out club stores 37% of the time and supercenters 54% of the time, so it seems I’m more in line with them.</p> <h5>I Want It My Way</h5> <p>Most of my grocery shopping requires me to go further than my local stores—I’ll drive out of the way and map out other errands to run, just to go to my two favorite grocery stores. Sometimes, I need an item or two that I’ve forgotten, and will go to a local grocer I don’t often frequent. At the end of the day, I personalize my own shopping experience by going to different grocery locations, including brick and mortar and online stores. And I don’t see myself stopping my grocery shopping patterns anytime soon. In that respect, this single shopper is just like everyone else. </p> <p><a href="https://www.fmi.org/our-research/research-reports/u-s-grocery-shopper-trends" class="button-secondary">Download U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends</a></p>

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Supporting West Virginia Communities

OMEGA members play a vital role in West Virginia, supporting communities through substantial tax contributions and a wide-reaching presence across the state. With over 55% of the population living in border counties, our members are dedicated to serving both local and regional needs. Beyond business, we’re proud to give back, having contributed over $3.1 million to children’s charities since 2003, reflecting our commitment to making a positive difference.