Discount Grocery Shopping: Theatrics Of Thrift Or Treasure Hunt Thrills?

During our "Great Recession" (circa 2008), a good deal of discussion centered on how Americans were going to rapidly "trade down," and big things were predicted for bargain-driven retail formats that sold groceries as shoppers theoretically flocked to discounters like Walmart and Dollar General. Instead, consumers seemed to enjoy including yet more discount options in their ever-broadening food shopping habits and, rather than embrace any one "kind" of retailer, chose to shop all types of food retailers, ranging from discount to fresh-format premium — and everything in between.