According to the 5th annual Power of Meat research presented during the 2010 Annual Meat Conference, purchases of meat and poultry at the retail level have begun to normalize, at least in part due to a decline in frequency of eating out.

The results of this November 2009 survey of 1,100 consumers showed that 40% of shoppers reduced their meat and poultry purchases due to the economy, a decline from the 51% who said the same thing last year. Consumers say they eat dinner at home five nights a week; four of these meals include meat or poultry.

The supermarket is the primary store for 61% of shoppers, while supercenters play that role for 32% of respondents. An estimated 68% purchase meat primarily at supermarkets while 19% primarily make these purchases at supercenters. This survey also found that 88% of consumers who shop primarily at supermarkets stay there to buy meat, while only 60% of shoppers at supercenters stay there to make their meat purchases.

In other findings, 60% of respondents said they buy meat and poultry in bulk for use over time, compared with 51% who said the same thing in 2007. Discounts are the main reason behind bulk purchases for 40% of shoppers, while 15% say it is due to pre-portioning and 11% say it is due to the purchase of variety packs.

Sales of organic/natural meat and poultry products are relatively stable, with one in five consumers making such a purchase in the last three months.