Trust in the food industry has fallen to a nine-year low as two thirds of consumers feel they are being "ripped off" by convenience store prices, according to a survey. Which?'s monthly consumer insight tracker found that trust in the groceries industry dropped in May to the lowest it has been since November 2014, with a score of 36 - a fall of 32 points since the previous high of 68 in May 2020.
A separate survey by the consumer group found that 67% of UK adult believe supermarkets are ripping people off with their convenience store prices, which can often be more expensive than larger stores. Three-quarters (75%) also said they find the price of convenience store foods too expensive compared to larger supermarkets and nearly half (45%) struggle to find affordable food in convenience stores.
Half of those (51%) who rely on convenience stores at least once a week are struggling financially with the cost-of-living crisis compared to 35% of consumers overall, the poll found. Some 57% agreed that having more budget ranges in stores would help.
