Over the last few years we have seen an increase in food retailers using suggestive style adverts to advertise their products. But it seems that these types of adverts no longer tempt customers as they look to tighten their belts. It seems as if their priorities are searching for the best quality food at the lowest prices, often using Raise coupons and other cost-cutting measures in order to save more on their grocery shop.

New research by a money-saving and voucher code website has revealed that just 4% of customers are influenced to purchase food from these ‘food porn’ style adverts. Many participants stated that value for money and special offers were the top priority when grocery shopping (click here to learn more on the research).

The survey, commissioned by My Voucher Codes polled 2,401 UK residents over the age of 18 asking, “How influenced by ‘food porn’ style adverts like those by M&S are you to try and buy from these retailers?” Just 4% said they were highly influenced by these style of adverts, while the majority, 45% were not influenced by them at all.

The results also showed that women and those aged between 18 and 24 were more likely to be influenced by these types of adverts than any other demographic.

In a bid to find out more about shopping and eating habits, My Voucher Codes also asked, “What influences your grocery shopping” the results found that value for money and quality topped the list:

• Cost looking at value for money – 64%

• Quality – 52%

• Availability – 39%

• Selection and choice of products – 35%

• Customer service – 23%

• Advertisements – 18%

• Welfare standards – 12%

To find out what influences people when it comes to cooking and trying new foods, the money saving website also asked respondents: “What influences you to try new foods or recipes?” Participants could choose from a selection of answers, with TV cookery shows and recipe books coming top of people’s preferences.

• TV shows focusing on food – 56%

• Recipe books – 53%

• Restaurants – 50%

• Social media images or videos – 49%

• TV chefs – 45%

• Supermarket recipe cards – 36%

• Websites or blogs – 21%

Recommendations from family or friends – 15%

Speaking about the results, General Manager of My Voucher Codes, Chris Reilly, said:

“There are a lot of things which can influence where people shop and what they buy, but despite influence from online sources or expensive adverts created by marketing agencies, it would appear for shoppers it all still comes down to cost, value for money and quality. Our results also show that people are still influenced to try new foods and recipes by TV shows, cookery shows have been popular in the UK for the last few decades and it doesn’t look like the popularity is slowing down anytime soon.

“We have seen in the news recently that people were up in arms with the BBC when they announced that they were cutting the recipes on their website. However only 21% of people use websites and blogs for inspiration, but maybe this is an area which is gaining in popularity as the more tech savvy generations come of age? One thing for sure, it will be a long time, before people are ready to give up their recipe books or get bored with cookery shows.”

My Voucher Codes has a range of M&S vouchers on its website including free delivery to USA, so why not check them out.

We’d love to know your opinions on this subject. Are you influenced by suggestive ‘food porn’ adverts or do you shun pre-made meals in favour of homemade creations?