Three Quarters (74%) of Ontarians Dining in More Often in Order to Reduce their Expenses

Toronto, ON - It appears that the slowdown in the economy is affecting the dining habits of most Ontarians, with a new Ipsos Reid poll of household primary grocery shoppers revealing that three quarters (74%) `agree' (39% strongly/35% somewhat) that they are `dining in more often in order to reduce their expenses'. Just one quarter (26%) `disagrees' (7% strongly/19% somewhat) that this is the case.

In fact, in an effort to save money, two in three (64%) grocery shoppers `agree' (25% strongly/39% somewhat) that `they have been shopping fore less expensive meal ideas, for example spaghetti instead of steak'. Only one in three (36%) `disagrees' (10% strongly/26% somewhat) that they've been trying to save money this way.

Further, a similar proportion (62%) of shoppers `agree' (20% strongly/43% somewhat) that the recent economic slowdown has caused them `to be more attracted to private labels in their grocery store as a way to save money'. Just four in ten (38%) `disagree' (10% strongly/28% somewhat) that they're shopping habits have changed in this manner.

These are the findings of a poll conducted on behalf of Metro Grocers from January 26 to 29, 2009. This online survey of 1011 primary grocery shoppers living in Ontario was conducted via the Ipsos I-Say Online Panel, Ipsos Reid's national online panel. The results of these polls are based on a sample where quota sampling and weighting are employed to balance demographics and ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the actual Ontarian population according to Census data. Quota samples with weighting from the Ipsos online panel provide results that are intended to approximate a probability sample. Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online polls, however, an unweighted probability sample of this size, with a 100% response rate, would have an estimated margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, had the entire adult population of primary grocery shoppers in Ontario been polled.

For more information on this news release, please contact:
Sean Simpson
Research Manager
Ipsos Reid
Public Affairs
(416) 572-4474
[email protected]

About Ipsos Reid
Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

To learn more, please visit www.ipsos.ca.

About Ipsos
Ipsos is a leading global survey-based market research company, owned and managed by research professionals. Ipsos helps interpret, simulate, and anticipate the needs and responses of consumers, customers, and citizens around the world.

Member companies assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media. They measure public opinion around the globe.

Ipsos member companies offer expertise in advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, and public affairs research, as well as forecasting, modeling, and consulting. Ipsos has a full line of custom, syndicated, omnibus, panel, and online research products and services, guided by industry experts and bolstered by advanced analytics and methodologies. The company was founded in 1975 and has been publicly traded since 1999.

In 2007, Ipsos generated global revenues of e927.2 million ($1.27 billion U.S.).

Visit www.ipsos.com to learn more about Ipsos offerings and capabilities.

Ipsos, listed on the Eurolist of Euronext - Comp B, is part of SBF 120 and the Mid-100 Index, adheres to the Next Prime segment and is eligible to the Deferred Settlement System. Isin FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP