'Healthy food still remains top priority amid cost-of-living crisis'

Healthy food continues to remain a top priority despite the ongoing pressures of the cost-of-living crisis, states latest M&S Family Matters Index.

According to the M&S’ study findings, while cost of living is the leading concern for more than four out of every five families, 53 percent of those surveyed said that healthy eating is still a “top priority”.

A third (33 percent) have described themselves as being “concerned” about getting enough nutritious food – a jump of 11 percent on the previous quarter, making it the fastest-growing concern since the Family Matters Index launched in March 2021.

Cost of living is also cited as a top concern by 82 percent of UK families, up 10 percent since the end of last year, while ongoing uncertainty about the future is starting to impact shopping habits.

Value is also now a key deciding factor when choosing where to shop – 78 percent of people ranked this as a top three priority, ahead of convenience (55 percent) and customer service (47 percent).

“Our latest index suggests cost of living concerns will continue to rise over the coming months, with value set to become even more important to families,” reports quoted M&S’ head of food customer insight Maria Pickett as saying.

The finding comes as the retailer is set to launch a campaign, offering a ‘kids eat free’ promotion across its in-store cafés during the school holidays this year.