And this means retailers that aren’t among the top players in their respective channels risk losing their share of shoppers, said “American ShopperScape 2006,” a new report from Retail Forward.

“Consumers’ continuous shopping behavior changes are often driven by factors outside a retailer’s control—their lifestyles change, they move, their tastes change—but also factors within retailers’ control,” said Mandy Putnam, vice president of Retail Forward and author of the report. “Change in shopping behavior is shifting the retail landscape gradually but indelibly. Retailers and their suppliers need to track change in order to remain relevant and participate in shaping the retail landscape.”

The number of stores consumers shop has continued to decrease over the last three years. Rising gasoline prices and online access have helped foster this change, but store promotions and advertising, merchandise selection and customer service assistance also play a role. In fact, 35 percent of shoppers cited pricing changes as the retailer-controlled factor that would most affect their shopping habits.

Nearly 60 percent of consumers changed their shopping behavior to some extent this year, the report said. More “down market” shoppers with annual incomes of less than $22,500 made changes in their shopping behavior and more are shopping less often.

To purchase the complete report, visit www.retailforward.com. [December 2006 PET AGE]