Furthermore, men and women differ on what they consider the mostimportant features of supermarkets, according to "Customer Focus2008: Grocery," by Baltimore-based Vertis Communications, aprovider of retail advertising services. In general, the store'sprices and sales are most important to female shoppers, whileconvenience and service matter more to men.

Almost half, 48% of women between the ages of 35 and 49, saidthey valued price-related offerings, such as lowest everydayprices, best-advertised specials and store coupons, the most. Thisgroup of women accounts for 60% of all grocery shopping, accordingto the report.

Nearly as many, 47% of women aged 50 and older, and 46% of thosebetween the ages of 18 and 34, agree. By contrast, whileprice-related offerings are important to approximately 30% of themale shoppers surveyed, 41% of the men aged 18 to 34 said theyvalued convenience, such as proximity to work or home, more thanany other factor.