LONDON - Shoppers plan to reduce the number of shopping trips they make if petrol prices continue to increase, especially if they live in the north of England. The latest IGD ShopperVista research published yesterday shows that 53% said they would shop less frequently to save on the number of journeys they make if the cost of filling up at the pumps keeps rising.

Forty-eight percent plan to use grocery stores nearer to them to save on petrol costs, while 32% would consider doing more online food shopping to save on petrol costs. Northern shoppers are more likely to shop less frequently if petrol prices continue to rise.

"Most of us are feeling the squeeze from several directions: wages are barely increasing, if at all, while our bills continue to rise," said Joanne Denney-Finch, chief executive at IGD, in a press release. "A major and regular cost for motorists is refueling their cars and they are clearly concerned about how this will impact on their finances. If petrol prices continue to rise, more people might think twice before making a journey by car.

"But shoppers are not taking things lying down and instead are planning several ways to minimize the impact. Nearly half of them, especially younger ones and those in the Midlands, said they will use shops nearer to them to save on petrol costs. This intention to use more local shops could potentially provide a boost to convenience stores. Despite the worries about the cost of fuel, people tell us they will prioritize petrol and groceries, cutting back what they spend in other areas," said Denney-Finch.