The majority of shoppers will be more careful about spending money in the future than they are currently regardless of economic recovery, according to research published by grocery analyst IGD.

More than half (54%) will be more careful, with 5% saying they will be more frivolous, while 39% do not think they will change.

When asked how they predicted grocery shopping in 2012, beyond the recession, nearly a fifth (37%) expect to be buying more local and regional food, while 34% would look for food with higher animal welfare standards and 31% expected to buy more fair trade products.

IGD chief executive Joanne Denney-Finch said: “Shoppers expect to be more careful in making their choices than today. That doesn’t mean trading down - at least according to shoppers. Almost half expect to enjoy a better quality of food by 2012, with only 7% expecting it to be worse.”