Men now spend more on food than women

Marketers would be wise to target the male shopper as new opportunities open up with new research revealing men have overtaken women on food spending.

Men spend £343 (€502) a month, compared to £341 indulged by women, finds a survey commissioned by chilled foods firm Geest.

The surveyof 1000 UK consumers in July this year confirms the evident; that the majority of 'food pounds' are spent at the supermarket.

Men now part with £214 on the monthly shop, (up £20 on last quarter), compared with women's £218 (up £4 on last quarter).

Next up on the expenditure stakes is eating out; with men spending £29 per month, and women £28 a month.

Men are also the biggest spenders on take aways, spilling out £19 for a quick feed compared with £13 for women.

They are also prepared to spend slightly more than women on snacks. Parting with £10, instead of the lady's £9 contribution.

While grocery shopping accounts for 43 per cent of retail spend on the High Street, online sales have yet to kick off.

Men will spend an average of just £8 a month buying food on the internet, and women will spend £7.