Consuming Interests: Where do you shop? - News and tips for consumers on shopping, saving money, deals and credit

Shopping in Baltimore

A recent survey of Baltimore residents revealed some intriguing stats about shopping patterns within the city.

According to the University of Baltimore poll, commissioned by Mayor Sheila M. Dixon's office,

Shopping trends revealed that most - 46 percent - leave the city when they want to buy consumer goods. Less than 1 percent said they shop online. Dixon wants more stores to open and pointed to her efforts lobbying retailers such as Filene's Basement to stay in the city.

Grocery stores, though, appear to be available, with 78 percent saying they live near a "well-stocked" grocery store.

Retail reporter Andrea Walker said that the supermarket data follows national trends. Generally, most people buy groceries near their homes. Also, more supermarkets have opened in Baltimore, giving people more options.

And, she points out, it's not surprising how many people head to the counties to shop because there are more choices. Let's face it, there aren't any traditional department stores within the city limits --- Filene's Basement is more of an off-price, discount store --- and only one Walmart and Target.

But the overall shopping patterns are pretty fascinating when broken down by race.

According to the final report, about a third shop within their own neighborhoods, and about a quarter of respondents shopped in other parts of the city.

However, more than half of the 18 to 34-year-olds left the city to buy stuff. And only a quarter of African-Americans do the majority of their buying within their own neighborhoods, with nearly half going to the county or suburbs to fill their need for material goods. That contrasts with about 42 percent of white respondents saying they shop near their homes.

So where do you go when you need to get the goods? Do you migrate toward the various meccas of big-box stores and strip centers, most of which fall outside of the Baltimore Beltway? Personally, I *could* walk or drive a few minutes to malls like The Gallery or Mondawmin, but parking might be expensive (when it comes to the Inner Harbor) and they don't always have all the retailers I need.

Then again, I don't always check to see if they do. I think I also assume that prices will be higher at some of these locations because there's less competition or limited selection.

(chart: Baltimore City Citizens Survey, Schaefer Center for Public Policy, October 2009)