MADISON, Wis. – While food prices continue to rise on higher input costs, consumers are doing their best to spend less on staple goods, according to What’s in Store 2012, an annual trends publication of The International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association (IDDBA).

All types of retailers are reacting with more food offerings as shoppers hunt for the best deals to get more bang for their buck. What’s in Store is a secondary research trends report compiled from over 150 credible industry resources.

The US Department of Agriculture’s Consumer Price Index anticipates food prices will climb faster than general inflation. Food-at-home (grocery store) prices are anticipated to rise from 3.5 percent to 4.5 percent, while food-away-from home (restaurant) prices are expected to rise 3 percent to 4 percent, USDA forecasted.

The US food and beverage market is expected to grow from 1 percent to 1.5 percent in 2011 and from 1.8 percent to 2.2 percent in 2012, SymphonyIRI reported.

Consumer attempts to negate higher prices with more frequent, immediate shopping trips for low-value, instant needs is turning the retail world on its head. These fill-in trips are occurring more frequently at supercenters, though routine and stock-up trips are down at those outlets. However, grocery stores are seeing more fill-in, routine, and stock-up trips.

Warehouse clubs see less routine and stock-up trips, but more immediate trips. Supermarkets lost share to non-traditional grocery retailers in 2010 as mass, drug, and dollar formats expanded their food items to attract shoppers. Smaller-format grocery stores, with as few as 10,000-13,000 square feet, are propping up sales and falling in line with the weak economic environment.

Stores expect to have fewer employees, but more affordable prepared foods and service departments. These stores, like WalMart’s Neighborhood Market, are in hip locations in major metropolitan areas. Larger-format stores, such as Target’s PFresh locations, have expanded their grocery layout to include fresh produce and more private label and store-brand food items.

Dollar stores, which saw sales grow by 8.8 percent in 2010, are likely to achieve more gains with newly expanded food selections and private-label products. More online ordering and delivery services are available through supermarket chains.

Even convenience stores have joined the ‘get healthy’ trend by offering juices, fruits, yogurt, nuts and salads.