The change in shopper purchasing patterns in response to the economy goes beyond their in-store behavior.

Seeking the best deals in meat and poultry, the majority of consumers are turning to traditional supermarkets and big box stores for their proteins.

In a January online survey of 500 adults by Bethesda, Md.-based Shugoll Research and Chicago-based Midan Marketing LLC, 65 percent of respondents cited the conventional supermarket as their primary location for meat and poultry purchases.

In addition, 21 percent named mass merchandisers, such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc., as their primary location.

Trailing in popularity were membership club stores, such as Costco Wholesale Inc. and Sam’s Club, which were the primary locations for 7 percent of respondents; butcher shops (3 percent); specialty stores, such as Whole Foods Market Inc. (2 percent); and food co-ops or farmer’s markets (1 percent).

The respondents were geographically and demographically representative of the U.S. population.

Meanwhile, 16 percent noted that over the last year they significantly increased the amount of meat and poultry they purchased at supermarkets, while 17 percent did so at mass-merchandise outlets.

On the flip side, just six percent of consumers indicated that their activity at supermarkets significantly decreased in the last year, while nine percent noted that they made much fewer purchases at mass merchandisers.

Butcher shops, where 22 percent of respondents indicated a big decrease in their meat and poultry buying, took the biggest hit.

Next are specialty food stores (a 21 percent decline), food co-ops or farmer’s markets (17 percent) and club stores (17 percent).

Only 11 percent of consumers indicated they are buying meat and poultry more frequently at club stores, while just 7 percent are doing so at specialty stores; 6 percent at co-ops or farmer’s markets; and 4 percent at butcher shops.

“Consumers are tightening their belts during the downturn,” says Merrill Shugoll, Shugoll Research president. “Two-thirds have made changes to their shopping behavior, which includes a migration to supermarkets and the creation of more meals from scratch.”