NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
More and more men have taken on the job of grocery shopping.
A survey by Yahoo, based on interviews last year of 2,400 U.S. men ages 18 to 64, finds about 51% of men say they are the primary grocery shopper.
About six in 10 men say they are their household's decision maker on packaged goods, health, pet and clothing purchases.
On a visit to the Kroger store in Donelson Friday afternoon, there were far more men than women walking down the aisles and taking carts to the checkout lines.
Sean Drudge told Nashville's News 2 because he and his wife have a nine-month-old child, she has her hands full.
Besides, he said, he likes it.
Drudge said, "I like looking for deals, and I like knowing what I have in the cupboard when I get home."
Steve Pedigo said he does about 90% of the grocery shopping in his family because he is retired and has the time.
"I hurry up and get the job done. She won't go unless it's something she's wanting that I won't buy," Pedigo said.
Jack Crouch, who was pushing a cart filled with groceries out of the store, told Nashville's News 2, it's become his job.
"She makes the list, and I buy the groceries," he said. "I don't mind coming. I'm retired, and I come out here and just hang out. See some people we know. Visit. I kind of like it."
Other studies found only 35% of men do the shopping, but that's more than double the 14% from 1985.
The Yahoo survey suggests most of the men doing the shopping have recently changed their marital status or have retired.
Men shop differently than women.
One survey shows that women spend more time in the stores while men typically go and get the specific items they need, and then leave.
They may make multiple trips to the store during the week.
Supermarket chains are listening, and some are planning to tweek their marketing strategy and store layout to appeal to men.
The Chicago Tribune reported that Procter & Gamble Co. has been testing "man aisles" since 2009.
The company even plans to expand the idea into some Wal-Mart, Target and Walgreens stores in the U.S. and Canada this year.
