Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

To observe selected aspects of consumers' attitudes and behaviour over a period centred on Decimal Day to assess the effects of decimalization on people's consumption patterns.

Main Topics:

Attitudinal/Behavioural Questions 1. Shop Survey (January, February and March) Questions about specific product types, respondent's purchasing intentions before entering shop, respondent's actual purchases in shop, respondent's usual purchasing behaviour, reasons for change. Whether change in price of groceries noted over previous month, change in amount of housekeeping money over previous month, knowledge of new currency. 2. Home Survey (January, February, March and September) Questions about specific product types: brand bought, price, where bought, willingness to pay specified prices for goods. Knowledge of old and new prices for bread, butter and meat, opinion on whether decimalization had resulted in price increases, action taken to cope with rising prices, change in price of groceries noted over previous month, change in housekeeping money over previous month. Background Variables Age, marital status, size of household, household composition, employment status. Information collected about head of household: occupation; industry and social class.

Simple random sample

One-stage stratified or systematic random sample

The shop survey was conducted using a simple random sample and the home survey using a one-stage stratified or systematic random sample.

Face-to-face interview