from reuters.com: Consumers “have gotten really good over these last four years at stretching a penny,” said Pat Conroy, leader of the U.S. consumer products practice at Deloitte LLP. Referring to the recession, he said, “Our hypothesis was that this thing was going to leave a scar, not a bruise. So far, we’ve been right.” According to Deloitte’s annual survey of food shoppers released last week (PDF), 94 percent agreed they would remain cautious and keep spending at the same level even if the economy improves. That’s about the same percentage as it was in 2010 in the aftermath of the credit crisis.