Prices are only going in one direction at the moment
The weekly food shop is getting more expensive again, with the latest figures showing grocery price inflation has risen for the second month in a row, to 2.5%. It comes as households also face high fuel prices and rising energy bills, and many shoppers are turning to promotions to make their money go further.
Sophie Graham, a personal finance expert at Sunny, is sharing simple ways to keep the cost of the weekly shop down for people shopping in major supermarkets such as Tesco, Asda, Aldi, Lidl, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons, without having to give up the things you enjoy.
Seven ways to save on your weekly food shop
Sophie said: “Grocery prices creeping up again will be frustrating for households already feeling the pinch from fuel and energy costs. When so many costs are rising at once, it’s easy to feel there’s not much you can do about it, but the food shop is one area where small changes can make a real difference.
“You don’t need to completely change the way you eat. A few simple habits, from checking unit prices to planning meals around what’s already in the cupboard, can help bring your spending back under control over the coming months.”
Check the unit price
“The headline price on the shelf doesn’t always tell the full story. Most supermarkets display a unit price on the shelf label, showing the cost per kilogram, litre or item, and it’s the quickest way to compare products properly. You may find that the bigger pack or the multi-buy isn’t the better deal it appears to be, or that a different size works out cheaper.”
Only buy deals you’d have bought anyway
“Promotions can be a great way to save, but a deal is only a saving if it’s something you’d have bought anyway. Multi-buy offers and bulk discounts can easily tempt you into spending more than you planned, and extra food often ends up going to waste. Before putting a deal in the trolley, ask yourself whether it was on your list.”
Try own-brand alternatives
“Swapping a few branded items for supermarket own-label alternatives is one of the easiest ways to save, particularly for staples like pasta, rice, tinned goods and cleaning products. Try switching one or two products at a time. You may find the taste and quality are just as good, while the savings soon add up. Many supermarkets also offer budget ranges that can bring costs down even further.”
Plan your meals and shop with a list
“Planning your meals for the week before you shop means you only buy what you need. Writing a list and sticking to it helps cut down on impulse purchases, which can quickly add up, especially if you’re shopping hungry or in a hurry. It’s also worth choosing meals that share ingredients, so nothing gets forgotten at the back of the fridge.”
Use what’s already in your cupboards
“Before heading to the shop, take a look at what’s already in your fridge, freezer and cupboards. It’s easy to buy duplicates of things you already have, and building a meal or two around what needs using up can noticeably reduce the cost of your weekly shop, as well as cutting down on waste.”
Make the most of loyalty schemes
“Many supermarkets now offer lower prices to loyalty card members, so if you already shop somewhere regularly, it’s worth signing up. However, be wary of letting loyalty prices decide where you shop. A discount at one supermarket isn’t necessarily cheaper than the standard price elsewhere, so it’s worth comparing every now and then.”
Start planning for Christmas and January now
“With Christmas approaching and energy bills expected to rise again in the new year, it’s worth setting a realistic festive food budget now. Picking up a few non-perishable items, like tins, dried goods and festive treats, over the coming weeks can help spread the cost, rather than facing one large bill in December. If you can put aside even a small amount each week between now and January, it will help soften the impact when those bills arrive.”
“Rising prices can feel out of your control, but the food shop is one of the household costs where you have the most choice. Making a few changes now, while there’s still time before Christmas, can help you feel more confident about your finances heading into the new year.”
