Groceries

These days, everyone is trying to get the best value they can when they shop, especially on everyday items like groceries and food. Shops now heavily advertise their price cuts and competition on prices between shops means that there's good value out there for consumers who look for it.

Thinking about the way you shop and changing your behaviour can result in savings. Remember:

By researching and planning ahead you should be able to make savings without cutting back on the quantity or quality of what you buy.
The only way you can really be sure you are getting the best value is to do your own research on prices and to shop around.
Very often you may find that the quality of discounted or own-brand goods is the same, or even better than the more expensive item you'd normally buy – So the best value doesn't mean you have to compromise on the quality of the goods you buy.

Here are some easy ways to help manage your weekly food bill:

Shop around

Our Grocery Price Surveys have shown that the best way to get the best prices is through shopping around and spreading your spend across a range of different stores.
Small local shops may offer convenience for consumers, which is great, but you may find prices are that little bit higher to pay for that local convenience.
On the other hand, savings you might hope to make on a trip to an out-of-town discount store should be balanced against the cost of getting there and back.
Shopping around and planning your spend should also help you avoid "grab-and-go" shopping which can work out to be very expensive.
You can also check the larger shops' own websites or use online comparison sites to check prices before you go shopping.

Check the unit price

Always check the unit price of what you are buying to work out the best value for you.
Buying another size (sometimes even the smaller size) may represent better value overall.
Some items are typically cheaper when bought in bulk, but this only makes sense, value-wise, if you're going to use it up before it goes off.
Smaller items such as vegetables can work out more expensive when bought pre-packed under cellophane than if you buy them by the kilo from the "loose" vegetable section.

Make fresh meals from scratch and buy in season

Take-away, frozen, pre-packed or ready-meals can work out a lot more expensive than making fresh meals yourself
If you don’t have time to cook every day, make several meals at the one time and freeze them
Meals made from scratch are generally healthier too
Buying raw, whole fruit and vegetables can be a lot cheaper than buying prepared ones – as you are paying for someone else to chop and wash it for you
Fruit and vegetables can be more expensive when bought out of season and are usually imported
Buying seasonal fruit and veg means you get the best quality locally produced food at a lower price, and you help support Irish producers. To find out what is in season visit Bord Bia’s Best in Season website

Buy only what you need

Don't buy too much of items that may go off.
Plan meals and make a shopping list of what you need
Check if the items you are buying are suitable for home-freezing.
Keep an eye on "use by" and "best before" dates on food packaging even after you've bought it. If it looks like you're not going to use it before that date, freeze it for use at a later date.

Buy discounted items and look for special offers

Keep an eye on the discount cabinet in your local shops for special deals.
Be cautious about two-for-one offers - consider when you might use the second item and if it is suitable for home-freezing.
Most supermarket and many local shops advertise their special offers in the media, on their website and in flyers dropped through your door. These can help you compare deals across a number of shops in your area choose what to buy and where before you leave the house.

Don't be a brand slave

You don’t have to stick with the same brand of particular products day in, day out!
Ask yourself whether your usual brand offers you fair value.
The best-known brands can be the most expensive, but this does not necessarily mean that they are "better" in some way than others.
Check out if there are alternatives to your usual brands.
Savings can be made by choosing a less well known or own brand label.

Use coupons wisely

Coupons can save you money - but don't buy products you don't need just because you have a coupon.
You can find coupons on the back of receipts from most of the major supermarkets and on various websites.
Watch out for special offers and two-for-one deals on products you regularly use, and stock up when your items are on special offer.

Earn with loyalty cards (or even just with loyalty!)

Never let a loyalty card scheme make the decision on where to shop for you – they can be useful but they should never become the only reason to shop somewhere.
Some can allow you to accumulate points, which entitle you to money-off vouchers for the same store.
Be aware that the store collects your personal data and shopping details and may use it for marketing and research purposes.
Don't believe that the best value is always to be had from the biggest chains.
Knowing the prices for everyday items will help you compare and contrast offers from across the range of retailers.