So, to save money on one of your most expensive weekly costs, you’ve got to become a smart supermarket shopper. First, you need to ‘know your enemy’.

Know Your Enemy

Layout
Designed to keep you interested and to keep you in, like a Las Vegas casino. This usually means displaying delicious fresh food first followed by the smell…

Smell
Three words - freshly baked bread.

Loss Leaders
These are items reduced below the profit margin to draw you in, either through advertising, or internally throughout the store - the gamble the supermarket makes is that they can be pretty certain you’ll buy something else that delivers them profit whilst you’re there.

Packaging
Bright, garish, over-sized packages that say “pick me, pick me!”

Check-Out
Whilst many supermarkets have removed chocolates and sweets from their counters to protect children’s teeth (and parents’ ears), these have been replaced with small everyday items such as batteries, air fresheners and sellotape. Also, offers of other services that the supermarket can provide, including credit cards, loans and insurances, are displayed.

Become a Smart Supermarket Shopper

Shopping List
Always write one, and stick to it religiously. Only buy what you need - simple but effective.

Eat
Eat before you shop. This way, your hunger won’t tempt you into making unnecessary purchases.

Seasonal
Buy seasonal products. They will be cheaper when they are at their most abundant - in season.

Counter v Pre-packed
Compare prices of products available in the fresh food counters to the pre-packed varieties on the shelves.

Branded v Own Label
Own labels don’t mean poor quality. Often, own labels are made in the same factories as the leading brands. Try a few, find out what you like, and remember the next time you shop - you could save a small fortune.

mySupermarket.co.uk

You can save more money by supermarket shopping online. If you use mySupermarket.co.uk, you can compare prices between leading supermarkets and they will help you select the cheapest option. Once you’ve done this, mySupermarket.co.uk will make further suggestions to help you save money on your shopping list.