The cost of living crisis has impacted everything from bills to essentials – with the price of everyone’s weekly food shop soaring as some items triple in price.
With inflation onfood and non-alcoholic beverage prices rising by 18.4%,recent data has revealed that three-quarters of people have expressed concern about the cost of their weekly shop.
And given the average Brit makes over 200 trips to the supermarket each year, and spending over £4,200 there, we want to know we’re all getting the most for our money – especially with the rate of inflation keeping prices stubbornly high.
One way you can try and keep costs as low as possible is to do your food shopping on certain days of the week, to take advantage of deals and discounts which might pop up on that day.
Richard Price, owner of online supermarketBritsuperstore, says that the best day to stock up depends on a number of factors.
“The best day of the week and time to do your weekly food shop to save money can vary depending on the store’s specific policies, promotions, and your location.,’ he explains.
However, there are still some specific days he recommends – and others you should avoid.
What are the best days to do your food shopping?
Mr Price recommends that midweek days, from Tuesday to Thursday are often the best days to stock up.
‘Midweek days like Wednesday or Thursday can be good for shopping because many stores release new deals and discounts around this time,’ Mr Price explains.
‘Some stores have special deals and discounts that start on Tuesday. If your local store follows this pattern, Tuesday could be a good day to find discounts on various items.’
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Monday can also be a good time – as there can be bargains to be had from the weekend rush.
‘Some stores mark down perishable items and products with short shelf lives on Mondays to sell them quickly after the weekend. This can be an opportunity to find discounted produce and baked goods,’ he points out.
What are the worst days to do your food shopping?
If you want to avoid crowds and queues, then don’t take your trolley round the supermarket on weekend days.
Mr Price says: ‘Weekends, especially Saturday, tend to be the busiest days for stores. The increased foot traffic can lead to longer checkout lines and a more hectic shopping experience.
‘Additionally, some stores may not have restocked their shelves yet from the weekend rush, so the selection might not be as good.’
When is the best time of day to do your food shopping?
If you want to try and nab yourself a bargain, the best times to go are either first thing in the morning or last thing in the evening. As Mr Price says, that’s when items might be marked down from the night before, or ahead of the next morning.
‘If you can manage to go early in the morning, you might find freshly discounted items from the previous day that the store is trying to sell quickly,’ he suggests.
‘Perishable items like baked goods or produce might be marked down during this time.
‘Similar to early mornings, late evenings before the store closes can be an opportune time to find discounts on perishable items. Many stores mark down items nearing their expiration date to avoid waste.’
Other tips to get the most from your shop
- Use Store Apps and Loyalty Programs – Some stores offer exclusive deals and discounts through their mobile apps or loyalty programs,’ Mr Price says. ‘Check if your favourite store has one and make use of it to save money.
- Avoid Weekends and Holidays – ‘Shopping on weekends or holidays can be crowded, and some stores might not offer significant discounts during these busy times.’
- Compare Prices –It’s worth keeping an eye on prices of different items in different stores – as these can vary. ‘Some stores might consistently have lower prices for certain items,’ Mr Price points out.
- Make a Shopping List – ‘Plan your meals for the week and create a shopping list before heading to the store. Stick to the list to avoid unnecessary impulse purchases.’
- Buy in Bulk (When It Makes Sense):You can definitely save the pennies here, but be sure to check the unit prices to ensure you’re getting a good deal – and obviously this only works if you have the space at home.
- Check for Coupons:‘Look for coupons in newspapers, online coupon websites, or through the store’s app before you go shopping.’
Mr Price adds: ‘Remember that saving money on food isn’t just about the day and time of shopping.
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‘It’s also about smart planning, buying items on sale or in bulk when appropriate, and avoiding wasteful spending.’
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