Grocery Shopping Tips

Whether you like grocery shopping or not, most of us agree that grocery shopping is inevitable.  Here are some tips and trivia to help you shop smarter.

Choices: If you feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of choices at your market it’s because the choices are staggering. Seventy years ago grocery stores stocked about 900 items. Today, our large supermarkets carry about 45,000 items. To find the best prices, try looking up high or down low. Marketers spend big bucks to have their items placed at eye level.

Gender: On any given day, about 18% of women shop for an average of 45 minutes, compared to 11% of men who averaged 39 minutes.

Spending: Households spend about 13% of pre-tax income on their food. Interestingly enough, the amount we spend on food is not sensitive to economic fluctuations. Even in times of a recession, demand for food remains relatively stable. That means that shaving money off the grocery budget is one of the best ways to save money overall.

Busiest Times:  Right after work hours, Monday through Friday from 5 to 7 pm are the busiest times to shop, with weekend mornings a close second. Best times to shop are very early in the morning Monday or Tuesday.

Savings: Most consumers save at the supermarket by looking for specials in their local newspapers, participating in in frequent shopper or savings club programs and using coupons. Buying the store brand is gaining in popularity. Using a pricebook is one of the best ways to save big at the grocery store. Shopping online is also a great way to save time and money. Some places that offer groceries are: Amazon, ShopNatural and Natural Grocery. You can obtain bulk discounts and sometimes free shipping with a minimum purchase.

Health: Seven in ten shoppers believe their diets are not as healthy as they should be. But there is a strong upswing in organic and natural food sales, as well as for portion control, showing that concern for ones health is affecting the market considerably. 22% are eating less red meat, 22% are eating fewer fats and oils, 18% are buying fewer snack or junk foods and 9% are eating less salt.

The best ways to shop are with a list, armed with plenty of coupons. Never go on an empty stomach. And don’t forget to look at the lower and topmost shelves. That’s where you’ll find the best deals.