Five ways Aussie shoppers are pushing back on increased grocery prices

Errand prices have risen more than 20 percent in the past five years, leaving Aussies struggling to make ends meet.

Yet there are plenty of ways supermarket shoppers can save at check-out.

Here are five proven methods to ensure you pay the lowest possible supermarket prices – and trust me, these strategies work every time.

1. Plan ahead

The first step is planning. Find out what your grocery budget is for that week, fortnight or month and then make a shopping list.

But also take inventory of what you already have.

It’s very helpful to make a meal plan based on what’s in your refrigerator and pantry, and then write down what you actually need.

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Also check out each retailer’s special offers that week, especially when it comes to fruits and vegetables that are in season.

Finally, don’t just make a list, stick to it.

Impulse purchases cost money. If it’s not on your list, don’t buy it, even if it’s on special offer. Often these special offers do not reflect the lowest possible prices.

2. Use AI

AI is now at every stage of the grocery purchasing process, from creating your list to sending you product suggestions and ads for products you might like to buy, based on your past purchases.

Woolies has AI bot Olive, which does many things, including turning recipes into shopping lists, suggesting products based on previous preferences, and finding out the availability of your favorite items.

Coles also uses AI in its app to help customers build lists based on previous purchases and meal plans.

Then there are apps like Half Price and Frugal, which are better for shoppers who want to compare prices, and use AI and data to help you find what you’re looking for.

The Zyft app is also a great tool for finding the lowest prices on individual products

3. Less often larger stores

The latest research shows that Australians are more likely to visit smaller stores than larger, rare stores. But this can cost you money.

Instead, plan a bigger shop – weekly or biweekly, which is ideal – and then you can limit the smaller trips, which usually end up buying stuff you don’t really need.

Weekly shops seem to work best when it comes to bread and milk and fresh fruit and vegetables, but if you prefer to shop biweekly, you can schedule a small weekly shop to stock up on all the fresh stuff.

The more often you go to the shops, the more vulnerable you are to making impulse purchases.

Some shoppers do their shopping online to avoid this, which can work very well, especially if you get a free delivery slot.

4. Cross shopping

This is a very smart way for Australian shoppers to save, and the data shows that cross-shopping is on the rise.

All this means that customers visit multiple stores to do their shopping, instead of doing everything at one supermarket

So some people might visit Coles, Woolies, Aldi and IGA every time they shop to take advantage of all the special offers, most just do two or three different shops.

Others do a big shop at Aldi and Costco fortnightly or monthly, then head to their local Coles, Woolies or IGA for the rest.

5. House brands

Coles and Woolworths have expanded their own brand ranges, and they are excellent.

This is the easiest way to save at the grocery store, especially if you’re short on time and don’t have time to look up who has the lowest prices, or if you don’t have time to visit more than one store.

Just by choosing private labels you will save immediately.

Shoppers are also busy “pantry stocking,” which simply means stocking their pantry with affordable staples so they still have the ingredients for a delicious meal during the weeks when they have less money to spend on groceries.

Lately, supermarkets have been selling a lot of private label rice, pasta, canned sardines, tuna and legumes.

There are some really cool recipes that use these ingredients, along with items you have at home, and these meals can cost as little as $2 or less.

When it comes to fruit and vegetables, consumers are also switching from fresh to frozen, especially when it comes to products that are not in season. These are affordable and of good quality, while also reducing wastage.

6. Flybuys vs Daily Rewards

It’s free to join Coles Flybuys or you can pay $7 for Coles Plus Saver, which gives you a 10 percent discount on one store per month.

You can also join Woolworths Everyday Rewards for free, or subscribe to Everyday Extra for $7 per month.

These plans also come with free delivery and member discounts.

But the free levels are good enough. You’ll still have access to special offers and free delivery slots, and for every 2,000 you’ll get $10 off your purchases.

Today, most people will sign up and use both loyalty programs, because real savings come from paying the lowest possible prices, regardless of the retailer, and not from these membership benefits.

Supermarket apps are the easiest way to find out what’s on sale, although AI also plays a role here with optimized ads and product suggestions.

Again, if it’s not on your shopping list, don’t buy it, even if it’s on special offer. This way you really save.

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