06
2012
At the Supermarket, Which “Deals” Are Really Deals?
Posted by Rachel S. with 5 Comments
Image source: Kaizo.net
Now more than ever, you’ve got to be careful how you spend your pence. Your supermarket is already increasing prices and this may be just the beginning. A disastrous drought blighted crops in the states and will soon send our food prices skyrocketing! Prices on bread and pasta are expected to increase dramatically. Meat prices will be hit hard as well because corn crops used to feed herds will be much more expensive.
American farmland totalling the size of Switzerland has been abandoned and 35 of 50 states have been declared disaster areas due to the devastating droughts. Crop news isn’t any better here at home, but for the opposite reason – too much rainfall. Whilst the US suffers a historically bad drought, our crops have been pummeled with torrid rainfall and suffered from ongoing lack of sun. Potatoes, peas and other veg we’ve usually bought locally must now be imported from South American and South African regions to stock the UK supermarket sector.
Image source: JCpost.com
British Retail Consortium spokesperson said, “The drought is not yet having an impact but it will work through to meat prices because of the price of animal feed and ultimately to things such as bread and pasta.” The drought may not be driving prices up, but something is – beef prices are up nearly 19%, frozen peas up nearly 9%, carrots up 7%, tomatoes nearly 3% and apples just over 1%. Some of these rises well exceed what can be explained away by inflation and may just be profit-seeking behaviour by your supermarket.
With households predicted to have £50 less disposable income this year and £200 next year, this bad news on the food frontier may push many to the breaking point. Tory MP Laura Sandys says rising food prices are already hitting at-risk families hard. Sandys warned, “Sometimes parents are skipping meals regularly just to feed their children.” She’s calling on the supermarket industry to prioritise the nation’s nutrition over profits.
Image source: Blog.profitero.com
With prices already rising, what you can afford to buy on your food budget will become increasingly less at your supermarket. It’s important to spend wisely, shop sales and get the most for your pence. A new tool offered by mySupermarket.co.uk may be a great tool to ensure that you are getting the best buy for your money.
You’ve seen all the clever signage at the supermarket promising low price guarantees, BOGOF deals, 3 for 2 deals and 50% off deals. But are these deals really deals? Or are they just smoke and mirrors designed to trick you into thinking you’re getting the best bargain? mySupermarket’s tool breaks down the “special offer” deals at major supermarkets and compares them to every day prices and specials so you can see what really is the best price available for what you need.
Image source: Telegraph.co.uk
mySupermarket’s “savvy buys tool” compares regular and sales prices at Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys, Ocado and Waitrose. James Foord, spokesman for mySupermarket says, “Shoppers often complain to us about feeling left in the dark about supermarkets pricing around offers.”
Image source: Dailymail.co.uk
Your supermarket may not want you to use this tool and shops are vigorously defending their pricing strategies. A Sainsbury’s rep says people don’t need to comparison shop because “Our Brand Match technology ensures people won’t pay more for their branded basket compared to Asda and Tesco, including all offers and promotions.” Yet two recent comparisons from mySupermarket’s new tool showed Wolf Blass red wine and Muller Fruit Corner yogurt both cheaper at a competing supermarket.
Tesco’s take is: “We offer hundreds of promotions across our stores and always aim to offer customers unbeatable value to help them save money.” That may be the company line, but Tesco was drastically more expensive than almost any other supermarket in this comparison for dishwasher tablets.
Image source: Dailymail.co.uk
With food prices expected to be on the rapid rise shortly, this tool may be a great help to those already finding it hard to stretch their budget to include all you need each month. The savings tool is available on mySupermarket.co.uk or is available as a free app. Every little bit of savings you can eke out at your supermarket will help!
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Asda’s usually lower, but it’s not always convenient to get by there. Wish my corner shoppe had better prices.
I know they make it confusing on purpose. I’ll try the tool and see if it gives me some clarity so I can feel good about what I’m paying.
I feel like they intentionally try to make it hard to figure out prices – if it’s a 2 for 1 deal, I can figure that, but if it’s buy 2 get 1 or 3 for 5 pounds, it’s a hassle to know what I’m paying per each.
Living in Moray, Scotland, I found this page by clicking on a link from Linkedin. Very Happy I did. Interesting topic, and great resource. Keep up the Good Work.
Supermarkets try to trick you into buying most expensive, highest profit items.