As supermarket-savvy sisters, we’re spilling the beans on everything you need to know about being a smart supermarket shopper (say that three times fast).
- The handles of shopping carts (think: chicken juice, baby drool, to say nothing of viruses) have more germs and are dirtier than public toilets. Give a swipe with sanitizing wipes.
- Misting water on produce doesn’t keep fruits and vegetables fresher longer…in fact, they rot faster. As well, while the water makes the produce look sparkly, it also adds weight – shake off those leafy greens before checking out.
- You aren’t shrinking – grocery carts are getting larger. Studies show that people buy 40% more when shopping with a large cart. You don’t need to fill your cart (or try shopping with a hand basket).
- Ditch items early – 60% of shoppers off-load products at checkout and as a result, supermarkets are making checkout lanes narrower with less shelf space.
- Buy your seafood frozen. At the seafood counter, the “previously frozen” products are same as in freezer aisle, just marked up by about 40%. Another bonus of thawing it yourself – it’ll be fresher.
- Look high and low – eye level products are usually the most expensive. As well, products for kids are usually placed at kid’s eye level.
- Bulk up – buying from the bulk bins is less expensive and they’re also replenished more often.
- You pay for convenience – those cut up carrots, lettuce and shredded cheese will be a lot more expensive than the whole items. For example, a 6-ounce bag of shredded carrots for $1.50, is almost 5 times as much on a unit-cost basis, as a bag of whole carrots.
- Grocery stores have some subtle ways to get you forget how long you’ve been there and lull you into slowing down – like casinos, few have windows or clocks, and almost all play music with a beat lower than the average heart rate. Wear headphones and listen to upbeat music while you shop.
- Hate crowds? Only 4% of shoppers hit the aisles after 9pm. What’s the least crowded day of the week? Wednesday.