Supermarket Tips: How to Save Big on Your Grocery Shopping

Supermarket spending can be one of the largest weekly expenses for most UK households. However, with smart planning and a few simple tricks, you can slash your food bill without compromising on quality or nutrition. Whether you’re feeding a family or living solo, these tried-and-tested supermarket tips can help you shop smarter and save consistently.

Plan Before You Shop

A little preparation can go a long way. Walking into a supermarket without a list or clear plan can lead to impulse purchases and overspending.

• Write a shopping list based on what you already have and what you truly need.

• Plan meals for the week to avoid buying items you won’t use.

• Check supermarket flyers online before heading out to see what’s on promotion.

Websites like MySupermarketCompare help compare prices across stores before you leave your house.

Understand Supermarket Pricing Tricks

Supermarkets are designed to encourage more spending. Recognising their strategies can help you resist unnecessary purchases.

• End-of-aisle displays are often promotions paid for by brands, not always the best deals.

• Eye-level shelves usually feature pricier brands—look up or down for budget options.

• Larger trolleys make your shop look emptier, nudging you to buy more.

Sticking to a basket instead of a trolley when buying only a few items is a simple way to avoid adding extra things you don’t need.

Time Your Shop Strategically

Supermarkets reduce prices on short-dated items at specific times each day. Knowing when to shop can lead to major savings.

Note that timing varies by location, so it’s worth observing your local branch over a few days.

Shop Own Brands and Value Ranges

Supermarket own-label products are often just as good as—or even made by—the same companies behind big-name brands.

• ‘Essential’, ‘Basics’, or ‘Smart Price’ ranges can be up to 70% cheaper.

• In many blind taste tests, own-label foods outperform premium brands.

• Items like pasta, rice, tinned tomatoes, and cereal are virtually identical in taste and quality.

Tesco’s “Exclusively at Tesco” and Sainsbury’s “Stamford Street” are examples of high-quality budget alternatives.

Make the Most of Loyalty Schemes

Every major UK supermarket has a loyalty programme that offers personalised discounts, cashback, or points.

Use your loyalty card at checkout and keep an eye on app-exclusive deals.

Use Cashback and Voucher Apps

Saving doesn’t stop at the till. Cashback apps and voucher platforms let you earn money back or reduce costs after purchase.

• CheckoutSmart – Upload receipts for cashback on selected products

• GreenJinn – Weekly offers on fresh food and household items

• Shopmium – Free product trials and money-back offers

• TopCashback – Extra cashback on online grocery orders

Download multiple apps and scan all available offers before you shop. Often, the same product appears on more than one app for double cashback.

Buy in Bulk (When It Makes Sense)

Buying in bulk can be a money-saver—but only if the items are shelf-stable and used regularly.

• Bulk-buy toilet rolls, washing powder, pasta, and tinned goods

• Freeze extra bread, meat, or grated cheese if bought in large packs

• Avoid bulk buying fresh produce unless you can preserve or use it quickly

Always check the unit price per 100g/ml to ensure bulk deals offer genuine value.

Avoid Pre-Chopped and Pre-Packaged Goods

Convenience comes at a cost. Pre-sliced, pre-marinated, or pre-packaged items are usually far more expensive per gram.

• Buy whole carrots, lettuce, or butternut squash instead of pre-cut bags

• Skip ready-to-cook meals and make your own using basic ingredients

• Opt for block cheese over grated to save around 30% on average

This tip alone could save a typical household £200–£300 per year.

Freeze and Preserve Wisely

One of the biggest sources of waste—and unnecessary spending—is spoiled food. Get into the habit of freezing items before they go off.

• Freeze bread, wraps, herbs, chopped onions, and even milk

• Batch-cook meals and freeze individual portions

• Use ice cube trays for herbs in oil, tomato paste, or leftover wine

Label everything and keep a freezer inventory to avoid forgotten bags at the bottom.

Use Supermarket Price Match Policies

Some supermarkets offer price matching with competitors, which can ensure you never overpay.

• Tesco matches Aldi on thousands of items via their Clubcard Prices

• Sainsbury’s has previously run Aldi Price Match campaigns

• Asda offers rollback pricing and Aldi Price Match on selected items

Always check shelf labels and online tools to compare before assuming the lowest price.

Shop Online to Avoid Impulse Buys

While delivery charges can seem off-putting, shopping online reduces the chances of adding items you don’t need.

• Many supermarkets offer free delivery on larger orders or through delivery passes

• Substitutions can be rejected if they’re not suitable

• Easily track your basket total as you shop

Try Ocado or Iceland for frequent new-customer discounts.

Final Thoughts

Cutting down on your grocery bill doesn’t mean sacrificing quality or variety. With the right combination of preparation, tools, and awareness, anyone can reduce their supermarket spending significantly.

Use this guide as your shopping blueprint, keep experimenting with different strategies, and always stay informed about new deals or app-based rewards. Over the course of a year, these small savings can easily add up to hundreds of pounds in your pocket—without changing what you eat or how you live.