Grocery price inflation has climbed to 2.5%, marking the second consecutive monthly rise, as households also contend with high fuel prices and rising energy bills. Many shoppers are turning to promotions to stretch their budgets further.
Expert shares seven ways to save on the weekly shop
Sophie Graham, a personal finance expert at Sunny, is offering simple strategies to help shoppers at Tesco, Asda, Aldi, Lidl, Sainsbury's and Morrisons keep costs down without giving up the foods they enjoy.
Graham said: "Grocery prices creeping up again will be frustrating for households already feeling the pinch from fuel and energy costs. When so many costs are rising at once, it's easy to feel there's not much you can do about it, but the food shop is one area where small changes can make a real difference."
She added: "You don't need to completely change the way you eat. A few simple habits, from checking unit prices to planning meals around what's already in the cupboard, can help bring your spending back under control over the coming months."
Check unit prices and be selective with deals
Graham advises shoppers to check the unit price on shelf labels rather than relying on headline prices. "Most supermarkets display a unit price on the shelf label, showing the cost per kilogram, litre or item, and it's the quickest way to compare products properly. You may find that the bigger pack or the multi-buy isn't the better deal it appears to be, or that a different size works out cheaper."
She also warns against buying deals that weren't planned. "Promotions can be a great way to save, but a deal is only a saving if it's something you'd have bought anyway. Multi-buy offers and bulk discounts can easily tempt you into spending more than you planned, and extra food often ends up going to waste. Before putting a deal in the trolley, ask yourself whether it was on your list."
Try own-brand items and plan meals
Swapping branded products for supermarket own-label alternatives is one of the easiest ways to save, particularly for staples like pasta, rice, tinned goods and cleaning products. Graham suggests trying one or two products at a time, noting that taste and quality may be just as good while savings add up. Many supermarkets also offer budget ranges that can reduce costs further.
Planning meals for the week before shopping ensures you only buy what you need. Writing a list and sticking to it helps cut down on impulse purchases, especially when shopping hungry or in a hurry. Choosing meals that share ingredients also prevents items being forgotten at the back of the fridge.
Use what you have and leverage loyalty schemes
Before heading to the shop, check what's already in the fridge, freezer and cupboards. Buying duplicates of items you already have is easy, and building meals around what needs using up can noticeably reduce the weekly shop while cutting waste.
Many supermarkets now offer lower prices to loyalty card members, so it's worth signing up if you shop regularly at one store. However, Graham cautions against letting loyalty prices dictate where you shop. "A discount at one supermarket isn't necessarily cheaper than the standard price elsewhere, so it's worth comparing every now and then."
With Christmas approaching and energy bills expected to rise again in the new year, Graham recommends setting a realistic festive food budget now. Picking up non-perishable items like tins, dried goods and festive treats over the coming weeks can spread the cost rather than facing one large bill in December. Putting aside even a small amount each week between now and January will help soften the impact when bills arrive.
"Rising prices can feel out of your control, but the food shop is one of the household costs where you have the most choice. Making a few changes now, while there's still time before Christmas, can help you feel more confident about your finances heading into the new year."
