Ways Canadians Can Save at the Grocery Store

Produce in a grocery store in Toronto on Nov. 30, 2018. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press)

The cost of groceries continues to rise, according to Statistics Canada, causing Canadians to search for new ways to save.

StatCan says grocery prices rose 1.5 percent in May, up from the 1.4 percent increase consumers saw in April. That’s part of the 22.5 percent increase customers have seen on food prices since 2020.

Food Banks Canada says one in four Canadians is experiencing food insecurity, with many provinces getting a poor grade on poverty reduction efforts.

For those looking to cut back on costs at the grocery store, here are some tips that can help before and during a shopping trip.

Meal Planning

Saving money on groceries begins before you leave home, by planning what food you’ll be eating over the next few weeks, according to savings expert Anne Arbour, director of partnerships and education at the Credit Counselling Society.

“The biggest thing we always espouse is meal planning,” she told The Epoch Times in a phone interview. “Really taking a look at the week ahead, whether that’s a week or two weeks, depending on how you shop, and plan.”

Ms. Arbour said the meal plan does not need to be rigid, but meal planning helps consumers create a shopping list they can stick to in the store.

Flyers

Both paper and digital flyers alert shoppers to special promotions and discounts at local grocery stores, which can be a cost saver, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISEDC) advised. Customers can review flyers to plan out where they want to shop, and what deals they can expect.

Some stores also offer to match competitors’ prices, allowing customers to bring the flyer to their usual store to get the lower price on an item. It’s best to check with your local grocery stores to see if they offer this promotion.

Coupons

Another great way to save at the checkout is to use coupons, Ms. Arbour said.

Coupons can be found on apps, brand websites, and in some grocery stores. Using coupons can help Canadians cut costs on their bills while still buying the items they need.

“You can go to the manufacturers’ websites themselves, so Procter and Gamble in particular, you can go and essentially sign up see what coupons are available, and just pick the ones that you want, the things that you'll use,” she said.

She also recommended calling to offer feedback to product manufacturers, which can result in a reward such as a coupon.

“The worst thing they can say is no; it was a two-minute phone call, but they might send you a coupon for a free product,“ she said. ”It’s a pretty good return on your investment of time.”

Price Tracking Apps

These apps track the prices of products at various retailers, alerting customers where to get the best deal, ISEDC said.  They use location-specific information to help shoppers find the best price at local shops. Canadians can use the apps to plan out their shopping trips before they leave home by checking to see where the products they need to buy are at the lowest price.

“This can help you spend less overall and save you from running from store to store to discover the best prices, which can result in saving your time,” ISEDC said.

Loyalty Programs

Many retailers offer a loyalty program for shoppers, where you can collect points while spending money at the store. Those points can be redeemed for future purchases, so consumers can get some money off their sales bill. Check out the programs at your local grocery stores, but beware of the fine print, the government said.

“Check the terms and conditions of these programs for ‘use them or lose them’ clauses on points,” ISEDC said. “Your points might lose their value over time if the company changes their redemption policy.”

Saving Stacking

Sometimes customers can even stack all the deals together, Ms. Arbour said.

With popular apps like Flipp, “you can see what’s on sale, but they'll also point out and highlight where there are coupons available,” she said. “So if you can get something on sale, plus you have a coupon on your phone or on paper ... and then potentially use a loyalty card or something like that to get some benefit from it, you can stack up all those benefits.”

Food Waste-Saver apps

Another way to cut costs at the grocery store is through waste-saving apps. These digital tools help stores advertise discounts on foods nearing expiration dates. Shoppers can save up to 50 percent on the cost of the item, the grocery store prevents unnecessary food waste, and everyone wins.

Stay Focused

Ms. Arbour cautioned shoppers to stick to items they know they will use and not get distracted by special offers or discounts.

“Gamification is all fun and games until it drives you to purchase things that you wouldn’t normally purchase or consume, and if you end up not consuming and wasting them, then it’s just wasted.”

She also noted that those looking to save money are not alone.

“Groceries went up again, and food inflation is real, and it hits all of us,” she said, adding shoppers should research different ways to cut costs.

“But if it is really affecting you in a serious way, understand that there is help out there for anyone whose budget is not going as far as it used to,“ she said. If the situation is becoming increasingly stressful, she suggests ”reaching out to a not-for-profit credit counseling agency, just for some fresh eyes and help.”

The Credit Counselling Society has plenty of tips, resources, and webinars to help people battle their debt, she said.