Five tips to avoid ‘bogus’ supermarket deals

Image by Bruce Turner via flickr

An investigation by the BBC’s Panorama program on four of the UK’s biggest supermarkets suggests that supermarket deals are not always what they seem. According to the show, which airs on BBC 1 tonight, 05 December, consumers are being duped by more expensive deals that on the surface promise to save them money.

So how do you spot the good deals and avoid the ones that end up costing us money? Here are our top five tips for avoiding supermarket deals that could end up costing you more:

1. Check price per kilo

Often supermarkets will offer fruits and vegetables in packets or bundles. However, sometimes the same items can be cheaper when bought loose. To make sure the packaged goods are better value for money, check the price per kilo of the loose items against the cost of the packaged product.

2. Bigger packs aren’t always better value

Sometimes it can actually be cheaper to buy multiples of smaller packets than the largest version. For example, the investigation found in Asda a 1 kilo tub of Clover spread was priced at £3.20, which worked out 20 pence more than buying two 500 gram tubs of the same.

3. Are there actual savings to be made?

Just because the label says two for £2, doesn’t necessarily mean you are saving money – and sometimes you can end up paying the same more! Before you purchase multiples of any products as part of a deal, make sure you check the unit price first. This will also help you to save food waste.

4. Check the old price

Many supermarket offers are based on a price reduction. However, the investigation has shown that sometimes supermarkets will temporarily increase prices before they make a reduction. It’s therefore worth trying to keep track of the price of the items you purchase most frequently.

5. Stick to your shopping list

The easiest way to avoid supermarket deals that don’t actually save you money is to simply stick to your shopping list. Also, next time you go shopping take a calculator with you as it will make checking all those deals a little easier.