Plus, twelve alternative ways to save at the supermarket without the hassle of using coupons
Yonkers, NY – In a new national survey about shopping and saving on groceries featured in the September 2014 issue of ShopSmart, from Consumer Reports, 28 percent of women said they can’t be bothered with coupons, and 15 percent called them a “necessary evil.”
So for those who don’t like dealing with coupons, ShopSmart has identified 12 coupon-free strategies that can help shoppers save at the supermarket – as a price scan by secret shoppers revealed it’s all about where consumers shop, and what they buy.ShopSmart’s money-saving tips include using “loyalty cards” regularly, trying more store brands, hitting the deli counter for meats and cheeses – which can save shoppers up to 30 percent – and shopping at big-box stores and dollar stores.
“If coupons just aren’t your thing, don’t worry because there are lots of other smart ways to shop,” said Lisa Lee Freeman, editor-in-chief of ShopSmart. “And, if you’re among the 10 percent of women who are self-described coupon queens, keep it up!”
ShopSmart asked 1,008 adult women across the U.S. how they like to shop and save on groceries. Findings suggest women are still interested in saving a dollar when hitting the supermarket – 82 percent say they make a budget for their grocery shopping and stick to it.
The survey also found that to save money, women are buying groceries more often at dollar stores (26%), megastores (24%) and farmers markets (23%) and less often at convenience stores (35%), drugstores (24%), warehouse clubs (23%) and specialty stores (20%).
For the additional survey findings, the full list of tips, apps, and websites to find deals, check out the September 2014 issue of ShopSmart, on newsstands now.
Online Subscription Services
Online subscription services not only save shoppers a trip to the grocery store, but also often come with a discount or other cool extras. ShopSmart recommends the following sites:
- FullCircle.com Subscribers receive weekly shipments of organic produce right to their door or to a convenient pickup location. All items are seasonal and shoppers can customize their box each week. This service is currently available in Washington State, Idaho, Alaska and San Francisco, but is expanding.
- Plated.com Shoppers subscribe to get the ingredients to re-create a chef’s recipe from scratch. Orders include premeasured spices and local and seasonal ingredients when possible.
- Target Subscriptions This new program allows shoppers to have groceries, household basics, and personal care items delivered on a schedule of their choosing. Plus, users save 5 percent on each order and get free shipping.
Compare Unit Prices
Buying small sizes never pays, but sometimes the medium size is as good a deal as the big one. ShopSmart scanned dozens of items, and recommends purchasing the following items and sizes for the biggest savings:
- Heinz Ketchup Buy Big. Shoppers save 43 percent when they purchase a 38-ounce bottle for $3.27 as opposed to a 14-ounce bottle for $2.12 at supermarkets.
- Hellmann’s Mayonnaise Buy Medium or Big. Shoppers save 37 percent when they purchase a 30-ounce jar for $3.78, or a 48-ounce jar for $7.62, versus the 15-ounce jar for $3.02 at Walmart.
- Ziploc Double Zipper Freezer Bags Buy Big. Shoppers can save 28 percent on the gallon-sized bags when they purchase a 30-count box for $5.08 compared to the 15-count box for $3.55 at supermarkets.
Free Apps
To save money online or in the grocery store, ShopSmart recommends the following apps:
- Boxed Best for bulk shopping. Users get access to warehouse prices and sizes without membership fees or long lines. Plus free 2-day shipping. Works on Android and iOS
- Checkout 51 Best for cash back. Shoppers earn rewards for buying items from the featured offers each week, and receive cash back every time you hit $20 in rewards. Works on Android and iOS
- Flipp Best for checking circulars. Bargain hunters can browse store ads for deals; and add the ones they want directly to their shopping list. Works on Android and iOS
About Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports is the world’s largest independent product-testing organization. Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and survey research center, the nonprofit rates thousands of products and services annually. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has over 8 million subscribers to its magazine, website, and other publications.
Its advocacy division, Consumers Union, works for health reform, food and product safety, financial reform, and other consumer issues in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace.
About ShopSmart magazine
Launched in Fall 2006 by Consumer Reports, ShopSmart draws upon the publication’s celebrated tradition of accepting no advertisements and providing unbiased product reviews. ShopSmart features product reviews, shopping tips on how to get the most out of products and “best of the best” lists. It’s ideal for busy shoppers who place a premium on time.
ShopSmart has a newsstand price of $5.99 and is available nationwide at major retailers including Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Kroger, Safeway and Publix. ShopSmart is available by subscription at www.ShopSmartmag.org [1].
ShopSmart is available 10 times a year. Subscribe at www.ShopSmart.org [2].