The Sydney Morning Herald logo
Advertisement

Why you should shop on a Monday, and other grocery tips

Lauren Sams

How much time do you spend at the supermarket? And how much do you actually like it? According to Woolworths' 2016 Trolley Trend survey, released last week, 12 million shoppers will visit an Aussie supermarket but just under half of us actually like it (which seems about right).

"I can't stand supermarket shopping," says Jeff, 43, an accountant and father, "I will do absolutely anything to get out of it, including feigning sickness."

"I think of the supermarket like an outing," says Zena, 33, "sometimes you just need to get the kids out of the house, even if that does mean throwing them in the trolley and zooming around the supermarket, it helps and it's something to do that's actually useful."

"I only ever do the shopping online," says Lisa, 28, "I'm far too busy to be caught up at the supermarket for hours."

So we all shop differently. How does the rest of Australia do it?

Advertisement

Shop on a Monday

It's the least popular day - only 5 per cent of us regularly shop on a Monday (closely followed by Tuesday at 5.4 per cent). And while just over half of us do our shopping on the same day every week, no prizes for guessing the most popular day. (It's Saturday, with 14.1 per cent of us battling each other on the reg).

Where do we go?

Woolies still leads the pack, with almost 40 per cent of shoppers heading there, and Coles comes in second (with just over 30 per cent). 12 per cent of us shop at ALDI and less than ten per cent go to IGA for the weekly shop. But despite their relatively small market share, IGA has the most loyal customers, with 30 per cent of IGA shoppers saying they exclusively buy at the franchised supermarket. More than three-quarters of us shop at at least two different supermarkets in any average four week period.

"I generally go to Woollies for my big shop, but will pop into my local IGA through the week to pick up items I need on the day," says Zena.

Advertisement
Farmers' market produce versus supermarkets.
Farmers' market produce versus supermarkets. William Meppem

We want healthy, local food

Looks like we're getting responsible, and the healthy, sustainable, environmental message is kicking in. 52 per cent of respondents in a recent Woolworths Trolley Trend survey said buying local was "extremely important" to them, while another 52 per cent said they buy foods from the health food aisle weekly. Almost three-quarters of us spend more time now reading food labels than we did three to five years ago. Roy Morgan research backs this up - almost 90 per cent of Australians said they'd be more likely to buy a product if it were made in Australia. This is up from 85.6 per cent in 2013.

When it comes to health, many of us are worried about one segment of the population in particular: our kids. 68 per cent of those surveyed by Woolworths said they were concerned that kids weren't eating enough fruit and veg (they're right to be worried: studies show that only a third of kids aged 5-11 get the recommended three serves of veg each day). 60 per cent of us are concerned that kids lack basic nutrition knowledge, too.

We want well known brands

Advertisement

Generic brands are down - except for at ALDI, where 63 per cent of shoppers say they buy more "store's own" products than other, better-known brands. More than half of us are buying seafood from supermarkets, and the local butcher is suffering, too - only 18 per cent of us buy meat from the butcher regularly. 75 per cent purchase meat from supermarkets, by comparison. Still, this could be a result of us eating less meat overall - meat consumption fell from 75.6 per cent in 2013 to 70.7 per cent in 2015. Looks like #meatfreemonday worked.

It's not all about the $$$

69 per cent of respondents in the Woolworths survey said buying on discount was important to them, only 58 per cent claimed they took advantage of weekly specials. Just 52 per cent write shopping lists. Still, just over half of us bulk buy non-perishables. Stocking for the zombie apocalypse, maybe? And if you can't remember the last time you looked for a discounted movie ticket offer on the back of your docket, you're not the only one - only 22 per cent of shoppers take advantage of shopper docket specials now.

Despite taking way longer, we'd still rather hit the shops than click online for groceries.
Despite taking way longer, we'd still rather hit the shops than click online for groceries. Nick Moir

Online grocery shopping has not taken off

Advertisement

Crazily enough - given that only 47 per cent of us admit to liking the weekly shop - only 3 per cent of us do our grocery shopping online. The figure - about 398,000 Aussies - is up dramatically, though, from 169,000 people in 2011. Women are twice as likely to shop online than men are.

How to save $$$ at the checkout

Though the days of the shopper docket may be over, it seems we still want to spend less at the checkout. We polled some Good Food readers for the nifty ways they save their dollars when it comes to groceries:

  • Meal planning: "We plan our meals every week, so that we don't overspend at the supermarket. We write a list with exactly what we need and we don't go off-list, ever!" Selene
  • Make do with what you've got: "Once a week, we make a meal using only what's in the pantry," says Naomi. Or go extreme, like Emma and her husband, Matt. "Pretend you're moving house and only cook with what you have. It's so satisfying to clean out the pantry and fridge!"
  • Buy in bulk: "We buy non-perishables like detergent, soap and toiletries in bulk when they're on sale," says Vanessa.
  • Buy the men's version: When it comes to toiletries, Kirstie buys the men's version where possible. "It works out consistently cheaper," she says.
  • Check the price per 100g: "This is the best way to really test value for money," says John. "And it's so easy - the supermarkets put it right on the actual price. Use it, you'll save tons!"
  • Freeze your meals for instant 'take-away.' "We freeze meals we love and then have them on Friday nights instead of takeaway," says Kristy. "It's quicker and cheaper. Just make sure you still have wine!"
  • Don't shop hungry. "My number one tip," says Mark.



The best recipes from Australia's leading chefs straight to your inbox.

Sign up

From our partners

Advertisement
Advertisement