Sneaky tricks that supermarkets use. If you avoid them, you can save €1,300 per year

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FAMILIES doing the weekly shopping are being tricked into spending more of their hard-earned cash by devious supermarket tactics.

Price increases have cooled after the painful highs of 2022, but according to the British Retail Consortium, grubbing costs are still rising by six percent per year.

Supermarkets have clever tricks to entice shoppers to pay more each time they visitCredit: Getty

And without even realizing it, you can spend thousands of euros extra every year. But hit the shops with a few tricks up your sleeve and you can beat this.

Chartered psychologist Dr Louise Goddard-Crawley says: “Once consumers understand high street spending pitfalls, they are easier to avoid.”

Here, Lynsey Hope reveals the sneaky techniques retailers can use.

Do not collect items at the counter

IMPULSE purchases are more likely when waiting in line and small, tempting items at the counter can prompt last-minute purchases.

AVOID PRODUCTS AT EYE LEVEL

ITEMS at eye level are more likely to be noticed and purchased, so more expensive products are often strategically positioned here.

Take a moment to look through the shelves; you may find similar or better purchases for a lower price.

Try to avoid the temptation of multi-purchasing, where shoppers end up spending on multiple items when only one is neededCredit: Alamy

BEWARE OF MULTI-DEALS

'BUY one, get one free' offers encourage bulk purchasing and make customers feel like they're getting more bang for their buck, even if they don't need the extra quantity.

Dr. Goddard-Crawley says, “Evaluate whether you really need the extra product, especially if the extra product is going to be put in the back of the cupboard or thrown away.”

AROUND THE PRICE FROM 99 cents UP

CONSUMERS tend to view prices just below a round number as significantly lower, even if the actual difference is minimal. That's why you even see products being sold for €1.98 or €2.99.
Round prices to assess actual costs.

Go to the back of the store

SHOPS try to get customers to stay in the store as long as possible to increase the chance of making a purchase. Richard Curry, head of retail at consultants Rapleys, says: “Supermarkets tend to stock essential items you walk in at the back, so you have to pass attractive offers and displays that tempt you to spend.”

PLEASE NOTE 'LIMITED TIME' OFFERS

RETAILERS use these to create a sense of urgency, encouraging quick decision-making and impulse purchases.

Before you buy anything, take a moment to consider whether the deal is really good. If it's a non-essential item, it might be an idea to do the rest of your shopping first and only go back when you need it.

DO NOT BUY SEASONAL GOODS TOO SOON

ATTRACTIVE window displays and early stocks of seasonal items create a sense of anticipation and urgency to buy, which is why Easter eggs are already in stores.

Richard advises: “Plan your supermarket purchases based on your needs and not the retailer's promotional schedule.”

DOWNSHIFT YOUR BRANDS

PREMIUM products often look the most attractive Nice packaging. Save by reducing just one level of shopping – whether you go from a branded product to the supermarket's premium label alternative, or switch from mid-range to budget.

The Sun regularly samples products and cheaper supermarket versions often win.

CONSIDER loyalty cards

SHOPPERS at Sainsbury's, Tesco and Co-op are paying significantly more for the same items if they are not signed up to the stores' loyalty schemes.

Exclusive prices can mean big savings, so it's worth becoming a member even if you only shop at these stores occasionally.

Be sure to check receipts for home deliveries as replacement items may leave you with unwanted productsCredit: Getty

DODGIE DELIVERY

You can't just catch IT in the shops.

Items ordered online, especially loose fresh goods, are often only given an estimated price at checkout.

Substitutions may also be very different from what you ordered.

This means it's essential to check your final receipt and not be afraid to return items if the cost is higher than expected.

You should also avoid the pressure to unload groceries quickly, missing damaged or spoiled items.

''Smart shopping saved me £25 in the first week – that's £1,300 a year''

Rhiannon Abbott says she knows the supermarket's tactics and regularly saves moneyCredit: DELIVERED

SMALL company owner Rhiannon Abbott avoided sneaky tactics for a week and saved £25.

Rhiannon, 41, who lives in Epsom, Surrey, with her husband and two children aged eight and five, says: “A branded cereal was on offer at the end of the aisle but I found a cheaper own brand version on the market . bottom shelf, which saved me over £1.

“The store took me longer than usual because I was looking around a lot, but once I get used to where to look it won't take that long.

“I also signed up for an Asda loyalty card and got around £2 cashback which I can withdraw from my card next one store.

“A saving of £25 in seven days could add up to £100 a month or £1,300 a year.”

The Department for Work and Pensions will scrap the £20 application fee to use the Child Support Service from February 26.

Currently, only victims of domestic violence and abuse can get compensation waived.

The DWP will also clear existing arrears of £7 or less that parents owe to their ex for their child's living expenses.

DWP Minister Viscount Younger of Leckie said the £20 fee was being abolished “so that no child misses out because their parents cannot afford to apply”.

Child support covers how a child's living expenses are paid when one parent resides elsewhere.

Divorced couples can arrange payments themselves or use the CMS to do it for them. It is often used to help survivors of domestic violence get their fair share of raising their children.

The DWP is still urging parents who want to use the CMS not to delay applying, as the first payment can take up to 12 weeks.

The government is hesitant about 'buy now, pay later' laws

Plans to regulate the Buy Now, Pay Later sector have been postponedCredit: Getty

Shoppers could be left out of pocket after the government postponed plans to regulate the Buy Now, Pay Later sector.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt admitted it is taking “longer than expected” to introduce regulations – and could not confirm whether it would be implemented before the next general election.

There are concerns that BNPL companies could leave the UK as a result of the regulations.

The government fears this could limit shoppers' interest-free options during a cost-of-living crisis.

Stella Creasy, Labor MP for Walthamstow, London, said: “If ministers are concerned BNPL companies will not be able to make a profit if we regulate them, that should set off alarm bells and the public are being treated badly.”

BNPL products allow consumers to defer or spread the cost of purchases over a fixed period of time, interest-free.

But if you cannot afford the refund, you may be charged a late fee.

Because the products are not regulated, companies do not have to follow the same rules as with other credit agreements.

For example, banks must ensure that they do not lend more than customers can afford, but BNPL companies do not have to carry out such strict checks.

As a regulated company, consumers are protected by the Financial Ombudsman Service, but BNPL companies are not covered. Regulatory plans were first announced in 2021.

A Treasury spokesperson said: “We must ensure that regulations are proportionate to ensure borrowers are protected without unnecessarily restricting access.”