Shoppers can save money on groceries by following a surprising rule that many people seem to overlook. According to food budget expert Lorna Cooper, the key to finding the lowest prices is to look at the bottom shelves in the supermarket. This advice was put to the test by Emma Gill, a reporter at the Manchester Evening News, who decided to see how much she could save by following the ‘down low’ rule during a big shop at Tesco.
Emma discovered that many shelves in the store were laid out in a way that made it easy to miss the cheaper items, especially for those who are in a rush or shopping with distractions. While there may be a quality difference between some products, many shoppers are willing to give cheaper options a try due to the ongoing cost of living crisis. The price discrepancies between big brand products at eye level and lower-priced alternatives on the bottom shelf were staggering.
For example, Tesco’s long grain rice was priced at £1.25 for a 1kg pack, while the Grower’s Harvest brand offered the same size pack for just 52p. Similarly, Tesco’s own-brand orange or apple juice was £1.25 per litre, whereas the Grower’s Harvest brand on the bottom shelf was only 85p. The same trend was observed with curry sauces, soups, sausages, cheese, chicken breasts, bread, tortilla wraps, chocolate brioche rolls, eggs, and frozen foods.
By opting for cheaper alternatives located on the bottom shelves, shoppers can save a significant amount of money on their grocery bills. This simple strategy can result in savings of over £20 on a single shopping trip. Lorna Cooper emphasized the importance of being aware of shop-floor strategies and checking the entire shelf for lower-priced items, even if they are not at eye level.
In response to inquiries about the placement of cheaper products on lower shelves, Tesco stated that they offer a wide range of products to meet customers’ needs, including branded and own-brand items. With their commitment to providing great value through Aldi Price Match, Low Everyday Prices, and Clubcard Prices, shoppers can be confident that they will find affordable options at Tesco, regardless of how they choose to shop. Next time you’re at the supermarket, remember to look down low for big savings on your grocery bill.
