How to Save Money on Your Weekly Food Shop in the UK

With food prices continuing to squeeze household budgets, saving money on your weekly shop has never been more important. Whether you're feeding a family or living alone, supermarkets are packed with opportunities to overspend — but also ways to save if you know where to look.

This guide is packed with practical, future-proof tips that help UK shoppers reduce their grocery bills without sacrificing quality or nutrition. From savvy planning to in-store strategies and lesser-known discount options, here’s everything you need to know to cut your supermarket costs week after week.

Why Food Shopping Is Getting More Expensive

Before we get into the savings tips, it's worth understanding why your food shop might feel more expensive lately:

• Inflation and supply chain costs: Many food products have seen above-average price increases.

• Shrinkflation: Packaging sizes are getting smaller, but prices aren’t — reducing your value for money.

• Premium branding: Supermarkets are pushing higher-margin ‘luxury’ ranges to increase profits.

The good news? You can take back control with a few strategic adjustments.

Step 1: Plan Ahead to Avoid Waste and Overspending

Impulse buying is one of the biggest drains on your budget. A little preparation goes a long way.

Create a Weekly Meal Plan

• Focus on affordable, flexible meals like pasta, stir-fries, and soups.

• Use ingredients that can be repurposed across multiple meals.

• Factor in your schedule to avoid buying food you won’t have time to cook.

Write a Detailed Shopping List

• Base your list on your meal plan.

• Organise it by supermarket aisle to avoid unnecessary browsing.

• Stick to your list as much as possible.

Read our guide on: How to Create a Budget That Actually Works

Step 2: Choose the Right Supermarket

Not all supermarkets are equal when it comes to price. Here's how to make the most of where you shop:

Switch to Budget Supermarkets

• Aldi and Lidl consistently top price comparison surveys by Which? and other consumer sites.

• These retailers often stock high-quality own-brand alternatives for less.

Use Loyalty Programmes

• Tesco Clubcard, Sainsbury’s Nectar, and Morrisons More can offer substantial discounts on everyday items.

• Look out for member-only pricing and voucher offers.

Shop at the Right Time of Day

• Most supermarkets reduce perishable items in the evenings — sometimes by as much as 75%.

• Yellow sticker deals are ideal for stocking up and freezing.

Read our guide on: Cheapest Supermarkets in the UK

Step 3: Embrace Own-Brand Products

Branded products can cost significantly more without offering better quality.

• Try supermarket own-brand or "value" ranges — many score equally or better in blind taste tests.

• Staples like rice, pasta, beans, tinned tomatoes, and cleaning products often show the biggest savings.

• Premium supermarket brands (e.g., Tesco Finest) may not offer much more than the mid-range version.

Step 4: Use Discount Codes and Cashback Apps

There are more digital tools than ever to help you save at the checkout.

Top Apps and Sites to Use:

• Too Good To Go: Get bags of unsold food from restaurants and supermarkets at steep discounts.

• Shopmium and GreenJinn: Offer weekly grocery cashback deals.

• CheckoutSmart: Upload receipts for cashback on everyday items.

• TopCashback and Quidco: Offer cashback when shopping online for supermarket delivery or meal boxes.

Read our guide on: Best UK Discount Code Websites for Everyday Savings

Step 5: Shop Smarter In-Store

Make sure you don’t fall into common traps designed to make you spend more.

Watch Out For:

• End-of-aisle ‘deals’ — often not the best value per item.

• Multi-buy offers — only buy if you’ll actually use everything.

• Eye-level shelving — supermarkets put the most expensive products where you look first. Check high and low for cheaper alternatives.

Use the Unit Price

• Compare cost per 100g/ml to work out real value.

• Bigger packs aren’t always cheaper — especially if you don’t use it all.

Step 6: Buy in Bulk — But Strategically

Bulk buying can save money, but only if you use what you buy.

• Focus on non-perishables like toilet roll, pasta, rice, tinned food, and freezer staples.

• Look for wholesale options from retailers like Costco or online platforms like Approved Food.

• Check shelf life and storage space at home before buying large quantities.

Step 7: Waste Less, Save More

Food waste is money down the drain. A few changes at home can help cut costs:

• Store fruit and veg properly to prolong shelf life.

• Use the freezer — bread, cooked meals, grated cheese, and overripe bananas all freeze well.

• Eat leftovers creatively: yesterday’s roast can become today’s stir-fry or soup.

Read our guide on: How to Reduce Food Waste and Save Money

Step 8: Try Online Grocery Shopping

Online shopping can help you avoid impulse purchases and track spending more easily.

Tips for Saving Online:

• Use supermarket apps to compare prices before buying.

• Filter search results by lowest price first.

• Sign up for introductory offers — many online grocery services offer £10–£20 off your first shop.

Bonus Tip: Some people place their order online but choose click-and-collect to avoid delivery charges.

A Unique Strategy: Rotate Your Supermarkets Monthly

One overlooked tip is rotating the supermarket you shop at each month. This helps you:

• Take advantage of welcome offers and loyalty boosts.

• Benefit from introductory discounts on grocery delivery.

• Experience price differences first-hand and adjust habits accordingly.

Many shoppers become overly loyal to one supermarket, missing savings available elsewhere.

Final Thoughts

Grocery shopping doesn’t need to eat up your budget. With just a few strategic changes — from planning your meals to embracing budget-friendly apps and own brands — you can cut your weekly food bill significantly. The key is consistency and awareness: stick to your plan, track your spending, and be open to changing habits when better options arise.

Combine these methods for a long-term reduction in supermarket spending — and a healthier household budget overall.

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