Grocery Shopping - Can You Help with a Few Thoughts and Answers ?

Lalebonau on 09/08/2018 - 21:37

Hi all, doing a bit of study on the side, this one relating to grocery shopping and just wondering if could help with some answers that might give me a bit more insight what matters/does'nt and particularly from other people not just me ?

  1. With busy lives, is grocery shopping difficult to fit in that you run out stuff ?

  2. Does it mean you don't really get a chance to shop around for groceries ? (coles, woolies, aldi, iga)

  3. Do you feel you are missing out on the best savings shopping for groceries in that case ?

Would appreciate very much if you could pass through your thoughts on each so I can compile. note this is not a scientific study or market research or anything like that. Its just to understand the problems that might be out there with something as simple as grocery shopping that often taken for granted. So really look forward to your answers.

ps I am a student and not associated with any store or chain or anything like that.

Food & Grocery Shopper Insights

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 09/08/2018 - 21:43
    +1

    1. Not really. It is easy enough to pop out quickly for something I'm missing.
      Although were I live not all supermarkets stock what an Australian would expect in a supermarket. Even simple things like mince is available at all supermarkets.
      Some supermarkets offer delivery within 2-3 hours.

    2. I really can't be bothered to shop around. Shop wherever is convenient.

    3. Yeah, absolutely. But my time is valuable to me, not necessarily in a financial sense either as I place a very high value on family time.

  • alebonau on 09/08/2018 - 21:55

    Wow thats amazing where you are Drew, especially the 2-3 hours delivery !

    Thank you with your insights. I appreciate too sharing what isn't of value and highlighting what is !

    • [Deactivated] on 09/08/2018 - 23:09
      +2

      I live in Kuala Lumpur.

      There are a number of services which will have a person go to a participating shop, buy stuff for you and bring it to you for about $3-5.
      This is usually for smaller things as they are usually on motorcycles, but they will send someone with a car for a bigger request. Kind of like Uber I guess.
      We sometimes use this, maybe once every couple of months.

  • Clear on 09/08/2018 - 22:09
    +1

    1. A couple of quick trips during the week and if I have time a Saturday or Sunday morning trip for a big spend. If I'm extra busy I'll order online and have them delivered to my work or home.

    2. If I'm after something specific and know that one stocks it over the other then I'll go there. I usually stick to the same supermarket though.

    3. For online there are often like $X of $X spend @ Coles. Othertimes I might get a Woolies WISH Card when they're on sale.

    • alebonau on 09/08/2018 - 22:51

      Hi Clear, thanks for your response,

      hoping if you can clarify,

      what you mean by $X of $X spend at coles ?

      I presume you mean the Wish cards are a way of saving in that you buy them when they are discounted ? and then turn the discount into saving by using ? Have I understood that right :)

      many thanks,

  • alebonau on 09/08/2018 - 22:20

    Thank you Clear for sharing your perspective, its interesting your mix of shopping in person and online to compliment when extra busy. And that you shop around for specifics.

    Could you clarify what you mean $X of $X spend at coles ?

    I presume you mean the Wish cards are a way of saving in that you buy them when they are discounted ? and then turn the discount into saving by using ? Have I understood that right :)

    • [Deactivated] on 09/08/2018 - 22:22
      +3

      Try using the reply feature…

      • alebonau on 09/08/2018 - 22:50

        Thanks Drew, new here… just discovered it ! thanks for the prompt !

    • Godric on 09/08/2018 - 22:23
      +1

      Consec spend promos etc etc

      • alebonau on 09/08/2018 - 22:53

        Thank you Godric, could you clarify what you mean by consec spend promos etc ?

        would you be able to help with your thoughts on,

        1. With busy lives, is grocery shopping difficult to fit in that you run out stuff ?

        2. Does it mean you don't really get a chance to shop around for groceries ? (coles, woolies, aldi, iga)

        3. Do you feel you are missing out on the best savings shopping for groceries in that case ?

        much thanks in advance,

        • Godric on 10/08/2018 - 11:02

          no

        • eyeballz2770 on 10/08/2018 - 13:52
          +2

          consec spend promos are consecutive spend promotions.

          Coles and Woolworths both offer promotions that require a customer spends X amount of dollars for Y weeks to get Z reward.

          The most common is some variation of "spend $50+ each week for 4 weeks and earn a bonus of 2000 rewards (either Coles FlyBuys or Woolworths Everyday Rewards) points". These points can be exchanged for credit towards future purchases so it's, ultimately, free money for spending money at the grocery store.

        • alebonau on 10/08/2018 - 14:22

          @eyeballz2770: Thank you eyeballz ! interesting scheme, its smart in some ways as it encourages repeat custom and a money stream for discounts in return. Free money for spending money as you say.

  • wolffram on 09/08/2018 - 23:23
    +2

    Although I do research and plan to buy the specials each week at the relevant store (Coles, Safeway etc) 99% of my grocery shopping is usually done at my local Safeway because it’s the closest and easiest to pop in and out of. Time is definitely the limiting factor in bargain buying.

    • alebonau on 09/08/2018 - 23:44

      Thank you wolffram, sounds like you shop around to make sure you get the specials. Thank you for highlighting the how time is a limiter for bargain buying.

  • Savas on 09/08/2018 - 23:23
    +3

    I often find it hard to find time to shop, usually I skip meals as well. I also can't be bothered to look for the "best savings" since that is a waste of time.

    • alebonau on 09/08/2018 - 23:46
      +1

      Thank you Savas, have no doubt with busy lives be others as well limited in time to shop, or look for best savings. Appreciate from your point of view how that is seen as a waste of time.

  • AustriaBargain on 10/08/2018 - 01:05
    +4

    I don't have a car and there is a Woolworth's two minutes walk away from home. If there was instead an Aldi two minutes away I'd probably go there instead.

    • alebonau on 10/08/2018 - 07:18

      Thank you Austriabargain, so close enough can just pop in get what you want, so take it not difficult to fit in a shop ? and don't run out of things ?

      also take it don't really shop around in that case. just based on what is close by.

      Wondering in that case if you feel that you are missing out on the best savings ? do let me know and appreciate your thoughts back.

  • Quantumcat on 10/08/2018 - 07:54
    +1

    1. No, I can walk ten minutes to a supermarket or drive five minutes if I need something. And if I need milk when the supermarket is closed there's a petrol station too.

    2. I wouldn't go out of my way to save a few $, I'll just buy what is on special at my local supermarket

    3. No, there's always some brand that is half price at any particular time, my time is valuable to me and I'm not going to go out of my way to save 50c on my favourite brand of something. I'll just buy another brand that is half price or pay full price.

    • alebonau on 10/08/2018 - 08:57

      Thankyou Quantam cat, so easy enough to get to with the closeness for you to not run out. Seems that you are getting the savings you need from your local supermarket and dont feel missing out on savings by not shopping around. Appreciate that have shared your perspective.

  • Lastchancetosee on 10/08/2018 - 08:33
    +1

    We shop every 7-10 days, with a list. Do the majority at Aldi, with Coles or Woolworths for the few brand things we want. We avoid popping out to shop on an ad hoc basis, as invariably we go in for two things and come out with ten! The exception is if we suddenly have guests and need things we don't usually have to hand - that's almost always an expensive trip at the local shop. We also stock up a bit on non-perishables or brands we like when they're on special. Needs to be half price or less to make it worthwhile.

    • alebonau on 10/08/2018 - 09:00

      thank you nc62 ! we seem to be in a similar boat ! with the weekly shop and majority at Aldi. and popping into the others for a few things. Tell me about it popping in for a few things and coming back with a bunch of stuff probably didn't need ! Good points on your exceptional shops for guests and good to hear on the savings potential on stocking up on non perishables but only when its a special to make worthwhile

  • Ocker on 10/08/2018 - 09:22
    -5

    Maybe you should first look at changing your course to English grammar?

    • alebonau on 10/08/2018 - 09:36
      +1

      Thank you much kindly Ocker. Many have kindly responded so far. Do you have something to contribute on the topic?

      "- With busy lives, is grocery shopping difficult to fit in that you run out stuff ?

      • Does it mean you don't really get a chance to shop around for groceries ? (coles, woolies, aldi, iga)

      • Do you feel you are missing out on the best savings shopping for groceries in that case ?"

    • lolzdj on 10/08/2018 - 13:24
      +2

      To my knowledge, English grammar is not a course offered at universities in Australia. Perhaps you could give a bit more insight as to what you meant by that comment.

      Yours truly,

      lolzdj

  • HighAndDry on 10/08/2018 - 09:52
    +1
    1. No - shops are a small detour from commute.
    2. No - all 3 shops are small detour from commute.
    3. No - look at catalogues before shopping.
    • alebonau on 10/08/2018 - 10:17

      thanks High and dry you are lucky with all 3 shops close and sounds for that reason that no problems ducking in to keep topped up and also gives an opportunity to shop around between using catalogues as reference.

      • HighAndDry on 10/08/2018 - 10:30
        +1

        Yeah having the three shops close is definitely a convenience. I think most people would live within 15-20mins of at least two of Woolies/Coles/Aldi/IGA, which in my experience is enough competition to keep the prices decently low.

  • dasher86 on 10/08/2018 - 09:57
    +1
    1. I live two minutes from two supermarkets. They are like my second pantry.
    2. I have two main options to shop around for. if one doesn't have what I want I go to the next one.
    3. Sometimes as i purchase out of need rather than planning.
    • alebonau on 10/08/2018 - 10:20

      Thank you dasher, seems your shopping is more needs based rather than price ? and close enough easy enough to get what you need when you need it. Doesn't seem like you are shopping around for getting the best saving but not something a priority for you

      • dasher86 on 10/08/2018 - 10:22
        +1

        somewhat.
        I also tend to stock up on my staples/goods i know i will use at some point.
        I tend to know the price point and will buy if i see hit that, not really planning just walking down the aisles and seeing it for 50% off etc.

  • dane45 on 16/08/2018 - 14:59

    1. Not really, I change from a train to a bus on my commute home. At my point of transfer there's a range of shops (Coles, Kmart, local supermarket, fruit and veg shop) that cater to pretty much everything I need and I usually only buy food as I need it for whatever I'm cooking that evening. The exception to this is Costco which is more out of the way for me and I'll have to buy in bulk, but I can still do it on the way home from work if I have extra time.

    2. For things I buy regularly I keep noted in my phone of how much I usually pay and where I buy them so I can plan around that. When I'm in different shops and I see something I often buy, I'll compare prices then.

    3. I'll sometimes not have the time/energy to get to Costco for the best deals (although this is only on a few items that I buy) but the amount I would have saved isn't enough to make me too stressed

    • alebonau on 23/09/2018 - 19:52

      Thank you dane45,

      Thank you all !

      I very much appreciate the questions you have so far helped me in answering, I am onto phase two…

      Given what I have learnt that for some with busy lifestyles there is little time to shop, its difficult to shop around, and some can also waste time with multiple visits to buy things as required, 

      I am wondering about the opportunity for a Thrift shopping app ?. something that helps save you time and money. It would be loaded to say an iPad, stuck to your fridge/pantry and you scan things as you use them. It would have preset re order points and once a week it would scan the online portals of the major retailers to work out the cheapest place to place your order, that would be delivered to you when convenient. 

      1. Do you think something like this would perhaps suit busy professional, singles or families with FT working parents? 

      2. Do you think it would save them time and money ? 

      3. If it would be a free App would people be encouraged to try it ? 

      4. Would it be fair to charge say 10%  of actual savings made to fund it ?

      Keen to hear your thoughts…..

      • AlienC on 25/09/2018 - 01:13

        Yes this would definitely work mainly for people who cannot control their spending aka impulse buyers or just people with no time to research aka busy people.

        Convenience is always a luxury so if you can somehow maybe even charge a monthly fee very minimal or percentage maybe some might try it but it is tricky because if you are trying to save money the fact that you are paying for that service will throw some people off.

        It is a tricky situation but I know what you are trying to do.

        Personally I know how to use the sort by unit price function so it would be useless for me but I have a feeling plenty of unaware shoppers might try it once.. maybe suck them in with a one off initial subscription purchase or make it a low monthly cost with deducted annual cost to get some buyers.

        Maybe if you can calculate same lists from different stores with the total delivery costs that would be worth paying but honestly just make it free and post it as an extension like the honey coupon app.. would be doing so much more better that way for everybody.

  • alebonau on 24/09/2018 - 10:07

    hello all,

    any thoughts at all to help me with my phase 2 , with the 4 questions I have above. would very much appreciate your insights as a shopper and would help me greatly in my understanding :)

  • AlienC on 25/09/2018 - 01:16
    +1

    Make an app, website and extension that cross checks your current grocery list with local competitors (praying they have an online catalogue and shopping list) and then give the user information and possible savings with current coupon codes and stuff sourced from here ozbargain.

    That is all I can think about in regards to helping people shop that and an alert when a certain product goes on sale or historical lowest price etc like some game websites and amazon tracking websites like isthereanydeal and camelcamelcamel do.

    Would be nice to see what each local supermarket have and doesn't have and cross check that all etc.

    • alebonau on 25/09/2018 - 09:54

      Thank you AlienC I very much appreciate your response,

      thanks too on the tips, where we are indeed limited at this point is as you suggest that all the local competitors have online catalogs and lists. Though this I am sure will change and VERY quickly. online shopping in the grocery sector is growing at 28% ! vs conventional shopping growing at 1.3% ! so all retailers will want to be part of it.

      I think your thoughts on the cross checking and giving user information and possible savings is a good idea. Historical lowest price is a good one too.

      thanks for the headsup on amazon tracking websites like isthereanydeal and camelcamelcamel. Amazon fresh with wholefoods is probably the biggest threat to local retailers in my research and given Amazon prime free home deliveries it is likely to change the landscape of online grocery shopping and very quickly if launched. but I suspect Amazon is on the slowly slowly route here.

      Definitely the cross checking opportunity is a good one I think. Especially with it being time consuming to do now across the websites we have and it will get more difficult in time with more entrants.

      I think there are also shopper insight opportunity where consumers can feed info back to the retailers. eg number of times they missed out on an order because of items they dont stock or are too expensive.

      exciting times ahead I suspect in shopper land !

      ps any thoughts on my questions ?

      1. Do you think something like this would perhaps suit busy professional, singles or families with FT working parents?

      2. Do you think it would save them time and money ?

      3. If it would be a free App would people be encouraged to try it ?

      4. Would it be fair to charge say 10% of actual savings made to fund it ?

      any feedback would be good :)

      • AlienC on 25/09/2018 - 12:12
        +1

        1. Can't say I don't know their lifestyles.. maybe

        2. I mean an app that finds best prices easily would save anyone time and money so they know where to shop kind of like a better version of notepad geared towards grocery shopping in Australian suburbs

        3. Free is always better but honestly if it is a really useful app like tripview or maybe a like a good ozbargain app etc people might pay a few dollars for it or the premium version but always have a free version as that is the new standard now for most apps except the extremely useful necessary ones

        4. No idea but personally anything that might cut into savings would be a bad idea because people will find a way to circumvent.. either a very very cheap subscription or one time unlock cost at most I think for an app like this because realistically you will be saving them some grocery bills so can't really get that much.. I mean you can trial the 10% saving cost idea it might work for sure have seen some other businesses try it and succeed

  • alebonau on 25/09/2018 - 14:06

    Thank you AlienC much appreciated, thank you for your thoughts on those :)

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