Signs of the Times

MaLarkin

I work in a supermarket (one of the big four) and in the year I've been there I've noticed changes in the way people shop.

Still lots of people spending lots of money but more and more people are tightening up their budgets.

Among the things I've noticed are:

Lots more people shifting down a brand to the extent that there are often gaps on the shelves where the "own brand / value food should be.

Lots more regulars at whoopsie time, but oddly enough better manners among them.

More people having their debit/credit cards refused.

More splitting their bill, paying as much as possible with cash (to the extent of emptying purses at the till) then putting the rest on a card.

Many more using up small change and searching pockets to avoid breaking into another note.

Asking me to check how much they've spent so far or to stop when I get to certain amount.

Probably more but I'm sure you get the drift.

Anybody else noticed changes in spending behaviour or have you changed?

MaggieBaking

I've certainly noticed a gap in aisles where own brand stuff is. Especially Tesco Value "best sellers".

FairyPrincessk

I've noticed far more things going into whoopsie piles. Perhaps its just that I'm shopping at the right time? But it seems like things like pork pies, larger joints of meat and ready-made coleslaw etc. are ending up there more frequently. I'm also finding a lot more reduced meat generally and am wondering if its because people are going veggie/using frozen more often as they can no longer afford the luxury of fresh meat.

tessie_bear

i have noticed a lot more interest in the reduced sections when im nosing through them....i also do the cash and card thing....i take say £20 into a shop spend £25 so hand over my cash and then just take another fiver on the card as appose to £25.....op u are well placed to see what is actually going on on the ground as it were...much more accurate that what is on tv i suspect

ItMightBeUsefulOneDay

MaLarkin wrote: »

Anybody else noticed changes in spending behaviour or have you changed?

There's an awful lot more people in Aldi than 6 months ago. Now entire shelves are being cleared so if you time it wrong all the milk / carrots / bread can be gone.

Other than the bankers and MPs, it seems everyone is trying to cut their food bills (to pay for rises in fuel no doubt)

lovesabargain123

ItMightBeUsefulOneDay wrote: »

There's an awful lot more people in Aldi than 6 months ago. Now entire shelves are being cleared so if you time it wrong all the milk / carrots / bread can be gone.

Other than the bankers and MPs, it seems everyone is trying to cut their food bills (to pay for rises in fuel no doubt)

Funny enough I went to Aldi this week for the first time in ages and couldn't believe just how busy it was.There wasn't a car spot until someone came out and moved.I have to say when I finished shopping I realized why and will certainly be going back again next week x

pinkmami

I went to Aldi on Monday & it was fairly busy. But can you blame them for going there!? The prices are so low. For example I got a whopping big broccoli for 49p there & it was lovely. 4 slices of corned beef for just over £1 when the Co-op sells it for £2.29 for 5 slices (and Aldi was better tasting too!). I try to get more from there than I do at the other places. I tend to buy most of my stuff there like coffee, tea, face cream, bread, frozen fish - oh they make lovely crispy fish parcels - salmon with pesto & covered in breadcrumbs, it was yummy!

rosh12

This is really interesting- I've noticed far more stuff in the Whoopsie section than usual- and it even has big red signs highlighting the section now! However, the reductions are not so great- eg 25p off something that cost £3 that goes off today... It feels a bit like a con- to trick me into thinking I'm getting real bargains. Maybe I'm going at the wrong time though?

CH27

My local Aldi is certainly busier than it was 12 months ago.

tiff

I use more coupons than I used to and totally switched on to what I'm spending and how to not spend so much on groceries.

I havent noticed more items being reduced, but it does annoy me if they have a several boxes of say lettuces that are reduced by a tiny amount rather than reducing them to get rid of them quickly.

Saying that though last night I bought a bag of new potatoes for 50p and small punnet of cherry tomatoes for 28p so they do have bargains if you catch them at the right time.

I work in a charity shop and more and more people are buying secondhand clothes/shoes/bags etc. I think its become a sign of the times and more acceptable now plus its trendy to buy vintage lol

LolaLemon

I've noticed that the reductions aren't as much as they used to be. Their only used to be one chilled reduced area, its now 2 and separated into cooked and uncooked.