By Debbie
Kitcher-Jones
What kind of shopper are
you? Do you buy exactly the same things when you shop? Or maybe
you’re happy with whatever’s on
offer?
However you like to shop,
we all know there’s pressure on household budgets right now.
People are really aware of the cost of living, and we’re all
looking for ways to save money.
Unit pricing can be a
good way to check you are getting value for money at the
supermarket. We’ve put together this short guide to help you
understand what unit pricing is, and how it can help you make
smart choices.
You won’t become a millionaire overnight, of course. But over
time, these little savings can add up, so it’s worth thinking
about. We’ve also published some research into this if
you’d like to know more.
What is unit pricing
and how can it help you?
Unit pricing is when the price of an
item is provided using a standard measure. This might be
by:
-
weight (for example kilo or
gram)
-
volume (for example litre or
millilitre)
-
quantity (for example per
item)
Where can I find unit
prices?
You can find unit prices on the shelf
label in store and online. They’re usually displayed next to or
below the selling price of the item. The unit price may be in
smaller print, and so you may need to look harder if there is a
loyalty or promotional offer
happening.
Here’s how a unit price might be
displayed on a shelf label:
Here’s how a unit price
might be displayed online:
How unit pricing
helps you spot
the best value
for
money
There are a number of
common assumptions out there about how to get the best value for
money. Our
analysis found the unit prices of some products compared to
others can be surprising.
You should know
that:
-
bigger pack sizes don’t always offer
the best value for money
-
items on a promotional offer aren’t
necessarily the best value for
money
-
items sold as part of a multi-pack
aren’t always going to be cheaper than buying as individual
items
-
pre-packaged bags of fruit and
vegetables aren’t always cheaper than
loose
So check the unit price on the label
before you buy.
Here’s an example that
shows that items on a promotional offer aren’t necessarily the
best value for money:
Beware! Unit prices can
change, so they’re worth
checking
It’s always worth checking the unit
price of items when shopping, whether you're doing so online or
in a store. We know that some shoppers have favourite items that
they always buy, and you might be one of these people. But do
check the unit price, because they:
-
can change over
time
-
may be different depending on where
you are shopping
-
may not be the same as the last
time, or even first time, you bought the
item
Find out
more
To learn more about unit pricing, read
our latest report and related
consumer research.
