Is Bulk Buying a False Economy? 10% Ends up in Bin

• 76% of shopper are on the lookout for bulk buy bargains
• Inflation rates push grocery costs up
• Bulk buys frequently end up in the bin: false economy?

Food shopping has got more expensive recently- inflation rates on groceries have risen more than in other retail areas, so savvy shoppers have turned to bulk buying to cut costs.

Consumers can stock up on essentials that have a lower cost per unit than buying individual or low quantity items, which can sometimes cut bills in half.

More than three quarters of shoppers said that they now regularly bulk buy to save money, according to a survey by TopCashback.

But, bulk buying can be misleading- what may look like a good deal is only a good deal if you need the product.

The surveyed showed that 19% do not use the items they bulk by, and more than half of these ended up in the bin.

The main reason for binning bulk buys was items going past expiration dates, being forgot about, and a lack of storage at home.

Natasha Rachel Smith, consumer affairs editor for TopCashback, said, “Consumers are finding themselves in a false economy with a huge amount of goods going in the bin and cash down the drain.

“Bulk buying is great for items such as toilet roll and non-perishables, but it’s best to check what things you actually need before going online or heading to the supermarket.”

Members of the Latest Deals bargain hunting community use bulk buys as a way to save money.

One member, Sue, said, “I bulk buy everything I can that I know I will use.

“If it’s on offer then it makes it more worthwhile, so I’ll stock up on it, whether it be coffee beans or washing powder.”

Francesca said, “I’ll bulk buy pretty much anything that’s a good deal and I’ll use.

“It helps that I have a massive chest freezer, so I can freeze all my food bulk buys so they don’t go out of date.”

Budget supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl, as well as retailers like Amazon and Costco, have made bulk buying easier than ever.

Co-Op is also trying to keep up with competition by slashing prices by up to 40%.

What are good things to buy in bulk?

We surveyed members of Latest Deals to see what their most popular bulk buy items are:

• Loo Rolls
• Dried Foods
• Cleaning Products
• Tinned Foods
• Pet Food
• Nappies
• Washing Powder
• Tea and Coffee
• Toiletries
• Candles