Shopping method · 2026-04-13
A better method for the weekly shop
How to plan a shop around repeat buys, unit prices and fewer wasted journeys.
Start with repeat buys
Most household savings are not dramatic. They come from repeat buys: mince, chicken, milk, rice, pasta, fruit, vegetables, washing capsules, bin liners, shampoo and soap. These are the products that come back again and again, so small differences matter.
A good weekly method starts by knowing the household staples. Once those are visible, deals become easier to judge. A discount on something you do not need is not a saving. A small reduction on something you buy every week may be more valuable.
Use the right comparison unit
Food usually needs price per kg or litre. Laundry capsules need price per wash. Bin liners need price per bag and bag size. Vitamins and tablets may need price per item. Comparing everything with one unit creates confusion, so NI Food Compass tries to use the unit that fits the product.
Decide whether the trip is worth it
The cheapest mixed basket can look good on screen, but there is a practical question: do you really want to visit three shops? Sometimes the best single-shop basket is worth a few pounds more because it saves time, fuel and stress. That is why the basket tool is being shaped around both cheapest mixed-shop and best single-shop views.
Use the live comparison
The article explains the thinking. The live table shows the current captured rows and links back to retailers for verification before buying.