Thriftiness Tips From Your Friendly Neighborhood Grocers

The art of home economics which generations of students learned in school to manage a household budget is staging a comeback. This time, however, classes are being conducted not in but in almost every store in the nation.

Though it may appear counterproductive for stores to educate shoppers to limit their spending, several store chains have decided that offering such knowledge can generate loyalty and keep clients from bringing their business to cheaper competition.

Classes going on

The Stop & Shop store chain is providing "affordable food summits" where shoppers are instructed how to chop down their grocery bills. Home Depot gives classes on energy conservation to cut down bills. Wal-Mart Stores employed a "family financial expert" who conducts online chats to educate thousands of shoppers how to lay aside money for college, melt away debt and sell a house.

There was once a time when schools taught domestic survival skills like how to maintain a growing family on a shoestring budget. But in an era of high profits and full employment, affordable credit and evolving social standards, many of these classes were reprogrammed to teach more timely topics.

"There's an entire generation that's never really had to know how to stretch the value of a dollar, " said Ellie Kay, who gives out financial advice for Wal-Mart.

Going back to basics

Only a few can remember the last severe recession just a quarter of a century ago. During the prosperity years, shopping on a budget was looked down upon. Even average wage-earners enjoyed dining in restaurants. Many small grocery stores went upscale to attract upscale clients.

With the sinking economy today, many families are forced to go back to basics. People are marching to wholesale stores and discount marts, settling for more affordable products, choosing store-branded products and shopping trips are few and far between.

71% of consumers are more often dining at home nowadays and eating out less frequently, according to statistics from the Food Marketing Institute, which made an online survey of more than 2, 000 shoppers. The survey also discovered that 67% of consumers bought fewer luxury items and 58% consumed more leftovers.

Grocery stores for classrooms?

Grocery chains began to assume the responsibility of educating consumers how to prepare low-budget meals while still maintaining persistent focus on value.

"We're educating people, " said Jim Dwyer, executive vice president of strategy and business development for Stop & Shop. "Even in a tough economic time, there's an opportunity to still put the right food in front of your family."

To make the public aware of thriftiness, food executives, educators and economists advice consumers to surf the Internet for discount coupons, stick to shopping budgets, cook larger servings and freeze leftover food, turn off appliances when not in use and motoring tips to conserve fuel.

These conservation advices is not specific to any one store but, rather, are pointing to money-saving items that the stores may carry. The purpose is to earn the appreciation and trust of clients and ensure that when they do shop, it will be on the store that provided the useful information. "So what they are trying to do is provide value and get credit for the value they are providing." said Willard Bishop, who runs a supermarket consulting firm.

The author of this article is Benedict Yossarian. Benedict recommends Real Claims for Mis Sold PPI or if your company is facing financial difficulties Wilson Field for Pre Pack Liquidation.

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