Cut your bill in half with clearance grocery stores

Do you frequent clearance or discount grocery stores? They are increasingly popular and numerous across the country.

In Quebec alone, there are now more than fifty in the four corners of the province. Some specialize in the sale of vegetables or dry goods, others compete directly with grocery stores. traditional.

There we mainly find surplus inventory which sometimes comes directly from various suppliers, or even from large grocery store chains which must get rid of unsold items to keep their merchandise moving. You can also find products whose packaging is imperfect, or whose expiration date is approaching or has even passed.

Out of date, but still good?

In some discount grocery stores, products are discounted because they have already expired. But don’t panic! Expired does not mean danger.

It is wrongly believed that the “best before” date indicates the moment when the food will become unsafe, explains Annie Ferland, doctor of pharmacy and dietitian-nutritionist. Rather, this information gives us the time during which an unopened and properly stored product will maintain its freshness, taste and accurate nutritional value. Under no circumstances are we talking about inedible or dangerous food. In short, we guarantee the top taste quality until this date!

Merchants who sell expired products must, however, respect strict rules established by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ), and these are only certain categories of products that can be sold after their expiration date. expiration.

This is the case, for example, with yogurts, dry foods, marinades, canned goods and even eggs.

You can also consult the explanatory sheet (New window) of the MAPAQ on this subject.

Substantial savings

By offering these surplus inventory and lots of unsold products at very low prices, liquidation grocery store owners can post real bargains.

The grocery store compared the prices of dozens of products and the findings are clear: certain foods are 30% to 70% cheaper than the lowest price of the same product in a traditional grocery store.

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Customer base on the rise

As the grocery cart bill has increased by 28% in three years, the popularity of liquidation grocery stores has exploded.

At Panier Extra and Escomptes Fortin 2020, both in the Quebec region, merchants have noted a 40% increase in customers since the pandemic. Same observation at Escomptes St-Jean, in Montérégie, or at Liquidation Marie, which has four branches on the outskirts of Montreal.

We are also told that the clientele is diversifying; she comes from all socio-economic groups.

According to a recent survey from the Retail Council of Canada, nearly 60% of Canadian consumers say they have changed the way they shop.

The current economic context leads the curious to experiment with the concept, explains Maryse Côté-Hamel, professor in the Department of Agri-Food Economics and Consumer Sciences at Laval University.

There has been a lot of talk about the cost of the grocery basket in the media, so there is less embarrassment than before in saying that we are looking for discounts. It’s even valued to share the savings we make by shopping in these grocery stores.

Maryse Côté-Hamel also notes the community spirit that is created around the phenomenon. People are members of groups on social networks and share their findings with each other and give each other tips on how to save more. Everyone is in the same boatshe explains.

The consumer science expert also explains that consumers feel valued when they make significant savings and can reduce their grocery bill. They regain some power over their spending.

The gains and profits of major brands in recent years have created a certain distrust among consumers. They ask themselves more questions than before and they think about how to save more than just relying on discounts at traditional grocery stores..

Review your purchasing habits

To make big savings, however, you need to review your purchasing habits. We put our inflexible grocery list aside and adapt our menus to current finds.

You also have to be reactive, because certain products are in limited quantities and sell out very quickly after being advertised on social networks. It’s also an opportunity to discover new products and lesser-known brands.

Short-lived trend?

Are clearance grocery stores a fast fad? No, according to the experts and traders we consulted.

I am convinced that these are habits that people will keep, says Marie-Ève ​​Breton, owner of Liquidation Marie. Why would consumers start paying more for this essential good that is food?

Same conclusion for Yves Dubé, of Escomptes St-Jean, who opened five new businesses in the last year.

People need to eat and I like being able to say that I save them a lot of money. It’s just as good as any other grocery store, at a fraction of the price, so why go without it?