"Price war in retail" - Insider reveals how customers can save big

Created: 05/07/2022 05:13

By: Jason Blaschke

In times of sharply rising food prices, saving becomes all the more important.

An insider reveals that there is currently a good opportunity for this.

Neckarsulm – The prices for important staple foods have only known one direction for weeks.

The reason for this is the ongoing war in Ukraine and the associated supply and energy bottlenecks.

"Feed and fertilizers have risen enormously in price," explained Eckhard Heuser from the Dairy Industry Association (MIV) a few weeks ago in an interview with

.

Prices for many foods are rising – experts give details

The expert assumes that consumers will soon have to dig even deeper into their pockets for many dairy products.

Heuser said to

: "With regard to butter, there are major changes, the rest is yet to come, by July 1, 2022 at the latest." The Farmers' Association (LBV) and the Association of Commercial Fruit Growers (LVEO) in Baden-Württemberg made similar statements.

, Ariane Amstutz from the LBV and Kathrin Walter from the LVEO report on the

increased costs for energy or personnel and the cheap imported products that are causing problems for regional farmers in Baden-Württemberg.

Especially with regard to berries such as strawberries or raspberries, regional farmers would find it difficult to keep up with cheap foreign products.

Price war in German retail: Insider gives important savings tip

The problem shows: the trigger for many of the problems is the war in Ukraine.

But factors such as personnel costs or the principle of supply and demand also affect the prices that consumers have to pay.

It is all the more important to shop consciously and to heed important savings tricks in retail.

And especially in the current situation, consumers can save a lot of money with eight tips: "In the German retail sector, a fierce price war is raging, which is being fought out quietly," reveals an insider from the industry in an interview with

.

This means that the supermarkets and discounters such as Kaufland or Lidl are courting customers.

A fierce price war is raging in the German retail trade, which is being played out in silence.

Industry insiders in conversation with CHIP Online

More and more food offers in brochures – customers should compare

Retailers are no longer using just homewares, clothing and special offers to lure shoppers into their stores, the insider said.

Rather, it is now also groceries that Kaufland, Lidl and Co. give a lot of space to in the weekly prospectuses and advertising brochures.

This means: According to the insider, if you take a good look at the brochures of supermarkets and discounters, you can get good bargains and thus save money.

So it can make sense to align your weekly shopping or meal plans with special offers.

Don't be fooled by special offers - it's all about the details

first reported

, shows that this is being done independently of the war in Ukraine and the associated price jumps by many Germans .

According to the PwC analysis, every second respondent makes more targeted use of special offers.

If you buy special offers, you can save a lot.

So it can be worth looking at the brochures.

©Oliver Berg/dpa

And one in four even forgo shopping if the products are too expensive.

However, favorable price information in brochures should always be checked carefully, because the quantity also plays an important role in terms of price, as BW24 reports.

Despite lucrative special offers - consumers should pay attention to the basic price

In other words: When in doubt, the more expensive product can be cheaper based on the quantity.

The fact that the basic price will be re-regulated by law from May simplifies the comparison.

In addition, it must be noted that the vast majority of special offers are limited in time and sometimes only apply in connection with apps or coupons.

The days on which consumers can expect new special offers differ from retailer to retailer.

The action days of the most important retailers in Germany are:

• Aldi: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday

• Norma: Monday, Wednesday and Saturday

• Kaufland and Lidl: Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday

• Net: Monday and from Thursday to Saturday

• Penny: Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday

• Edeka and Rewe: Monday, Friday and Saturday

• Real ("price hits at the weekend") from Friday to Saturday

Saving when shopping: insider tips can help – but one important note should be heeded

The brochures of the vast majority of discounters and supermarkets are usually distributed a week before the start of the campaign - usually at the weekend.

The fact that the prices are sometimes hidden, especially in Lidl and Aldi brochures, has a reason that consumers who are keen to save should definitely know.

In summary, the insider tip on good special offers can definitely help you save.

Nevertheless, consumers should always take a close look and, if in doubt, compare the basic price, because a supposed savings offer is not always cheap.

Facebook users with a clear demand - saving alone is not enough

, however, many users on Facebook complain

that they have already fully exploited their savings potential.

"Many low-income earners, single parents, pensioners and those unable to work have long had to implement these savings opportunities due to lack of money," writes one user.

Another user says: “With less than 900 euros a month, deducting rent plus additional costs, there is nothing left to save.” A few Facebook users are therefore demanding that politicians should provide even more support – for example with a temporary reduction in the VAT.

That would be a "sensible and legally possible relief, with the advantage of making healthy food more attractive," writes one user.