Save €€€s on food by shopping around

YOU can save hundreds of euro on your food bills every month simply by shopping around for the best price.

The latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) reveal startling differences in price for the same product, even in the same parts of the country.

The price for 1kg of loin lamb chops (approx 10 chops) in Dublin can range from €13.65 to €23 - a difference of €9.35.

Outside Dublin, the difference in the price of lamb chops is even greater, with savings of more than €13 possible simply by shopping around.

One of the biggest differences in prices was for 1kg of smoked salmon (roughly half a side of smoked salmon). In regional cities and towns, smoked salmon could cost €36 more than the lowest quote, while in Dublin the difference between the lowest and most expensive price was €23.61.

Putting together typical meals from the products surveyed by the CSO, consumers outside Dublin could save €23 on a dinner consisting of sirloin steak, potatoes, onions, mushrooms and a bottle of wine. Those preparing the same meal in the capital could save €14.50 by shopping around for the best prices.

Even the humble fry could result in savings for price conscious consumers of up to €19 as prices varied from €19 to €39.

Buying rashers, sausages, eggs, tomatoes, milk, bread, tea and orange juice in the capital can cost €13 more if you buy from the most expensive places. The same products cost on average €27 in total, but outside Dublin the cheapest fry could be bought for €19.60, or for a maximum €38.80 - which means savings up of up 50% if you are willing to exercise your shoe leather and shop around.

Director of Consumer Affairs Carmel Foley called on people to shop around. “You don’t have to be a victim of high prices. Make individual choices about what you buy and how much you are willing to pay for it. If the price is too high, don’t pay it and challenge the person charging that price to explain their higher costs,” she urged. “People have plenty of options now to shop around, particularly with the arrival of the German discount stores Aldi and Lidl. People can also buy their CDs, DVDs and books much cheaper on the internet. Even the sales of tickets for Madonna’s concert in Slane have slowed down. I wonder are people saying that they have had enough of high prices,” Ms Foley said.

“People dismiss the high prices by saying that their wage bills are high, but there are plenty of choices an individual shopper can make that will help drive prices down. There are savings to be made if you shop around,” she said.

Ms Foley also felt the creation of websites such as shoppingbill.com, ripoff.ie, and itsyourmoney.ie are signals of a greater consumer awareness. “People are planning their spending now much better than the past. It is only by being aware of the cost of things and choosing the cheaper options that you help drive prices down,” she added.

Chairman of the Consumers’ Association of Ireland Micheal Kilcoyle said it was vital consumers were educated about their rights, but felt the Government was failing to provide adequate funding for this. “The CAI gets €50,000 a year from the Government and that’s it. There should be a minister responsible for consumer issues, but instead we have Mary Harney doing it, when she also represents big business. This appears to be a conflict of interest,” Mr Kilcoyle said.

A spokesperson for Ms Harney was unavailable.