When on a Budget Here is How to Negotiate Reduced Prices for Food

Grocery shopping on a budget encourages families to negotiate for reduced food prices.  Food prices like gas prices go up and seldom come down.  Shopping for discounts before shopping makes sense and saves dollars and cents.

Contemporary Cost and Savings Opportunity

USA Today reported May 1, 2013, “The latest numbers for a four-member family: a thrifty food plan, $146 a week; a low-cost food plan, $191 a week; a moderate-cost plan, $239; a liberal plan, $289 a week.” 

20 families spending $146 per week for food cost total $2,920 a week.  20 families spending $289 per week for food cost total $5,780 a week. 

Families negotiating for a 10% reduced cost on $2,920 would be $292.  Each of 20 families equal savings share is $14.50. 

Families negotiating for a 10% reduced cost on $5,780 would be $578.  Each of 20 families equal savings share is $28.90.

Information is Your Bargaining Chip

1.       Identify friends and friends of friends who grocery shops on a budget.

2.       Ask who wants to save money on the food purchases for their families.

3.       Make a list of all who express interest.

4.       Meet them, one on one or in groups of threes.

5.       Gather and organize information.  Detail verifiable dollars spent for food over 90 days.

6.       Gather information from a minimum of 25 family shoppers.

7.       Establish total dollars spent on food and divide by 25.  This information is your bargaining chip.  For this model, the total represents $146 spent per week for 25 families over three months or $43,800.  10% savings is $4,380 over 90 days.

8.       This is business.  Formalize your agreement with each other to pursue reduced food prices.

9.       Establish negotiation teams of 2 – 3 shoppers to engage independent or chain groceries.

Negotiate a Deal and Provide Call to Action

Shoppers with information have power.  When you make contact with chain store or regional managers, make clear you represent the interest of more than $40,000 quarterly food dollars. 

1.       Express clearly you are negotiating a deal for highest discount pricing among area groceries and food sellers.  Does $40,000 quarterly business interest?

2.       Be ready with a list of favorable things you appreciate about the grocery.  Your list might include existing reduced costs, special sales events, or special day discounts.

3.       Indicate the concessions you are willing to make for 10% additional cost reduction.  Your list might include shopping during off peak traffic hours, after midnight, beginning weekdays, or particular days.

4.       Identify additional benefits to the grocer. You will provide your list of shoppers for their activity tracking.  You might include you will word of mouth market or grow your group to increase business in following quarters.  You might indicate you are willing to receive your discount when purchases made or at the end of the quarter by cash rebate.  Goal is to provide attractive options.

5.       Your call to action makes clear you want a response to your proposal in 7 – 10 business days or less.  You will be taking the first satisfactory deal in the best interest of your group as soon as possible.

Economic power develops when grocery shopping on a budget encourages families to negotiate for reduced food prices.  This strategy is not limited to grocery shopping.

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