One of the reasons why I love to menu plan is that it really helps to limit the unplanned purchases that occur at the supermarket, compared to when I go without a planned comprehensive list. There always seem to be items jumping out and calling me to buy them. If I have my list though, I tend to stick to it and whiz around the aisles quite quickly.
It then didn’t surprise me when I was reading the Good Weekend Magazine from The Age on the weekend, and I came across the fact that comparing the percentage of planned vs unplanned purchases is often used by companies to measure their success.
In supermarkets, for example, 70 to 75 per cent of the money spent involves an unplanned purchase,
- (Retail expert Charles Areni from University of Sydney)
Areni made this point in an article on Ikea titled “Out Of The Box” where he also comments:
That’s why Ikea’s laid out as it is. Most retailers will say, “The longer I can keep somebody in my store and the more merchandise I can get them to walk by, the more money I can make per customer.”
I am going to remember this next time I wheel my trolley past a brightly set up promotional display at the end of the aisle, and ask myself the questions “Is it on my list? Do I really need this or is it the retailer just trying to nab another unplanned purchase from me?”
Now to the family menu plan for the week:
Monday: Moroccan Minted Beef
Baking: Rice Bubble Treat
Tuesday: Satay Chicken with Cous Cous
Wednesday: Sausage and Vegetables
Thursday: Tuna Rice
Friday: Home Made Pizza
Saturday: Left Overs
Sunday: Chicken Lasagna
For more menu planning ideas head on over to Laura’s place at “I’m an Organizing Junkie“.
{ 4 comments }
Wow! 70 to 75 percent!?! I’ve heard the end of the isle (the end caps) only hold stuff for impulse buyers. I noticed that I was lured by them a lot more when I was pregnant.
Usually I shop around the store as in around the perimeter because usually that’s where they keep the basics and I try really hard to avoid all the super manufactured foods like stove top stuffing.
Erica at Mom’s Journals last blog post..Daily Infant Report
The Chicken Lasagna sounds yummy.I hope that you have a great week.
Michelles last blog post..Menu Plan Monday
I totally agree with your comment on menu planning. It saves me loads of money because it prevents me from doing too much impulse buying. I have to admit that I still buy a little extra here and there depending on if I find something on sale that I also have coupons for, and it’s something we like. I consider adding to my stockpile an investment. Still, my menu saves me much more than time deciding what to cook — it saves time AND money.
Leslies last blog post..MENU PLAN MONDAY
I’m a big one for home-making my kids snacks as well and I have another great rice bubble recipe if you want a change (it’s a sight variation on one I found on the interenet a
while ago and have gradually evolved it!)
1 cup dried dates, 1/2 cup dried cranberries, 50g marg, 40g copha, 1/2 cup sugar, 3 cups ricebubbles, 1 cup desc cocnut. First melt copha over heat, then add dates, crans, marg and sugar and slowly heat until dates go mushy. Mix into ricebubbles and coconut. Push mixture down into slice tray and put into fridge for approx 2 hours. YUM
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