Grocery Shopping Pre- and Post-Pandemic – Plus Smart tips to save money

Why Grocery Shopping Feels So Different (and Expensive) Now

Remember the good old days when a weekly grocery run didn’t make your wallet feel like it’s been to the gym? Pre-pandemic grocery shopping was relatively straightforward, but in a post-pandemic world, inflation and supply chain issues have turned the once-simple grocery trip into an adventure that leaves us wondering, “How did I just spend that much on food?”

In the U.S., grocery prices rose sharply from 2020 to 2022, with items like meat, poultry, fish, and eggs increasing over 12% by mid-2022. For instance, beef prices alone saw a 20% rise due to supply chain issues and labor shortages. Canada experienced a similar trend, with inflation driving food prices up around 5% annually since 2020, according to Canada's Food Price Report 2022 by Dalhousie University. Even in 2023, Canadians saw a 7% food price increase due to inflation and global supply pressures. Meanwhile, the U.K. reported its highest annual food inflation in 45 years in 2023, with prices increasing by over 19% for staples​ Dalhousie University Office for National Statistics .

A typical household of two people in 2019 may have spent $400-$500 monthly on groceries. Now, they may be paying closer to $600 or more, particularly in urban areas. In Australia and New Zealand, food costs have also climbed, with household spending on groceries rising 8-10% yearly since 2021.

The reality is, grocery prices have seen a noticeable jump. But don’t worry—there’s hope! With a few smart shopping and pantry management strategies, you can keep costs down without sacrificing the foods you love. And to help you stay on top of it all, we’ll introduce Pantrio, a kitchen management app that makes tracking and managing your grocery items as easy as pie. Let’s dive into why grocery shopping has become pricier and, more importantly, how you can stretch every dollar.

Reasons for the Surge in Grocery Prices

1. The Impact of the Pandemic on Food Prices
The pandemic did more than just disrupt our routines—it caused massive changes in supply chains. Factors like transportation disruptions, labor shortages, and even shifts in consumer behavior led to noticeable price hikes. Essentials like eggs, milk, meat, and vegetables have become pricier, impacting households across the globe.

2. Inflation: A Rising Tide in Your Cart
Post-pandemic, inflation has driven up costs in nearly every category, including groceries. And as prices increase, it’s more challenging to stick to a budget. For a family of two, grocery expenses that were once $200–$300 monthly now hover around $350–$400, depending on where you live.

3. Shifts in Consumer Demand and Preferences
With more people cooking at home, demand for certain pantry staples and cooking supplies surged, which, combined with supply issues, has also driven prices up. Items like flour, pasta, and canned goods became more expensive and remain in high demand.

4. Energy Costs: Rising energy prices influenced the cost of producing and transporting goods, directly affecting grocery prices.

5 .Global Events: The conflict in Ukraine, which affected the availability of grain, further spiked prices globally, especially in Europe​
World Economic Forum Office for National Statistics.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, households worldwide have faced a significant rise in grocery prices. For families in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, food costs have surged due to inflation, disrupted supply chains, and labor shortages. The following outlines some of the key changes and offers practical, budget-friendly tips for saving on groceries, especially useful for couples or small households.

Smart Tips for Grocery Shopping and Home Management

Now, let’s dive into some budget-friendly strategies that’ll help you save at the store and maximize your pantry at home. Spoiler: Pantrio can be your new shopping sidekick in achieving these goals!

Tip #1: Plan Your Meals Like a Pro

Why It Helps
Planning meals not only keeps you organized but also prevents you from buying unnecessary items. It lets you focus on what you actually need, minimizing food waste.

How Pantrio Makes It Easy
Pantrio’s meal planning feature allows you to organize meals for the week, so you’ll know exactly what to buy and in what quantities. You can save your favorite recipes and plan balanced meals around what’s already in your pantry, saving both time and money.

Tip #2: Track Expiration Dates to Prevent Waste

Why It Helps
Expiration dates are sneaky—they creep up on us, especially when we’re busy. Throwing out expired food is like tossing money straight into the trash.

How Pantrio Can Help
With Pantrio, you can set up alerts for expiration dates, helping you stay on top of your pantry’s status. You’ll get a reminder when it’s time to use up certain items, so nothing goes to waste.

Tip #3: Buy in Bulk (But Only When It Makes Sense)

Why It Helps
Buying in bulk can save money on items you use regularly, but it’s easy to get carried away. Stick to non-perishable pantry items that you know you’ll use, like pasta, rice, and canned goods.

How Pantrio Can Help
Pantrio’s pantry tracking allows you to monitor quantities, so you’ll know if you’re really out of an item or if you already have it hiding at the back of the pantry. No more accidental double buys!

Tip #4: Shop with a List (and Stick to It!)

Why It Helps
Shopping without a list is like going on a road trip without a map—you’ll probably end up buying things you don’t need. A list helps you focus and prevents impulse purchases.

How Pantrio Can Help
Create a grocery list directly in the Pantrio app, based on your meal plan and current pantry items. Plus, you can add items throughout the week so that when shopping day arrives, you’re fully prepared. Best Part is, you can collaborate on shopping list with your household too so they can add items to the list too. This avoids any miscommunication and confusion that happens.
Once shopping is done, swiftly move items to your pantry.

Tip #5: Embrace the Freezer for Longevity

Why It Helps
Freezing is a great way to extend the life of fresh produce, meats, and other perishable items. When you find a good deal, buy in bulk and freeze portions for future use.

How Pantrio Can Help
Pantrio’s pantry organization feature allows you to categorize freezer items and even note storage dates, so you’ll always know what’s frozen and ready to use.

Tip #6: Compare Prices and Opt for Store Brands

Why It Helps
Store brands are often just as good as name brands but can be significantly cheaper. Compare prices per ounce, liter, or other unit measures to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
For example, at costco you may pick 'Kirkland' brand.

Pantrio for Budget Monitoring
Tracking your spending on groceries is easy with Pantrio’s grocery management tools. You can note down prices, set budget goals, and even review your spending history.

As grocery costs continue to fluctuate, adopting smart shopping habits and effective pantry management is essential. With Pantrio’s features, from meal planning to pantry tracking, you’ll feel more in control of your budget and your kitchen. 

By making mindful shopping choices and managing your pantry effectively, you can curb your spending and maintain a budget-friendly, nutritious diet—even with today’s higher grocery prices. The Pantrio app, designed for efficient pantry and meal management, is an invaluable tool for anyone looking to cut grocery costs without sacrificing variety and nutrition.