Today, it was announced that retail sales are 5.8% higher than pre-pandemic levels – with recent ONS data showing that sales were up by 5.2% compared to the previous three months.

As consumers are less inclined to save when shopping in-store, financial experts at money.co.uk suggest now it’s more important than ever for people to shop more sensibly when doing their day-to-day shopping.

James Andrews, senior personal finance expert at money.co.uk said: “When shopping in-store as opposed to online, it’s easy to get distracted by random offers on things you weren’t even considering buying before you left the house. Since lockdown restrictions have eased and more people are shopping in store, it’s important to know how to spend responsibly.

“When it comes to your grocery shopping, learning when to hit the supermarkets is crucial. Most have a set time to mark down products, so planning your weekly shop around these times can help you pick up a reduced bargain. The simplest way to find out when prices are cut is reassuringly old-school – just ask a member of staff while you’re there.

“But as with any discount, make sure you don’t get distracted by bargains and end up with something you don’t really want or need. It’s worth trying out own-brand or budget alternatives to products too – if you end up liking them as much or more than their higher-profile counterparts, you could save serious money over the long term.

“It’s also important to note that you can pay more at local convenience stores like Tesco Express and Sainsbury’s Local, so it’s best to shop at the full-size supermarkets if that’s an option.

“Downloading supermarket apps is also key to saving your money. Doing this will keep your loyalty points and coupons in one place and claiming your rewards can be done with a quick scan. With these apps, you also get notified of deals and discounts you can take advantage of through emails.

“Taking advantage of cashback apps is also vital, but it’s important to note that certain apps work differently. With apps such as TopCashBack or Quidco, you get direct cashback on purchases made from selected retailers. Alternatively, the platform Shoppix is a receipt scanning brand. With this, you can build tokens that can be exchanged for gift vouchers and cash prices.

“If you’re still struggling to cut the costs of your everyday shops, be sure to visit money.co.uk’s comprehensive guide here: https://www.money.co.uk/guides/10-ways-to-cut-the-cost-of-your-weekly-shop.htm”.