Shoppers often assume that bigger packages automatically mean bigger savings, but that isn’t always the case. The idea behind “family-sized” packs is that buying in bulk reduces the cost per ounce. While this is sometimes true, clever packaging and hidden price strategies can trick consumers into paying more than expected. In an age of inflation…
Many shoppers head to the deli counter expecting fresh cuts of meat and cheese straight from trusted brands. But behind the glass, things aren’t always what they seem. To cut costs, increase profit margins, or respond to supply shortages, some delis have started quietly replacing name-brand or premium products with cheaper alternatives. The switch often…
When you buy meat at the deli counter or fruit at the grocery store, you trust that the food scale measures accurately. After all, you’re paying by weight, and even a small error could cost consumers millions over time. But recently, food scales have come under government investigation for possible inaccuracies and consumer deception. Officials…
For steak lovers, nothing compares to the satisfaction of choosing the right cut and cooking it to perfection. Yet many shoppers feel overwhelmed standing at the meat counter, unsure of what truly makes a steak great. While marketing labels can be confusing, butchers know the insider tips that separate a good choice from a bad…
The bulk bin aisle of a grocery store is a favorite for many budget-conscious and eco-friendly shoppers. It allows you to buy the exact amount of an ingredient you need, which reduces both food and packaging waste. However, the major food manufacturers that produce the brand-name, packaged versions of these same products see the bulk…
Bagged salad mixes are the definition of convenience, but they are also one of the highest-risk products in the grocery store for foodborne illness. The complex journey from the field to the bag involves a huge amount of processing and handling, which creates many opportunities for contamination. Leafy greens are frequently the subject of recalls…
The front of a food package is a battlefield for your attention, and marketers use a powerful arsenal of unregulated buzzwords to win your trust. These terms are carefully chosen to make a product seem healthier, higher-quality, or more wholesome than it is. However, because these words have no official, legally binding definition from the…
It is one of the most frustrating moments in modern grocery shopping. You do all the work of clipping digital coupons in the store’s app, but when you enter your phone number at checkout, some of the discounts fail to apply. The coupon that was active just minutes before seems to have vanished into thin…
The “mystery box” has become a popular sales gimmick for online retailers. It is a pre-packaged bundle of goods sold at a discount, with the catch being that the customer does not know exactly what is inside. But what happens behind the scenes when a customer places an order for one of these boxes and…