A look at how you can keep the cost of your grocery shop down, according to comparison site mysupermarket.co.uk.

:: Prepare a list

Whether you shop in store or online, take the time to organise your food shop to protect you from unnecessary spending. Armed with a list, you will not be tempted or confused by offers you do not need.

:: Watch out for false economies

Supermarkets sometimes use multibuy promotions to get us to spend more. What is more, most of us do not even use the extra products, resulting in more food waste. To see if an offer is really worth it, remember to compare the price per unit and think "am I buying this because I need it, or because it is on offer?"

:: Bulk buy the non-perishables

If you have the space, then bulk buying non-perishable items when they are on offer prevents you from paying more later down the road. Stock up whilst the price is down and save in the long run. Some classic examples of products that will suddenly appear on a great deal and which are ideal for bulk buying are: washing up liquid, shower gel, tinned tomatoes, crisps, toilet paper, deodorant, toothpaste and fizzy drinks.

:: Swap and save

Bigger packs do not always mean better value. Remember to check unit price when comparing items, it may actually be cheaper to get smaller packs. Also consider switching your brand loyalty and experiment with other manufacturers' products. This does not always mean moving to own brand but by increasing flexibility you will be able to bag more bargains.

:: Compare

With every supermarket claiming to be the cheapest, how can you really know that you are paying the best price on your weekly shop? Compare your shop from retailer to retailer and you will always get the best deal.