Three items to always buy at Co-op and two things to avoid

BARGAIN hunters will know there are plenty of deals to be found at Co-op – but you’ll need to know exactly what to look for.

The supermarket is known for having an array of products on offer.

From frozen food to chocolate treats and cupboard essentials, there is aisle after aisle to be explored.

You can find your nearest Co-op by checking on the store’s website and typing in your postcode.

The supermarket recently announced shoppers will get cheaper prices if they are a loyalty scheme member.

The Co-op membership enables shoppers to earn 2p for every £1 spent on own-brand products.

The pennies earned back are stored in the member’s digital wallet a digital balance is tallied with your spending.

You’ll be charged a one-off £1 fee to join the scheme.

Below we round up three things to look out for at the discount store and a couple to avoid.

Bear in mind that the prices mentioned below may not be the same as the ones in your local store.

And remember, it’s only a bargain if you were after the product anyway.

The items you should buy at Co-op

Frozen food

Like many supermarkets, Co-op has its own unique offers and promotions that become customer favourites.

The supermarket regularly has promotional deals on frozen food, with past offers including a “fakeaway” meal deal” and pizza feast.

At the moment, shoppers can get their hands on freezer favourites for £5 – and it’s perfect for tea time.

The deal includes all of the following for a fiver with a Co-op membership, or £6 without:

• Birds Eye Mixed Vegetables (340g) – £1
• Red Berry Solero (x3) – £2.40
• Birds Eye Mini Potato Waffles (456g) – £2.45
• Birds Eye Chicken Burgers (x4) – £2.95
• Magnum Classic (x3) – £3.50

The deals save you £12 on the price of buying each item individually, if you have a membership card.

So it’s always worth browsing the freezer aisle to see if you can grab yourself a teatime bargain.

Clearance chocolate

Retailers often drop prices in order for stores to clear excess stock, and Co-op is no exception.

Savvy shoppers often take to social media to share the items that they managed to bag for knock-down prices.

One bargain hunter shared a photograph of a box of Lindor salted caramel chocolates, which had been reduced from £6 to just £1.13.

And it’s not the first time shoppers have lucked out on chocolate prices at Co-op.

Another shopper managed to get a box of Celebrations for just 88p.

Both of these deals were spotted around Easter when the retailer was selling off sweet treats that hadn’t been snapped up.

So it’s a good idea to keep your eyes peeled for these deals around key holiday dates like Easter and Christmas.

Kids’ meals

Savvy mums have been taking to Facebook to share their bargain buys after snapping up reduced kids‘ ready meals from the Co-op.

One haul included Annabel Karmel meals from just 47p and numerous packs of Ella’s Kitchen chicken nuggets and mini fishcakes for 75p each.

Items to avoid

Shoppers were livid after Co-op upped the price of its meal deal last year.

The deal, which usually includes a sandwich or wrap, snack and drink costs £3.50 for members and £4 for regular shoppers.

For shoppers without a Co-op membership, it’s the most expensive supermarket meal deal.

So if you want to grab lunch on the go, you may want to think about shopping around first before heading to Co-op.

Stocking up on cupboard essentials at Co-op can also prove to be pretty costly.

Shoppers have previously taken to social media to blast the supermarket for the cost of items such as laundry liquid.

Post in the Scrimping on a Budget Facebook page, one shopper shared a photo of a Fairy gel platinum (38 washes) on sale for £10.

The shopper said they had tried Aldi’s own brand laundry liquid that they described as “great”.

A bottle of Aldi‘s Almat bio liquid Wash is just £2.79 – and you get two extra washes.

Of course, whether you want to spend on something will depend on your personal taste so it’s always worth checking it out before you opt not to buy.

Meanwhile, you’ve been shopping at Primark all wrong – here are fives ways to bag a bargain.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk