We've co-written this article with the support of our King's Student Money Mentors, who have shared useful discounts on groceries and shopping that have saved them a lot of money during their time in London.
Groceries
One of your biggest expenses will be groceries, and the easiest way to save money on these is to shop at budget supermarkets like Lidl and Tesco rather than Waitrose and Marks & Spencer. Also, prices are usually slightly higher at the smaller shops near campus like Tesco Express or Sainsbury’s Local, so it is always worth doing one big weekly shop at a supermarket rather than many little shops during the week.
There are a range of options where you can go to do your grocery shopping. You can shop locally for essential items and in some areas local shops may have better stocks of speciality items. Local markets can be good for picking up bargains or buying food in bulk.
All of the following will stock seasonal produce and run special offers, they can vary in price and quality.
Cheapest with alternative named brands and household promotions:
Unfortunately, neither of these supermarkets offer delivery services.
Iceland stock a large range of frozen food as well as other groceries, and this shop does offer delivery.
Medium range with known brands and home delivery services:
Higher price range but some higher quality goods:
Marks & Spencer offer a range of goods; in addition to full department stores they have separate food stores, but this cannot be ordered online from Marks & Spencer.
Ocado is an online-only grocery delivery service, offering Marks & Spencer branded groceries and other known brands.
Do any shops offer a student discount on food?
Check out any supermarkets that offer student discounts on Totum. For more information on general student discount apps for food, read our article What apps are there to help me manage my money?
Many shops offer general discount schemes, usually through a loyalty card or app. As these are generally free to sign up for, it’s worth looking out for these for any shops or supermarkets that you think you will regularly go to.
Popular schemes include:
- Tesco Clubcard, which gives you discounted prices on many items and gives you access to a discounted meal deal. You also gain Clubcard points with every £1 you spend which can then be redeemed to get money off future shops. To download, go to Tesco Grocery and Clubcard on Google Play or Tesco Grocery and Clubcard on the App Store.
- Nectar App for Sainsbury’s (Nector App on the App Store and Nector App on Google Play)
- ASDA Rewards App, where you gain ASDA pounds through regular shops and buying certain items, which can then be transformed into vouchers from £1-£100 (ASDA Rewards on the App Store and ASDA Rewards on Google Play).
- Lidl Plus app, which has regular schemes where you can get discounted or even free items with every shop and you get bespoke discounts depending on your recent shopping history that you can activate on your phone before you pay. To download, go to Lidl Plus on the App Store or Lidl Plus on Google Play.
- Co-Op Membership which gives you tailored coupons each week.
Money saving tips for supermarkets
Home brands: When buying your groceries, home brands are usually cheaper than famous brands and might even taste the same. So, if you don’t mind the plain packaging, go for the home brand.
Price reductions: Many supermarkets reduce their prices in store at certain times during the day, often at the end of the day. If you’re using your local supermarket in person, take note of when you might get reduced items. But of course even if it’s “on sale”, it’s only a good buy if you will use it!
Store loyalty cards or apps: Don't forget to bring your loyalty card or use the supermarket's app, as most offer discounted prices and allow you to collect points which can be redeemed for vouchers.
Coupons: Coupons are also a great way to save. Find out more with the MoneySavingExpert. Most coupons are available online as a code so can be used paperless.
Household Essentials
Most household essentials can be found in the large supermarkets in the list mentioned above, but often options will vary depending on the size of the store, if you’re shopping in-person.
Other shops offering household items, all of which can be ordered online include:
Access to shops will vary; for example, you're likely to find an Argos in most town centres or high streets but increasingly homeware stores are moving to larger out-of-town shopping centres or retail parks; for example, IKEA is usually in a retail park and most accessible by car.
Most stores offer ‘click & collect’ options and delivery and can be ordered online. We recommend checking their delivery options and returns policies before ordering.
Medicines, toiletries & beauty products
Many of these types of products including basic medicines like painkillers, can be found in supermarkets. Some supermarkets even have a pharmacy counter. Independent pharmacies are also low-cost suppliers of the toiletries, vitamins, first aid necessities and beauty items.
For medicines on prescriptions, remember to register with a GP first. Many GP practices have pharmacies attached or very nearby, which can be the most convenient option for obtaining your medicines. If you’re unsure where to use, the reception at your GP practice should be able to advise of the nearest pharmacy. There is an NHS Health Centre on the third floor of the South-East Wing at Bush House, with specific services for contraception and prescriptions.
Pharmacies can also offer help and clinical advice to manage minor health concerns and offer ‘over-the-counter’ medicines – these are medicines dispensed by pharmacists but which don’t require a prescription from your doctor. For more detail, refer to the NHS guidance on pharmacy help & 'over-the-counter’ medicine.
These are chain shops which can be found on most high streets:
Both shops offer a wide selection of toiletries, beauty products and many of their stores have a pharmacy counter as well.
Collect points and save money
Both Boots and Superdrug, as well as other stores of this type, offer store cards to collect points. Whichever shop you’re using, if you shop regularly it could be worth seeing if they have points cards to help you save money.
Stationery
Ryman is part of a chain of stationery shops, offering a wide selection of office stationery and furniture.
Paperchase has more luxury items and gifts, sold online and in Tesco
TGJones offers a wide range of stationery items, including art & craft supplies
Wilko offers many items at quite low prices online, from stationery to bedding to toiletries
The Range is more accessible online since most shops are in retail parks but offers a range of stationery, arts and craft and household items for fairly low prices
Many of these types of shops offer student discounts, for which you may need to present a Totum card or sometimes your student ID card will be sufficient. Other student discount cards may also have codes for these shops such as UNiDAYS, Student Beans and STUK so it’s always worth checking.
Bookshops
These are some bookshops that sells a large range of books from fiction, academic books, travel guides, etc:
Amazon can also offer second-hand books which can be cheaper than buying new, but often in very good condition
Many of these type of shops offer student discounts, for which you may need to present a Totum or other student discount card. Sometimes your student ID card will be sufficient.
Other useful shops
These are moderately sized store selling toiletries, garden-ware, and basic groceries (like biscuits, tea and coffee) at a low price.
Charity shops
Buying in charity shops is a great way to save money (as they are very cheap), as well as a good way to donate to their cause. Likewise, if you have items that you do not wish to use anymore, instead of throwing them away, usable items can be donated to charity shops.
Have a look on your high street for:
Some of these have started offering online shopping, so why not try this as an alternative for some of your shopping needs, especially for clothing, which supports good causes and is a more sustainable option. Check out your local high street – there may be many other charity shops in your area not named in our list.
Sales & discounts
Shopping when there’s a sale is a great way to save money. But only buy the item if you will definitely use it.
Remember to check if an item’s price has really been reduced by using comparison websites to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.
- Student discounts: One of the perks of being a student are the discounts you can get. Always check to see if there’s a student discount available in-store and online.
- Visit Save the Student and the Money Saving Expert for deals and discounts.
- If you would like to get a student discount app but don’t want to pay a subscription fee, check out UNiDAYS, StudentBeans, Totum and STUK.CO. These are free popular apps where you sign up using your student email and get access to deals offered by popular brands.
- Seasonal sales: Most retail shops have seasonal sales, so plan ahead to get the best deal possible. If there’s something you’d like but don’t need it right now, it can pay to wait a month or two, as sales tend to come around often. That top could be half-price next month!
- Loyalty schemes: Getting a loyalty card from your local supermarket or other shops will let you earn points for your purchases and give you access to discounts and deals.
- Important to know: Remember to read the terms & conditions of loyalty schemes as they may charge you a fee. Check out Save the Student to find out the perks of a range of loyalty cards and Money to the Masses for information on supermarkets.
- Moves+ app: The Moves+ app and, which is part of the King’s Move scheme, is an app where you can turn your steps into rewards like a free hot drink, or cake or pastry, at King’s Food outlets, or even a day pass to a King's Sport & Wellness gym.