Unless you’re completely self-sufficient, then grocery shopping is an essential part of your life.

Cost of living pressures mean consumers are spending more time shopping around for savings on their grocery bill. One way to help you save time and money is to check unit pricing.

Unit pricing helps to make sure you get bang for your buck. It not only shows the cost of a product, but also the value of the product as a price per standard unit of measurement, allowing you to compare the cost of grocery products quickly and accurately. For example between brands, specials, and package sizes, between packaged and unpackaged, or fresh and frozen.

Most supermarkets, large grocery stores, and online grocery stores must display unit pricing, in store, online and in advertising for most everyday grocery items like food, drinks, cleaning and personal products.

Smaller stores and stores that don’t sell a wide range of groceries don't have to display unit pricing, but they can choose to.

Some products, including hardware, appliances, toys, alcohol, and clothing, don't need to display a unit price.

Consumer Protection has some money-saving tips to keep in mind when using unit pricing during your next shop.

The unit price of large packs is often (but not always) lower than smaller packs – so it pays to check all sizes, as well as across the different brands. Also avoid buying a bigger pack if it’s likely to go to waste.

Look out for special offers which might temporarily have the lowest unit price but it’s still worth comparing to the larger size unit price in case it’s better value.

If a product is available loose and pre-packaged, check the unit price of both. For example, you see a pack of rolled oats sachets on special for $5.00, with a unit price of $1.36 per 100g. Then you check and compare it with a 500g box of rolled oats for $4.50, with a unit price of $0.90 per 100g. You can then decide which is better value and would best suit your situation.

It's also worth comparing the unit prices in different parts of the supermarket as the same product may be sold in different sections. For example, different brands of nuts and dried fruit could be found in the baking section and health food section.

It’s a good idea to keep your grocery receipts and check your items scanned at the advertised price. Businesses must display clear and accurate prices, so if the retailer displays more than one price for the same product, or the price at checkout doesn’t match the displayed price, they must sell the product for the lowest displayed price or withdraw it from sale until they correct the price. 

Some supermarkets have policies where you will be given the item for free if it scans at a higher price than the shelf price.

For more information on unit pricing and how it can help you save money, visit the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) website: www.accc.gov.au/consumers/groceries/grocery-unit-prices