Supermarket network IGA has introduced a staggered shopping initiative designed to distribute the financial burden over several weeks, alleviating the intense budget impact during the peak of the Christmas season.

With the holiday just weeks away, IGA advises beginning early with certain pantry and household essentials. Here's a breakdown to maximize savings:

  1. Six weeks before Christmas: Focus on non-perishables like dried herbs, dried fruits, and essential kitchen wraps like cling film and foil.
  2. Five weeks ahead: Add snacks and accompaniments to your cart, including chips, nuts, soft drinks, and various condiments.
  3. Four weeks before: It’s time to think about the main components, such as ham, and treat sweets like Christmas cakes and candy canes, advising freezing the ham for freshness.
  4. With three weeks to go: Purchase frozen veggies, fruits, seafood, and pastries to complete the menu.
  5. Two weeks out: Consider adding turkey, desserts like ice cream and mince pies, and fan-favorite shortbread.
  6. In the final week: Prioritize fresh items; shop for produce, dairy, fresh pastries, and meats like bacon.

Joseph Romeo, chair of IGA’s national retailer council, emphasizes the strategy's effectiveness, stating, "It's all about beating the chaos at Christmas." He further observes, “the pre-shop prep is crucial,” urging customers to leverage weekly specials and discounts outlined in IGA’s catalog.

An integral part of this plan is IGA’s attempt to provide special deals not only for Christmas staples but tailored weekly discounts. It helps ease financial pressure as reported by 64% of participants in a November survey commissioned by IGA, which highlighted stress over rising grocery costs during the festive period. The source of this information, however, is News Corp Australia.

Interestingly, the same survey underlines shopping habits, indicating that more than 30% either postpone their holiday shopping to the last week or fail to plan entirely. Moreover, there seems to be a generational variation in Christmas dining traditions: people under the age of 35 swing towards barbeques and roast meats, while those over 55 prefer prawns on their table.

IGA's initiative could, therefore, cater to varied consumer preferences and is about forgiving pockets rather than forcing everyone into the crowded last-minute rush. The nationwide network of around 1400 IGA stores competes with larger grocery chains like Woolworths, Coles, and Aldi, offering consumers more options to resolve festive financial dilemmas strategically.