Economy changes laundry
The economy has dramatically affected the way we do laundry and sales of laundry detergent.
Proctor & Gamble, who have controlled 60% of the laundry detergent market (5 times the share of its nearest competitor), and the makers of Tide, the #1 selling laundry detergent have been affected in some areas. In one particular supermarket chain, Tide dropped in sales by 46% this year, while Purex shot up 38%. In another supermarket chain, shoppers remained loyal to their higher priced Tide. Sun liquid laundry detergent saw an increase in sales nationwide of 132%!
Another smaller supermarket chain said they are starting to carry obscure brands that no-one would have previously bought. On that note, a recent market research revealed that shoppers will take into consideration the cost per ounce, without considering whether one is more concentrated than another.
Some supermarket chains are increasing their offerings of club size multipacks of laundry detergent. Buy in bulk to save is their MO.
Sales of store brand laundry detergent are up to one degree or another in all chains nationwide.
So what’s the million dollar answer for consumers?
1. Make your decision based on cost per load, not cost per ounce.
2. Don’t be brand loyal.
3. Use half as much detergent as called for.
4. Don’t assume largest package is best value. Smaller packages on sale will sometimes beat larger non-sale packages. Add a coupon to the mix, and the scales almost always tip in favor of the smaller package.
5. Don’t wait until you run out of laundry detergent to buy some. Chances are it won’t be on the best sale on the day you rush out to buy it. “Invest” in laundry detergent when it is on a rock bottom sale and with a coupon. This week Ralphs CA Purex Ultra 5.99 down to 1.29 (today’s the last day). The deals are nationwide, Fry’s in AZ (also a Kroger store) will have it for final price 1.29 on this coming list at www.TheGroceryGame.com. King Soopers (another Kroger) in CO had Purex at a final price of 1.49. Albertsons Oregon just had it for final price 2.49. A few weeks ago, Gamers in FL invested in Fab for 1.65. And the list goes on and on… I just “invested” in laundry detergent yesterday. And I wasn’t anywhere near out of it yet.
4. Pre-soak, pre-treat spots, and run shorter cycles to save on energy.
5. Wash in cold water to save on energy, and keep colors and fabric new.
Still stuck on Tide? It’s an amazing phenomenon. Believers in Tide swear by it. Just know this, Tide is always more expensive, even on sale with a coupon. But if you’re a loyal Tide user, at least “invest” in it when it’s on sale with a coupon.
