SEEKONK, Mass. (WPRI) — Shopping for groceries can be a significant expense for many households, and the way grocery stores are set up can influence what shoppers buy.

Rae Caloura, a professor of marketing at Providence College, told 12 News that stores are set up to be inviting as soon as people walk in.

She said shoppers should go to the store with a plan in mind.

“What you want to do is be thoughtful about, ‘How much am I going to use?’ And then you’ve got to wait in order to stick on that budget,” Caloura explained.

She said prepared foods are often more expensive than their nonprepared counterparts.

And even if you’re not looking for a particular item in the sale section, stores will use colorful signs to catch your eye.

Shoppers should monitor the cost of items they typically buy, according to Caloura.

“The thing to be thoughtful of is don’t just look at savings. Look at what your unit cost is, how much is it per ounce, per pound, and compare it to what you would normally buy,” she said.

Caloura recommended getting to know your local butcher, that way they could give you a good cut of meat that may be on discount.

She also said to sign up for store rewards and keep an eye out for flyers for extra savings.

When it comes to your eating plan, some stores have dietitians on staff.

“We have a team of registered dietitians to offer free nutrition services,” Stop & Shop dietitian Emily Hayes said. “Some of the services that we offer range from online classes to cooking demonstrations.”

She recommended shopping for ingredients to make a balanced meal.

“I would say when you’re thinking about building a balanced meal, having at least half of your plate loaded up with colorful fruits and veggies is a great place to start,” Hayes said.

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