Families, friends, and even roommates are teaming up to save more on groceries by buying in bulk and sharing the cost. This strategy is particularly popular at big box stores like Costco and Sam’s Club.

The concept of “bulk sharing,” highlighted by the Wall Street Journal, is attracting many American shoppers who are eager to cut costs on everyday items.

Marissa Verna explained to “Good Morning America” how she splits bulk purchases with her sister Jill.

“I don’t need 40 bags of this toddler snack,” Verna said. “So I asked my sister, ‘Do you want to split these? You take 20 bags, and I’ll keep the other 20.’”

Verna also emphasized the importance of snagging sale items in addition to sharing bulk products.

Kristy Davies’ family of five in New Jersey has used this method to reduce their grocery bill by nearly $75 every week.

“It’s all about ease and convenience,” said Davies.

Shopping Together Saves Money

Davies often coordinates shopping trips to Costco with her mother, Janet, and they split the bill and share the groceries afterward. Fresh fruit is one of the key items they share.

“Sometimes buying in bulk gives me too much of something, so I share it with Kristy,” her mom explained.

Before purchasing items at a regular store, Davies considers the last time they shopped at a warehouse club, prioritizing bulk items to maximize savings.

Recent government data shows that grocery prices have stabilized after experiencing rapid increases during the COVID-19 pandemic over the past few years.

According to the USDA, the average family spends about 11% of its disposable income on food, the highest percentage in 30 years.

Hitha Herzog, a retail analyst and chief research officer at H Squared Research, cautioned that buying in bulk isn’t always the most cost-effective choice.

“If your group tends to buy pricey, pre-packaged items like charcuterie boards or pre-cut vegetables, the savings from bulk buying may be less significant compared to purchasing individual items,” she said.