10 practical tips for saving money on everyday shopping in Slovenia

Saving money on daily shopping becomes especially important in times of rising prices and inflation. These economic factors reduce purchasing power and increase the cost of goods and services.

A rational approach to spending helps accumulate and maintain financial stability, build a reserve for unexpected circumstances, and achieve long-term goals, such as buying property or making investments.

How to find the best prices on essential products?

• Use online resources for price comparison. Websites like Ceneje.si allow you to compare prices for various products across different stores, helping you choose the most cost-effective options.
• Buy seasonal produce. Prices for fruits and vegetables can drop significantly during harvest season. Purchasing seasonal products is not only economical but also ensures higher quality and freshness.
• Visit farmers' markets. These markets offer fresh produce at competitive prices, especially when buying directly from producers.

Coupons and loyalty cards for savings

Using coupons and loyalty cards is one of the most effective ways to cut shopping costs. Major supermarket chains such as Mercator, Spar, Tuš, and Lidl offer loyalty programs that grant access to discounts, special offers, and other perks.

Mercator Pika loyalty card

The Pika card allows customers to collect bonus points with every purchase, which can be used to pay for items. Its key benefits include:

• Exclusive discounts for cardholders.
• Participation in special promotions.
• Installment payment options for selected products.
• Bonus points redeemable for future purchases.
• Electronic coupons for additional discounts in the Mercator online shop.

Spar coupons

Spar provides coupons accessible through the mobile app or in physical stores. Advantages include:

• Regular promotions with discounts of up to 50%.
• Personalized offers based on shopping preferences.
• Discounts on bulk purchases or on specific days of the week.
• Extra bonuses for using the Spar Plus app.
• Special benefits for pensioners.

Tuš club card

The Tuš Club card helps customers save on every purchase and participate in exclusive club promotions. Its features include:

• Discounts on club products marked in stores.
• Cashback in the form of points that can be exchanged for coupons and used for in-store and online purchases.
• Gifts and participation in prize draws for club members.
• Special promotions for large families and pensioners.

Lidl plus loyalty program

Lidl Outlet offers a digital loyalty program, enabling savings through multiple options:

• Exclusive discounts on many products.
• Electronic coupons for additional price reductions.
• Weekly personalized deals based on shopping habits.
• In-store promotions with gifts or extra benefits for specific purchases.
• Special prize campaigns during holidays.

How to take advantage of discounts on essential groceries like oil, flour, and sugar?

• Check promotional leaflets from supermarkets like Spar, Hofer flyer, Lidl, Mercator, Tuš, and Eurospin catalogue. These retailers publish special offers and discounts on groceries.
• Use online platforms such as Geobuyer, which aggregates current deals, offers a blog with shopping tips, and provides tools for organizing purchases.
• Download store apps to be the first to know about discounts.
• Buy in bulk. Larger packaging often means a lower cost per unit or per kilogram/litre.
• Register for store loyalty programs. Mercator, Spar, and other supermarket chains offer additional perks through their membership cards.
• Look for special discount days targeted at specific customer groups.

By following these strategies, you can stock up on essential groceries without straining your household budget and free up funds for other expenses.

Where to find discounts on furniture and home goods?

In Slovenia, you can find great deals on furniture and home essentials by checking catalogues from major retailers such as Jysk Outlet, Mömax, and Lesnina. These stores offer a wide selection of furniture, textiles, and accessories with frequent discounts and promotions.

• Jysk catalogue is updated monthly, featuring discounts of up to 65% and special business offers.
• Mömax provides stylish interior solutions with seasonal price reductions of up to 60%, promotions on furniture sets, and online shopping discounts.
• XXXL Lesnina flyer is known for high-quality furniture across various price ranges, offering savings of up to 70% and installment payment options.

These companies publish their latest catalogues on their official websites, in stores, and on Geobuyer, making it easy to track new deals and plan home improvements in advance while minimizing costs.

When Are the Best Seasonal Sales in Slovenia?

In Slovenia, the biggest sales coincide with the end of seasons, holidays, and major shopping events. Here are the key periods when you can find the best bargains:

Winter Promotions

Pre-Christmas sales begin in early December and last until Christmas. Stores and shopping centres offer discounts on gift sets, decorations, festive items, toys, and holiday food to attract customers before the holidays.

Winter Sales last from January to late February, stores slash prices by up to 70% on winter clothing, footwear, sports equipment, home appliances, and furniture to clear space for new spring collections.

Summer campaigns

Summer Sales typically run from late June to the end of August, covering summer apparel, footwear, gardening supplies, sports gear, and outdoor furniture. Most retailers cut prices on seasonal products before autumn arrives.

Also in August, the Back to School campaign is taking place with big discounts on stationery, school supplies, office-style clothing, furniture, and technology such as laptops, smart gadgets, and smartphones.

Autumn – the season of big discounts

Black Friday Slovenia is taking place on the last Friday of November, Black Friday is one of the biggest sales events of the year. Shoppers can find exceptional deals across all product categories, with savings of up to 80%. Many stores start offering discounts a week in advance, extending them through Cyber Monday.

Tips for reducing unnecessary spending while shopping: tips for saving

Here are some techniques to cut down on unnecessary spending during shopping trips:

• Determine your budget and make a shopping list in advance, and stick to it strictly.
• Compare prices in different shops and online platforms, pay attention to promotions, discounts and seasonal sales.
• Avoid impulse purchases, give yourself time to think: if you see an item you like, put the purchase on hold for 24 hours. This will help you determine if you really need it.
• Don't fall for adverts that promise huge discounts on items you don't need.
• Shopping aimlessly should also be discouraged.
• Choose a time to shop. Do it better in the morning, when shops are less busy, on weekdays and days of discounts and sales.
• Choose quality items to avoid repeated spending.
• Sign up for shop loyalty programmes. This will help you get discounts and bonuses on your next purchases.
• Note that online shops often offer better prices compared to physical branches.
• Don't ignore FlixBus, Trivago and shopping apps. These are great ways to save money, whether it's on travel, accommodation or everyday purchases. 

By following these recommendations, you can not only organize your personal space, cut unnecessary costs, and improve your financial well-being but also build a financial safety net for unforeseen circumstances such as job loss or unexpected expenses.