LOUISVILLE, Ky. — With inflation and higher gas prices compared to last year, retail data shows more people are buying at discounted stores, such as dollar stores, and also buying in bulk to save money. 

Hali Flatt used to buy liquid detergent. Now, she prefers powdered detergent because she told Spectrum News she gets more bang from her buck with it.

“$1.50, can’t go wrong with that,” Hali said while checking out with two packets of powdered detergent at Community Dollar in Louisville. 

Flatt said the higher cost of living now with inflation and gas prices has changed how she shops.

“I’m shopping at the Dollar Tree and dollar stores,” she said.

Data shows Flatt isn’t the only one shopping for a deal. National chain Dollar General stores saw its net sales increase 4.2% to $8.8 billion in the first quarter of 2022 compared to $8.4 billion in the first quarter last year.

Wholesale clubs that allow people to buy in bulk to save money have also had increased sales. Costco’s latest year-to-date earnings show net sales have increased 16.4% this year compared to the same time frame last year. Sam’s Club’s first quarter earnings this year showed membership income increased 10.5%.

The locally owned Community Dollar Store Flatt shopped at prices most of its items at $5 or less. However, Co-owner Eric Johnson said rising prices have affected their store, too.

“Our distributor who we get our products from, of course, inflation hit them so, of course, that makes the products higher for us. So we’ve got to compensate for that,” he said.

Another way to save more is simply by throwing away less. According to the USDA, Americans throw away 30-40% of their food supply, often because it goes uneaten until it’s no longer edible. So helping save on groceries, AARP recommends cooking at least one meal a week based entirely on foods lingering in your refrigerator or pantry.