Reduced to Clear opening set to aid student cost of living strain

Source: Eduardo Soares / Unsplash.   

Supermarket chain Reduced to Clear has opened a store in Christchurch, the first of its kind in the South Island offering an alternative for groceries. Only selling products that are either close to their best-before dates or just after – all for a reduced price.  

The store offers much welcomed relief for shoppers, as the cost of living crisis continues to affect how much those can spend on their groceries, especially students.  

Store manager Georgia Coumbe told Canta that it is of utmost importance that her store supports the local community by providing an alternative shopping environment to those who need it. 

“It is really important to us that we can make buying everyday food items affordable, and we are always looking to broaden our range to ensure there are balanced options and something for everybody,” she said. 

“We really care about our customers and want them to keep returning to us, so we go out of our way to ensure our value proposition is always evolving in terms of value and choice.” 

The arrival of Reduced to Clear in Ōtautahi could not have come any sooner, as students bear the brunt of cost of living, especially entering the colder months.  

Ilam MP Hamish Campbell told Canta that Cost of Living is a nation-wide problem and one of the most common issues students raise with him.  

“Initiatives like the Reduced to Clear store can help make things more affordable for students, which is a positive step,” he said.   

Campbell also mentioned Reduced to Clear’s positive environmental impact on what is a high-wastage industry, and the subsequent impact on how much students are paying. 

“It also has environmental benefits, which not only eases the financial burden on students but also contributes to environmental preservation. 

“WasteMINZ report that removing avoidable home food waste would be equivalent to reducing CO2 emissions by 325,975 tonnes, which is the same as planting 130,390 trees or removing 118,107 cars from the road for a year,” Campbell said.  

Coumbes additionally said that how Reduced to Clear is perfect for those on a “student’s budget,” as groceries such as yogurt, cheese and general merchandise is sold at discounted prices, in comparison to what shoppers would normally have to pay at a regular supermarket.