Where to shop?

Theme: Consumerism

Grade: 10-12

Introduction

Is the hypermarket really cheaper than the supermarket: is the supermarket always cheaper than the local convenience store (the corner cafe)? Where is the best place to shop? Let's settle this debate for once and for all.

Task

You work for a market research company and you have been approached by a local newspaper to settle the argument about where the cheapest foods can found, and which town is the cheapest for buying food. The outcome must be a recommendation on which one-stop-shop will be the most cost-effective for the consumer. Produce:

1. a short newspaper article supported by a table of comparative data for shops in your local town
2. a short newspaper article supported by a table of comparative data for the cheapest product prices in your town and the prices of the same products in other towns in this country.

Select five items from each of the food groups. Compare the prices of these items in at least three local shops. One must be a hypermarket (or very large store), and one must be a local convenience store such as a local cafe.

Connect with a class in another town, either by email or some other telecommunication means. Compare your class data and recommendations with those of your partner classes. Which is the cheapest town for food prices? Is the same chain of stores the cheapest in each town?

Use a spreadsheet to capture data and make calculations.

Process

For this assignment, you will work in teams of four and you will divide your task into roles as follows (click on each role for more information):

1. Market Researcher
2. Data Analyst
3. Liaison Officer
4. Freelance Journalist

As a team you should first decide what five items from each food group you will research. Each role has a responsibility but the work may be shared amongst your group - this is your decision.

Resources

Assessment

Conclusion

You have engaged in a typical market research activity and provided the consumers with useful information to support their shopping decisions. You have enhanced your research through telecollaboration, which has enabled you to compare your findings with other classes in other towns. You will be able to give your parents sound advice when they next do the grocery shopping.