Summer Scanning and Travel

Summer begins next week, can you believe it?

We know that the summer season is a busy time for many between taking kids to camp or other summer activities, going to the beach or pool, going on vacation, entertaining and/or attending events, parties, etc. The summer can sometimes feel like it’s just flying by faster than we would like it to.

But, it can also be a time to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Maybe you enjoy taking long walks, gardening, going to farmer’s markets or craft fairs, taking short day trips, attending outdoor concerts, or just relaxing at home in the AC on those very hot and humid days.

What are some of your favorite things to do in the summer months?

Summertime shopping

Do you shop more, less, or the same during the summer months as you do at other times of the year? I find that my shopping habits change slightly during the summer. I buy more fresh fruits and vegetables (from farmer’s markets) and more food and non-food items for grilling during the summer months. If you have children, maybe you pick up school and/or college supplies throughout the summer.

Scanning reminders

Each year before the summer begins, I like to mention a few shopping reminders about items that may be overlooked when it comes to scanning.

– It’s easy to forget to scan small items that get placed in a beach/pool tote bag or a purse right after you buy them such as sunscreen, cosmetics, lip balm, sunglasses, insect repellent, wipes, hand sanitizers, gum/other candy, snacks, and so on.

– There may be times when you need to stop at a store to pick up a few things when you’re on the way to the beach/pool, a BBQ, a park, a sporting event, etc. These might include food items such as snacks, beverages (including beer and liquor), desserts/fruit, as well as non-food items such as insect repellent, sunscreen, beach/pool toys, etc. Scanning these types of “on-the-go” purchases is very important. It ensures that your shopping data accurately represents your purchases and shopping habits. If for any reason you can’t scan the items at the time of purchase, save the packaging or write down the barcode numbers and enter the purchases when you get home (and save the receipt, of course).

– Do you usually buy travel size items for a trip? If so, be sure to scan them before packing them away in your luggage.

– Summer is usually a great time to catch up on your reading. Be sure to scan any books or magazines you purchase.

– Summer is also a great time for grilling. Please make sure to scan all of your BBQ-related purchases (burgers, hot dogs, buns, condiments, paper plates & plastic utensils, marinades, grilling tools, charcoal & lighter fluid, etc.).

Summertime travel

Will you be traveling this summer? In a recent instant poll on our panel member website, we asked:

Are you planning to take a vacation this summer?
Yes, a trip
Yes, a staycation
Don’t know/haven’t decided
No

Of those who responded to this instant poll, 33% said they were going to take a trip, 7% said a staycation was in their summer plans, 26% didn’t know or were still undecided, and 34% said they would not be taking a summer vacation.

Check out these summer travel scanning tips:

– If you use the NCPMobile app, you can still keep scanning while you’re on vacation.

– If you’ll be away and unable to scan, please contact NCP’s Panel Support Center and let one of our reps know. This way, you won’t miss out on reward points and you will avoid getting scanning reminder communications from NCP.

– Please remember to scan all the items you buy in preparation for your vacation, especially if you’re going on a road trip and taking a variety of foods and beverages with you.

Scanning consistently throughout the year, and especially in the busy summer months, is so important. NCP needs to get consistent, weekly shopping data from all panel members in order to provide accurate reports to clients, and to ensure that our panel members’ shopping opinions and consumer voices are heard. We appreciate the extra effort to make sure every purchase counts, every week, and every season throughout the year.

If you have any of your own summer scanning tips to share, please let me know in the comments section – thanks!

Have a fun and safe summer, everyone!

Regards,
Taylor

More from NCP

Summer Scanning (June 13, 2023)

Summertime Shopping (July 29, 2022)

Blog comment reminder: If you have a panel-related issue that you need assistance with such as a problem with scanning or your rewards, please contact our Panel Support Center directly and they will be happy to assist you! You can reach them at 1-800-962-6700 or email them at [email protected]. You can send a message from NCP’s Facebook page. Please don’t enter panel-related issues or share any personal panel membership information in the blog comment section. Any issues will be addressed faster if you contact our support center directly. Thank you so much!