Look, we might have different opinions on politics or debate over a Yorkshire Pudding’s place in a Christmas dinner (obviously they belong there), but if there’s one thing us Brits can agree on, it’s that we love a good bargain.
Even those with bank accounts on the healthier side can’t resist a sale. Loyalty card offers? Sign us up. And don’t even get us started on yellow labels.
Go on, you know you love them, a cheeky reduced item at the supermarket is always a win. But when you go to Tesco purposely hoping to pick one up for dinner, that’s exactly when it seems to be only the worst bits of food left.
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I mean, imagine actually going there at the perfect time to grab the best reduced bits possible – major bargain win.
Well, consumer advisors at Which? previously went round asking some of the biggest supermarkets just what the golden time is to pick up the cheapest shopping. Problem solved.
Aldi
Now, as any yellow label (or red in Aldi’s case) aficionado knows, the whole reduced item game can be pretty hit and miss.
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Sometimes the supermarket simply doesn’t have that much going out of date or damaged products to offer up. And Aldi doesn’t have a set time as the reduction timings varies by store. However, it’s likely to happen near to closing time.
Perishable products, such as bread, meat, fruit and veg are reduced by either 30 percent or 75 percent on their last shelf-life day before the store closes. And ambient groceries, like cereal, pasta and tinned foods are marked down 30 percent if the packaging is deemed imperfect.
Marks and Spencer
Like Aldi, reduction times M&S varies from store to store. But also, it’s likely the workers will be doing the labelling nearer to closing time.
Asda
Which? was told that yellow stickers at Asda tend to get labelled on to items twice a day.
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This is typically once in the morning and then again in the evening.
Lidl
Lidl is pretty similar too. Apparently, employees will often be out making those money-saving reductions first thing in the morning – so you could get a saving on lunch that day.
And then they’ll do it again a couple of hours before closing time. However, the supermarket can keep you on your toes, as workers at some stores may opt to do it throughout the day.
Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose
Not so great news on these popular stores, as the companies told Which? that there aren’t specific times when their in-store employees apply the discounts.
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So, your best bet is probably asking your local store, or just hoping luck’s on your side and heading at key times before closing to find out.
Topics: Aldi, Lidl, Marks and Spencer, Shopping, Tesco, Business, Money, Cost of Living
Jess Battison