Know when to go for the biggest bargains (Picture: Metro.co.uk/Getty)
Savvy shoppers will already know about the reduced section of their local supermarket.
Tucked away in one of the aisles, there’ll usually be a shelf or two of products bearing yellow ‘reduced’ stickers – often items that are soon to come off sale or are nearing their best before date.
Some reductions can end up being a huge discount, while some items may be suitable for freezing, too – so if you’re looking to save on food shop costs amid the cost of living crisis, it’s useful to browse the section.
But when is the best time to bag a bargain, and is there a set time when yellow sticker products are typically released?
Here’s what the major supermarkets said.
When do supermarkets reduce prices? Yellow sticker times
Yellow sticker times vary across supermarket chains, and are even different across outlets of the same store.
Therefore it is not possible to get exact timings for when you can find yellow stickered items, but these are the most recommended times to check out the following stores:
Aldi: 8am (when the stores open)Asda – 7pm and onwardsLidl – 8am (when the stores open)M&S- 30 minutes before stores closeMorrisons – 6pm and onwardsTesco – 6pm and onwardsSainsbury’s – 6pm and onwards
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Finance blogger Fiona Hawkes – who has written extensively on yellow sticker shopping – told Metro.co.uk that typically the best bargains can be found in the early evening, from around 7pm onwards.
‘That said, I’ve seen 90% off yellow stickers at 8.30 am in Morrisons so it really does depend on your local store’ she added.
‘The best advice I can give is to always check the yellow sticker fridges no matter what time of day you shop as you could end up with a bargain.’
Expanding more on the best times she has personally found for bargain hunting, Fiona has found one of the stores with the most reliable time is Sainsbury’s at 2pm.
Buying reduced items is a great way to save money on a number of items (Picture: Daniel Harvey Gonzalez/In Pictures via Getty Images)
‘Bargains at this time have included fresh mixed vegetables for 10p and posh ready meals down from £7 to 99p.
‘If I go to Sainsbury’s between 2 pm and 3.30 pm on a Sunday there are almost always fantastic discounts to be had and they often do reminders over the tannoy saying which aisles to look in for yellow stickers reductions’
Ultimately, it is best to get to know your local supermarket and keep an eye on when you see yellow sticker items start to appear on shelves.
What are the benefits of yellow sticker shopping?
The obvious benefit of looking out for yellow sticker times is an opportunity to save money on a number of different items.
This Morning’s consumer editor Alice Beer has spoken about how there has always been a prejudice or sense of shame to yellow sticker buying, which is a mindset people should get out of, particularly as food prices continue to rise.
The time yellow sticker items hit the selves vary from store to store (Picture: Jam Press/@thepennypincheruk)
‘There is nothing wrong with the food that has a reduced price on it – why would you pay full price when you can get something cheaper?’ she said in a section on air back in March.
‘You are winning at shopping – you are not shortchanging your family, you’re not buying dodgy food, you are not doing anything to be ashamed of’ she added.
Fiona agreed, mentioning that buying yellow sticker items also helps reduce food waste.
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As well as saving money, you’re also helping the environment as many products are thrown away if they are out of date and haven’t sold’ she said.
‘Buying yellow stickers can also help you get creative in the kitchen as you might pick up reduced items that you wouldn’t usually buy. Shopping for reduced items can also make treats such as a steak dinner more affordable if you’re on a tight budget’
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