A retail expert has pinpointed the precise times of day when UK supermarket shoppers can bag the biggest bargains on reduced-to-clear items. With Christmas Day fast approaching on December 25, knowing when to visit could mean significant savings on your festive food shop.
The Golden Hours for Discount Hunters
Richard Price, director at online grocery retailer Britsuperstore, has shared his insider knowledge on the peak discount periods across the nation's major chains. His advice centres on specific times when stores typically mark down products nearing their sell-by date.
For those shopping at Aldi, the strategy is to arrive either before 8 am or just before closing. Fresh items with a red sticker are usually reduced by 30% or 75%. The quietest times to shop there from Monday to Saturday are between 8am and 9am or 9pm and 10pm.
At Lidl, reductions also happen first thing in the morning and a few hours before closing, though some stores may reduce items throughout the day. The calmest times to visit from Monday to Friday are at 8am or between 8pm and 9pm.
Evening Bargains at Major Chains
Morrisons operates a well-known multi-wave reduction system. The first markdowns start at 3pm, slashing prices by 50%. A second, deeper cut happens at 5pm, taking reductions to 75% off. For the best deals on cooked food from the in-store counters, aim for 8pm when items are dramatically reduced.
Tesco shoppers should note a tiered approach. An initial reduction of around 10% occurs at 9am. Further discounts of about 30% are applied between 4pm and 5pm. However, for the very best bargains, Richard Price recommends visiting at about 8pm.
Over at Sainsbury's, the advice is to visit after lunch when reductions generally begin. The prime window for the largest discounts falls between 5pm and 7pm.
Planning Your Shop for Maximum Savings
The pattern for Asda sees the first round of reductions between 6am and 10am. A second wave follows at about 5pm, with final markdowns commencing around 7.30pm.
For Co-op stores, items are typically halved in price on their expiry date. If you can wait, holding off until 8pm could see those products discounted by a further 25%.
Richard Price explained that these reductions primarily apply to fresh products at the end of their shelf life, often marked with distinctive stickers. He also noted that dried groceries and tinned food might be discounted if they have packaging imperfections.
With this tactical guide, savvy shoppers can now time their supermarket trips to maximise savings, ensuring their Christmas feast is both delicious and budget-friendly.
