20 hours ago
Exact times to grab yellow sticker reductions at every major UK supermarket
A long-serving shelf stacker says Brits can bag savings of up to 90 per cent by showing up at the perfect moment
Us Brits love saving some pennies, especially when it comes to our grub. Whether it's using a money off code you get with a recent purchase at the till, or applying a percentage off when online shopping, you can't beat a bargain.
That is why the 'yellow sticker' section of UK supermarkets are so favoured. 'Yellow sticker' reductions refer to discounts applied to items nearing their expiration date, often found on items like fresh meat, fish, and bakery products.
Supermarkets employ yellow stickers to reduce waste and offer customers savings. But when is the best time to head to your local retailer and see what goodies you can snap up for a reduced price?
Well, Marco Farnararo, CEO and Co-Founder at has revealed when coveted yellow stickers appear at Britain's biggest supermarkets.
He explained each store has its own strict schedule for marking down items near their sell-by dates. The biggest reductions happen during specific windows - usually late afternoon or early evening when managers need to clear stock fast.
"Most people spot yellow stickers while shopping, but hardly anyone knows there's a science to when they appear," Farnararo said. "Knowing exactly when to visit each supermarket could save families hundreds of pounds on their grocery bills."
Tesco starts with small markdowns from 8am. The real savings of up to 90 per cent don't happen until around 7pm at larger stores and 4pm at Express branches.
"Tesco uses a step-by-step system throughout trading hours," Farnararo said. "Morning discounts might only be 20-30 per cent off, but evening reductions can reach 90 per cent on fresh items that would otherwise be thrown away."
Sainsbury's yellow sticker routine looks completely different. Their first price cuts appear around 1pm but don't expect much of a discount then. The best deals arrive after 7pm when prices can drop by up to 75 per cent.
Meanwhile, Asda shoppers should aim for 7pm. Farnararo said: "Asda does one big round of reductions in the evening instead of smaller markdowns throughout the day. You can find fresh food suddenly cut by 50-70 per cent if you turn up at the right time."
Morrisons beats most rivals to the punch, with the first yellow stickers appearing around midday. Shoppers get the biggest price cuts between 5pm and 7pm when staff make final reductions.
"The fresh food counters at Morrisons are goldmines for yellow stickers," the insider went on. "The fish, meat, and deli sections can see huge reductions in the evening."
Aldi and Lidl break all the rules compared to traditional supermarkets. These discount chains put out their red-sticker reductions (their version of yellow stickers) first thing in the morning, with Aldi starting at 8am and Lidl even earlier at 7am.
"The discount supermarkets work completely differently," Farnararo pointed out. "Their products already sell quickly because of the low prices, so they reduce items at the start of the day rather than the end."
Waitrose begins markdowns around 2pm. Final yellow stickers appear from 6pm onwards with discounts up to 80 per cent. Co-op stores vary depending on location, but most make their final reductions an hour before closing.
And the best day of the week to load up the car?
"Sunday evenings are absolute prime time for bargain hunters," Farnararo added. "With shorter trading hours and no deliveries the next day, stores are desperate to clear perishable stock."
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