A former Marks and Spencer bakery worker has revealed the best times to visit the store for yellow sticker discounts, offering savvy shoppers a way to save money on high-quality food. Katherine McPhillips, who worked at M&S during her university days, shared that the key to bagging bargains lies in timing your visit right.
Best Time to Visit for Yellow Stickers
Contrary to popular belief, the end of the day just before closing is actually the worst time to hunt for discounts, according to McPhillips. During her time at M&S, yellow stickers were typically applied by overnight shift workers after the store had closed. This means the prime time to snap up deals is first thing in the morning, as soon as the store opens at around 9am.
Another ideal window is late afternoon, between 3pm and 5pm, when shifts change and incoming staff begin applying reductions. McPhillips recommends aiming for around 4pm, as this is often when lunch items like sandwiches and salads get marked down.
Staff Behaviour and Store Variations
McPhillips noted that managers would instruct staff to stop applying yellow stickers if customers began congregating nearby, as large crowds can obstruct aisles and lead to disrespectful behaviour, such as snatching items from staff members' hands. She advises shoppers to give staff plenty of room and be courteous.
It's also important to remember that every M&S store runs slightly differently, so markdown times can vary from branch to branch. McPhillips suggests visiting during a quieter spell and politely asking a member of staff when yellow sticker deals typically hit the shelves. 'A bit of politeness can go a long way,' she said.
