With Christmas less than two weeks away, households across the UK are facing the daunting task of the festive food shop. According to Fred Harrington, CEO of Coupon Mister, timing is crucial to avoid chaos and secure fully stocked shelves.
Experts recommend Thursday, December 19 and Friday, December 20 as the best days to visit supermarkets. These days are expected to be relatively quiet with full shelves, reducing the need to scramble for popular items like pigs in blankets. For non-perishable or freezable items, Monday, December 16 is ideal for stress-free shopping, allowing you to stock up early and freeze essentials like turkey.
The worst days to shop are Saturday, December 21 and Christmas Eve, which are predicted to be hectic with long queues and depleted stock. Fred advises avoiding the final Saturday before Christmas and the midday rush on Christmas Eve, as these times are particularly chaotic.
Fred also suggests shopping as soon as stores open or taking advantage of extended late-night hours, which many supermarkets offer during the festive period. This strategy helps avoid crowds and may yield discounts on marked-down items.
In other news, Which? magazine has named Aldi the best supermarket for Christmas food shopping for the second consecutive year, scoring 84% ahead of Marks and Spencer (82%), Waitrose (80%), and Lidl (78%). Participants rated quality, taste, and value for money.
Fred's final tips include preparing a clear, written list divided into sections to streamline the shopping experience. He also recommends grabbing extra loaves for Boxing Day sandwiches.
