A former Morrisons employee who worked at the supermarket for three years has shared insider tips on the best times to find yellow sticker bargains, helping shoppers save money on their food shop amid rising costs.
Sophie Buchan, a former Morrisons worker, explained that the best times to find reduced items are early in the morning or close to closing time. In the morning, shoppers will often find items that were reduced overnight because they are due to expire that day. For example, if a product was due to expire on June 25, staff would take it off the shelf on June 24 and mark it down for customers the next morning. However, these products may only see 25% off. Damaged but safe items also hit the yellow sticker shelf, even if they don't expire the next day.
Lunchtime and Evening Discounts
Lunchtime is the worst time to find deals, as morning bargains have been snapped up and remaining items may not be reduced enough. Buchan advises always checking the yellow sticker section regardless of your shopping list, as items like cooked meats, southern-fried chicken bites, and chicken thighs are often reduced. Look for packaging that says the product is suitable for freezing to make the most of these deals.
In the evening, discounts can reach 75% off or more, with products reduced to mere pennies. However, shoppers should avoid leaving their shopping until five minutes before closing, as staff may have already removed reduced items to process as waste. A safe bet is to shop one or two hours before closing, when staff have usually had time to reduce stock.
Seasonal and Holiday Reductions
During busy periods like Christmas and New Year, supermarkets often reduce items by 50% or more to clear stock before closures. Products like beef, double cream, Christmas cards, turkey, and pigs in blankets are commonly discounted. Buchan suggests making space in your freezer for these seasonal bargains.
Buchan also recommends trying supermarket own-brand products, which often taste as good as more expensive options and can help keep costs down. She notes that while yellow stickers can be helpful, bargains aren't always available, and it's important to buy only what you need.
