Shoppers across the UK could secure huge savings on their festive fare this year by timing their Christmas Eve supermarket trips to perfection. With stores closing early and many not reopening until after Boxing Day, a wave of last-minute discounts is expected, offering the chance to grab luxury items for less.
The Expert's Guide to Christmas Eve Discounts
According to savings specialist Zoe Morris from VoucherCodes.co.uk, there are specific "golden hours" when bargain hunters are most likely to find yellow sticker items. Zoe Morris advises that shopping at the right moment can "save a fortune" and allow people to "enjoy luxury products for less". The key is knowing when different supermarket chains start their final reduction rounds before the Christmas closure.
Supermarket Reduction Timetables Revealed
The discounting process will begin surprisingly early on December 24th. Marks and Spencer could start applying yellow stickers as early as 3pm, making it one of the first major retailers to begin clearing stock.
Shortly after, bargain hunters at Morrisons might see prices drop from around 4pm, with budget chain Lidl also potentially starting its reductions at a similar time. It's worth noting that Aldi uses a different system, with red stickers instead of yellow, and is predicted to hold back until approximately 5pm before discounting.
For those shopping later, the bigger supermarkets will join the fray. Asda and Sainsbury's are expected to have staff start marking down items from around 6pm. Tesco could be one of the last, with reductions still happening as late as 7pm on Christmas Eve.
Strategies for Savvy Shoppers
The early closure of all major supermarkets, to allow staff time with their families, combined with the extended break until December 27th, creates a perfect storm for discounts. With perishable goods at risk of going out of date, retailers are keen to clear shelves.
Zoe Morris suggests that the most astute shoppers might consider visiting twice. Many supermarkets do an initial round of reductions first thing in the morning, often between 7am and 8am. This can be an ideal time to find bargains with fewer crowds, before the final, more widespread discounts are applied in the afternoon and evening.
By planning your trip around these key times, you could significantly cut the cost of your Christmas celebrations while still enjoying high-quality food and drink.
