If you're looking to slash your grocery bill, timing your supermarket trip could be the key to massive savings. According to retail insiders, shopping at specific times of day can unlock discounts of up to 90% on fresh food items.
The Insider's Guide to Supermarket Markdowns
Having worked at Tesco for four years, I was regularly responsible for reducing prices on fresh items to mere pennies as closing time approached. This practice isn't unique to Tesco - other major supermarkets including ASDA, Sainsbury's, Aldi, and Morrisons also implement similar price reduction strategies throughout the day.
Most supermarkets designate a specific clearance section in their fresh food aisles, typically marked with clear signage or filled with products bearing distinctive yellow reduction stickers. However, the exact location and presentation can vary between different store locations.
During my time at Tesco, I regularly saw substantial price cuts on items including ready meals, milk, bread, cream doughnuts, salads, sushi, and sandwiches as the day progressed, with the deepest discounts appearing in the evening hours.
When Do Tesco's Biggest Discounts Happen?
The timing of price reductions varies between stores and depends on factors like customer footfall and staff availability. Having worked in both seasonal shops and hectic central London locations, I've seen how busy periods can sometimes delay the markdown process.
If you're uncertain about your local store's discount schedule, the most reliable approach is to ask a staff member directly for their specific reduction times.
Tesco typically conducts three rounds of markdowns throughout the day. The process usually begins around 9am or 10am with initial reductions of approximately 10%. As the day continues, products receive further discounts of 30%, 50%, and sometimes even 90%.
The Golden Hour for Bargain Hunters
One of the most productive times for bargain shopping is between 6pm and 8pm, when final reductions are applied. The later you shop, the greater your chances of securing substantial discounts.
However, timing is crucial - leaving your shopping too late, particularly in busy stores, risks missing out as the best bargains are quickly snapped up by savvy shoppers.
Earlier this year, Tesco introduced a new wave of markdowns at 7pm specifically to combat food waste. A Tesco spokesperson confirmed to Express.co.uk that while the 7pm discount timing is common, it can vary between stores, noting that "markdowns on fresh products continue to be popular and help to prevent good food from going to waste."
Most discounted items are fresh goods approaching their use-by dates, but this doesn't necessarily mean they need immediate consumption. Many products, particularly bread and milk, are ideal for freezing, extending their usability while maximising your savings.
