A former Morrisons employee has shared insider tips on how to save money on groceries amid rising food costs. The advice covers the best times to find yellow sticker bargains and the benefits of choosing supermarket own-brand products.
Best Times to Shop for Reduced Items
According to the former employee, shopping early in the morning or later in the evening offers the best opportunities for discounts. In the morning, customers can find products reduced the night before that are due to expire that day, often with discounts of around 25%. Items that are damaged but still safe to sell may also appear on the yellow sticker shelf.
Lunchtime is considered the worst time to hunt for bargains, as the best reduced items are usually already snapped up by early shoppers. The evening, however, brings the biggest discounts, with items often reduced by 75% or more as stores clear stock before closing. The former employee advises shopping one to two hours before closing time, as staff will have had time to reduce items but may remove unsold products shortly before closing.
Check the Yellow Sticker Section Regularly
The former employee recommends checking the yellow sticker section regardless of what is on the shopping list. Heavily reduced items like cooked meats, chicken thighs, and southern-fried chicken bites can inspire dinner ideas. Products suitable for freezing can be bought and stored for later use, making it an easy way to save money.
Seasonal Events Bring Big Discounts
During Christmas and New Year, supermarkets often reduce items by 50% or more to clear stock before closures. Items like beef, double cream, Christmas cards, turkey, and pigs in blankets are commonly discounted. The former employee suggests making space in the freezer to take advantage of these seasonal bargains.
Consider Own-Brand Products
Yellow stickers are not always available, and when they are, the items may not be needed. Choosing supermarket own-brand products can also help reduce costs. In many cases, they taste as good as more expensive alternatives, and it is worth trying a few to find preferred options.
The former employee emphasizes that markdown schedules vary between stores, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Asking a store manager can provide specific details, but factors like staffing levels, stock, and time of year affect when reductions happen.
