A former Marks and Spencer bakery worker has shared the two best times to visit M&S Foodhalls for yellow sticker bargains, based on insider experience.
Best times to find yellow sticker deals
Katherine McPhillips, who worked in an M&S bakery as a summer job during university, says the best time to shop for reduced items is first thing in the morning, when the store opens. She recommends visiting a local M&S Foodhall at 9am on a day off.
The second best time is between 3pm and 5pm, when evening staff often start their shifts by putting yellow stickers on lunchtime items such as sandwiches or bakery goods.
Why late evening is not ideal
McPhillips notes that visiting just before closing is common, but in her experience, staff are least likely to put out deals then. Evening shifts are often too busy in the final hours before closing to reduce food, as there is cleaning and organising to do.
Yellow stickers were more likely to be done during quieter times when there were fewer shoppers about, usually by overnight staff handing out reductions.
Store variations and tips
Yellow sticker times can vary between M&S stores, so McPhillips suggests politely asking a member of staff when they are not busy. If shoppers spot reductions being done, she advises giving workers plenty of space to get on with their jobs.
She also notes that managers would often tell staff not to put yellow stickers out if a crowd gathered to wait for them, as it would be chaotic, with shoppers blocking aisles or bothering staff.
