A clever shopping trick has been revealed that could help Sainsbury's customers land enormous discounts on chocolate, with savings of up to 90% off the original price. The secret lies in using the supermarket's handheld 'Shop and Scan' devices to check for unadvertised price reductions.
The Secret Scanner Reveals Hidden Bargains
The tip was shared online in early January 2026 by the social media user @costoflivingcrisistips. He posted a video from the chocolate aisle, demonstrating how items scanned at a self-service device showed a much lower price than the shelf label indicated.
He first scanned a 295g Aero peppermint bar. The shelf ticket showed a reduction from £5 to £2.50, but the scanner revealed the true price was just 50p. This allowed him to buy a box of 12 large bars for a fraction of the cost, noting it would "sort Easter" for gift hampers.
Festive Flavours for a Fraction of the Price
The savvy shopper didn't stop there. He then scanned packs of KitKat Gingerbread, originally priced at £2.20. The scanner showed they were actually 22p per pack. He purchased a full box, stating the festive flavour was too good to leave behind after Christmas.
In total, his haul of 12 Aero bars and 20 packs of KitKat Gingerbread cost just £10.40, compared to the expected £60 – a staggering saving. He admitted he doesn't eat much chocolate himself and planned to give most of it away.
How the Supermarket Scanning Hack Works
The key to the hack is using Sainsbury's 'Shop and Scan' devices, which allow customers to scan items as they shop and pay at a dedicated terminal. The user's discovery prompted questions about whether the discount would apply at a regular checkout.
A person claiming to be a Sainsbury's worker clarified in the comments. They explained that after Christmas, seasonal stock is reduced so frequently that new price tickets often haven't been printed or put out yet. The lower price is active in the system and will apply no matter how the item goes through the till, scanner or not.
The shopper also checked the expiry dates, finding the Aero bars were good until July 2026 and the KitKats until April 2026, making the bulk buy practical.
While offers vary by store and time, the advice for bargain hunters is clear: it's worth scanning reduced seasonal items in Sainsbury's over the coming days, as you might uncover a hidden discount far greater than the label suggests.
