A former Tesco employee has shared the best time to snap up yellow-sticker bargains, with some items discounted by up to 90%.
Reduction times vary by store
Having spent four years working at Tesco, the ex-staff member was often responsible for marking down fresh produce to just a few pence at the end of the day. They noted that Tesco is not the only supermarket cutting prices throughout the day, as rivals such as Asda, Sainsbury's, Aldi and Morrisons also discount products, usually because items are close to their best-before date or are being phased out.
Most supermarkets have a clearance section in one of their fresh aisles, clearly signposted and stocked with yellow-sticker products, though this varies between stores. During their time at Tesco, the employee regularly saw ready meals, milk, bread, cream doughnuts, salads, sushi and sandwiches slashed to mere pennies at the end of the day.
When to shop for the biggest discounts
Reduction times vary from store to store, depending on how busy it is and how many staff are on duty. The former employee worked at both a seasonal store that was quiet in winter and a busy central London branch, so they have seen both extremes. While there were target times for starting reductions, these were sometimes pushed back during hectic periods.
If shoppers are unsure when their local store does its markdowns, they are advised to ask a member of staff. Most products reduced were fresh goods such as milk, bread, ready meals and salad bags, though occasionally big cuts of meat, fish and even Tesco Finest items were marked down.
Three rounds of reductions
Most products were discounted because they were going out of date that day, but that does not mean they need to be eaten straight away. Many items, particularly bread and milk, can be frozen for later.
At Tesco, three rounds of reductions would take place, starting around 9am or 10am with initial markdowns of around 10%. Items would then be cut further to 30%, 50%, and sometimes up to 90% off as closing time approached. One of the best times to visit is in the evening between 6pm and 8pm, when the final markdowns are applied.
Shopping later gives a better chance of bigger discounts, but shoppers should not leave it too late at busier stores, as bargains go quickly. Last year, Tesco launched a new round of reductions at 7pm to help cut food waste.
A Tesco spokesperson confirmed that while markdowns typically happen around 7pm, timing can vary between stores, adding: "Markdowns on fresh products continue to be popular and help to prevent good food from going to waste."
