A man who worked in a supermarket has lifted the lid on the staff secrets that can save customers money while shopping.
Alasdair Baker, 50, who worked at his local Morrisons store, accrued helpful tips to cut back on the weekly shop over the years. He previously shared how he lived on yellow sticker bargains after his £300,000 debt forced him into bankruptcy. And now the dad-of-two is now sharing his top tips, from the best times to shop to spotting the sneaky tricks used by supermarkets.
"Shopping in a supermarket is a very different world to working in one, and I learned a great deal about the supermarket's inner workings during my time as an employee," said Alasdair, from Aldershot, Hampshire. Here are four pieces of advice that expose the secrets of the supermarkets.
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While many of us are excited when we spot a yellow sticker - signalling a price cut - Alasdair says there is actually a way to time your trip to increase your chances of scoring a bargain. He said: "Most supermarkets will discount a product twice - once in the morning, at between 10% and 25% off, and then again in the evening.
"They will then be priced at up to 90% off, depending on the supermarket's reduction policy. The supermarket I worked at, Morrisons, would make the first reduction on products dated the next day, the night before, around 9 or 10pm. They would either be put out that night for customers to buy at a reduced price, depending on how much was left on the shelf from that's days reductions, or they would go out the next morning.
"The next evening, from 5pm, the store would then start the 'finals', which is up to 90% off a product to clear what's leftover. Products such as ready meals, fresh meats, dairy, dips and products such as coleslaw, pies and pastries will generally be 90% off. The produce department typically reduces down to 90% off as this is usually the department with the highest number of reductions and the greatest chance of having items not sell, so they want to get it sold.
"Bread and cakes usually are 80% off, apart from 'free from' or speciality bread, which usually goes to 90% off to clear, as they tend to be less popular and need to reduce as far as possible, or they will likely have to be thrown away. The butchery, delicatessen and instore bakery departments typically reduce to 80% off at around 7pm but can be a little earlier depending on staffing numbers and the number of goods that need to be reduced."
Supermarket sweepAlasdair also recommends scanning the aisles top-to-bottom to ensure you aren't missing any good deals. He explained: "Supermarkets are a bit crafty, and you will generally find that products on the shelf, at eye level, are generally the higher-margin products that the supermarkets want you to buy.
"You will find that if you look down a few shelves, you will find similar products, only cheaper. They may not be the big brands, but generally of a decent enough quality, and every penny not spent is a penny saved."
Online deliveriesIf you are prone to ordering your groceries to your home, Alasdair shared his advice for picking the best time slot. He said: "If you place a supermarket delivery order, avoid the early morning delivery time slots.
"This is because the stores will have pickers come in to grab your order off the shelves very early in the morning. The issue is that they are generally trying to pick your order before that night's delivery has been put on the shelves, meaning that many of the shorter life products may not be on the shelf yet, so the picker may not be able to find what you ordered.
"Therefore, you are far more likely to get a substituted item or an out of stock on your order. Book a later delivery slot if you can, as generally, the products are then available on the shelf, and you shouldn't get as many substitutions or out of stock issues."
Ignore the dealsAlasdair - who runs money-saving blog The Penny Pincher - recommends resisting the deals unless you had already planned to buy the item in question. He explained: "A saving is only a saving if you actually needed it in the first place, otherwise it's an expense!
"The BOGOF, 50% off, 2 For £X type deals are only great if you actually need those products. The manufacturers pay the supermarket an eye-watering amount of money to have their products on the end of an aisle or a promotion shelf because the manufacturer wants to boost their sales.
"Try not to be drawn into these types of deals, as you didn't intend to buy that item more often than not, so you have now spent money you didn't need to spend." Alasdair also recommends buying frozen goods wherever possible to cut costs, and to not be lured in by items like grated cheese - which are often pricier than blocks.
