Families trying to scale back their spending during the cost of living crisis are finding that rocketing food prices are taking an ever-growing bite from their household budgets.
As the bill for a weekly grocery shop has shot up rapidly over the last year, purse strings continue to be stretched, with latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showing food prices are at their highest level in 45 years, rising by 19.1% in the year to March.
Canny shoppers looking to save some cash have long been aware of so-called yellow sticker bargains - the surplus stock that retailers mark down as items get closer to their best before or sell-by date, or the items the shop wants to get rid of to make way for new stock coming in.
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Some have even taken to social media to share their yellow sticker hauls - with many an argument breaking out on the morality of clearing shelves of bargains and not leaving anything for other shoppers to take.
Deals experts will tell you to keep an eye out for yellow stickers - but finding them in stores can be easier said than done. Tom Church, co-founder of LatestDeals.co.uk, who has built his community around bagging the best deals and saving the most money, claims that he saved £3,400 over the course of a year by living almost exclusively off yellow stickers, although he admits it's easier if you live alone and don't have to take into account others' likes and dislikes.
However, Tom advises against hassling members of staff to find about reductions. “Ask store assistants politely what time yellow stickers start to show, but remember to treat them with respect," he said. “Don't hover next to them as they apply the discounts, wait until they're finished. Staff get put under a lot of stress from disrespectful shoppers shoving them aside and sweeping everything into their baskets."
Tom has revealed what he believes are the best times to get reduced-to-clear food from each supermarket. Although your local supermarket might have slightly different times for yellow stickers, this should give you a rough guide:
Aldi
Tom said: "Aldi clearance stickers are red and applied in the morning from 8am with 50% off. This may increase to 75% as food approaches its use-by date."
Asda
Tom said: "Asda reductions start in the mornings but there may be second rounds of discounts from 7pm."
Co-Op
Tom said: "Yellow stickers are found throughout the day at Co-op and it varies by store. Final reductions are 75% off."
Iceland
Tom said: "On fresh foods, yellow stickers can be found from the mornings at Iceland. Discounts vary."
Lidl
Tom said: "Look for orange clearance stickers usually giving 30% off from the mornings at Lidl. Sometimes there are green 'waste not!' stickers labelled at 20p or 70p."
Marks & Spencer
Tom said: "Yellow stickers applied in the mornings. As M&S has a higher price point, net savings can be bigger than other supermarkets."
Morrisons
Tom said: "The best reductions are in the evening. However, you're better off getting a £3.49 Morrisons Magic Box from Too Good To Go, which will contain about £10 worth of food."
Sainsbury's
Tom said: "Sainsbury's discounts begin with 25% at 1pm, up to 50% at 5pm and then again by 75% at 8pm."
Tesco
Tom said: "Tesco yellow stickers start in the afternoons, particularly on fresh meat, fish, fruit, veg, and bakery items."
Waitrose
Tom said: "Varies from store-to-store at Waitrose, usually in the afternoon and reductions increase towards closing time."
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