Best time to do your Christmas shopping at every supermarket revealed – including Aldi, Tesco and Asda
YOU might be wondering when is the best time to visit your favourite grocer to bag a bargain.
You’ll usually score a decent discount when supermarkets add yellow labels to products nearly at their sell-by date.
And you might be wondering when the best time to visit your favourite grocer is to pick them up.
We spoke to Richard Price, director at online supermarket Britsuperstore, who revealed the prime times to visit nine of the nation’s biggest supermarkets.
He’s also shed light on the quietest hours to visit your local supermarket to shop stress-free.
Richard stressed that the quietest and best times for yellow sticker bargains can vary from branch to branch, so it’s always worth clarifying with staff.
And if you’re looking to bag some last-minute bargains this Christmas you’ll need to be aware of your local chain’s operating hours over Bank Holidays.
Most major retailers will be closing their doors on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Aldi, Iceland, Lidl, M&S and Waitrose will all pull down the shutters on Boxing Day to give their employees some well-earned time off.
Here’s the best time to shop at your favourite supermarket.
Aldi
Richard said the best time to visit for reduced products is before 8am and as the store is gearing up to close.
He added: “Fresh products with reduced prices will be marked by a red sticker, and are typically reduced as they are at the end of their shelf life.
“They will normally be discounted by either 30% or 75%.
“Dried groceries and tinned food may also be discounted if they have imperfections.”
Meanwhile, the quietest time to visit Monday to Saturday is between 8am and 9am or 9pm and 10pm.
On Sundays you’ll want to head down around 11am.
Lidl
Another German discounter, the best time to visit Lidl for reduced bargains is early morning and toward the end of the day.
Richard said: “Products are reduced first thing in the morning and a few hours before the store closes.”
He added: “Some stores may opt to make reductions throughout the day based on the volume of stock and sell-by dates.”
Meanwhile, Richard said the quietest time to visit your local branch from Monday to Friday is at 8am or 8pm to 9pm.
On Saturdays, you’ll want to head down at 8am or 8pm to 9pm.
Morrisons
Any Morrisons fans will want to rush out to their nearest store from 3pm to 5pm and then 8pm to snap up reduced items.
Richard said: “Morrisons stores typically have several waves of price reductions.
“Reductions begin at 3pm, with products at the end of their shelf life reduced by 50%.
“At 5pm, these products are reduced again, retailing at 75% of their original price.
“If you’re looking for a bargain on in-store cooked food, we recommend visiting the store at 8pm, as items will be dramatically reduced.”
Meanwhile, the least busy time to visit is 9pm to 10pm Monday to Friday then 7am to 8am and 9pm to 10pm on Saturdays.
Co-op
Head to your local Co-op in the evening to get the best reductions.
The chains only slashes prices once throughout the day – 6pm to 8pm.
Richard said: “Items on sale on the day of their expiration date will usually be sold at 50% of their original price.
“If you’re not in a rush, we recommend waiting until 8pm, however, as these products may be discounted by a further 25%.”
Meanwhile, the quietest time to visit varies depending on the day of the week.
On Mondays you should head down between 8pm and 9pm while Tuesdays are calmest between 6am and 7am and 3pm to 5pm.
Wednesdays are least packed between 10am and 11am while on Thursdays it is 9pm to 11pm.
On Friday, head down any time between 6am and midday or 8pm and 11pm.
On Saturdays and Sundays you should visit between 10am and 2pm and 3 to 4pm respectively.
Tesco
Richard said Tesco slashes its prices three times a day – 9am to 10am, 4pm to 5pm and the final round at 7pm.
He added: “At around 9am, items are reduced by around 10%.
“Some products are reduced further between 4pm and 5pm, by about 30%.
“But for the best reductions, visit (at) about 8pm.”
To shop with fewer people in the store, head down between 6am to 8am and 8pm to 11pm Monday to Saturday.
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s usually slaps yellow stickers on products around 5pm, ideal if you’re heading in just after work.
But this can vary dramatically branch to branch, Richard said.
He added: “Make sure to visit after lunch, as this is when most stores begin to reduce their products.
“The best time to visit is between 5pm and 7pm, as this is when the biggest discounts will happen.”
Meanwhile, the quietest hours Monday to Friday are 8am to 9am and 10pm to 11pm.
On Saturdays it’s best to go to your local branch from 8am to 9am to avoid the crowds.
Asda (24 hours)
Asda puts yellow stickers on products early in the morning and towards the end of the day at around 7pm.
Richard said: “Reductions at Asda typically begin between 6am and 10am.
“There is a second round of reductions that takes place at about 5pm, and final reductions begin at around 7.30pm.”
You’ll most likely find fewer customers in your local branch from 6am to 8am and 11pm to 12am on Mondays.
Meanwhile, the best time to visit Tuesday to Saturday is 12am to 7am.
M&S
M&S generally reduces prices on its products once in the morning and twice in the afternoon, at 9am and between 2pm and 4pm, Richard said.
He explained: “At most Marks & Spencer stores, there are three waves of reductions.
“The first wave takes place around 9am, where some items may be reduced by 10%.
“The real reductions, however, begin around 2pm. Here, products are normally reduced by 30%.
“The final wave of reductions happens after 4pm, where products are reduced between 70% and 90%.”
Those looking to avoid being packed in like a sardine should go to their nearest branch between 1pm and 2pm Monday to Friday.
Meanwhile, Saturdays are less busy between 8am and 9am and 6pm to 7pm.
Waitrose
Waitrose staff apply yellow stickers to products two hours before closing.
Richard said: “The majority of Waitrose branches begin to reduce their products just after the lunchtime rush.
“For the best shot at reduced items at the best price, however, we recommend visiting stores two hours before closing time, when some stock, and in particular fresh food, is reduced by around 50%.”
The best to shop to avoid the queues is 8am to 9am Monday to Saturday.
How else to save money on shopping at Christmas
Keeping your eyes peeled for reduced items is just one way to save money on your shopping this Christmas.
Richard revealed three more tips for slashing costs this festive period.
Start by buying in bulk, if you can, he said.
That means signing up to warehouse or wholesale clubs like Costco or Food Warehouse.
Remember though you have to pay an annual membership fee to shop in Costco, with prices starting from £15.
Next, swap out branded goods for supermarket’s or retailer’s own-brand products, Richard said.
Consumer champion Martin Lewis has previously said doing this, also known as “downshifting”, can save you about 30% on your regular shop.
So if you are looking at spending £300 this Christmas, you could save yourself £90 just by making a few quick switches.
Just because you’re paying less, doesn’t mean you’re getting lesser quality produce either.
Richard said to shop beyond eye level too.
Marketers tend to put more expensive items straight in front of you where you are more likely to spot them.
Instead, look at the bottom and tops of shelves, where products are likely to cost you less.