SHOPPERS are hunting for deals to cut the cost of their weekly shop as food prices soar – but there’s one deal you might want to avoid.
A managing director at Aldi has revealed that some offers might not always be what they seem.
A managing director at Aldi has revealed why you should avoid BOGOF deals
Julie Ashfield, managing director of buying at the discount supermarket, has previously shared her top tips on its popular bargain middle aisle.
Now she’s sharing her secrets on how savvy shoppers can save on their next shop – and it includes avoiding buy one get one free offers.
Julie said: “Some shoppers might have noticed that there have never been any ‘buy one get one free’ deals at Aldi.
“If you do see the labels in other shops, weigh up first whether the deal is actually worth it, or if you actually need more than one of the product you’re buying.
“Aldi has no plans to introduce any BOGOF deals, instead committing to simply offering the lowest prices and highest-quality products every single day.”
Julie said being clued up on ways to make your money go further can make a big difference to your pocket.
She shared everything you need to know about saving money at Aldi.
Look out for red stickers
Aldi marks down its perishable products such as bread, meat and produce by 75% on their last day of life.
But lots of these products are suitable for home freezing if you don’t want to eat them right away.
Julie said: “Items such as rice, pasta, cereal and tinned food may also be marked down by 30% if the packaging is imperfect, with both initiatives offering customers even lower prices while cutting back on waste.
“The times that items are reduced vary by store and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis – so be sure to keep an eye out for red stickers next time you’re in Aldi to avoid missing out.”
Bargain hunters often snap up reduced “yellow sticker” food in supermarkets including Aldi, Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury’s.
Generally, supermarkets tend to slap a yellow sticker on items first thing in the morning, after lunch, and just before closing time – and the biggest discounts are usually just before stores shut.
Don’t ignore own-brands
Swapping well-known brands for supermarket own-brand versions can make a big difference to your food bill.
Julie said: “While it can be tempting to grab the brands you recognise, ignoring own brands you might be missing out on products that are a fraction of the price.”
Stay Informed
To get the best bargains, you need to know when the Specialbuy items will be on sale.
Thursday and Sundays are the days that new stock hits Aldi’s middle aisle, for example, so they might be the best days to head to the store.
But promotion days will vary across supermarkets, so it’s best to sign up to newsletters and emails to stay up to date with the best deals.
Julie said: “We also have our fortnightly Super 6 deals on seasonal fruit and veg – as well as meat – which are promoted in our leaflets in-store so you can always know what’s coming ahead of time.”
Lidl’s also has a range of offers on display in the middle aisle – known as “the middle of Lidl”.
It refreshes the items every Thursday and Sunday.
You don’t have to wait to randomly stumble across something you want.
If you’re looking for something specific, you could check the Lidl website to see it’s coming up.
If you’re looking for more Aldi insider secrets, we’ve rounded up the four things you need to know to get a great deal at the supermarket.
You can also check out top tips for saving money when you’re shopping at Lidl and Wilko.