MARTIN Lewis’ MoneySavingExpert has revealed secrets from supermarket workers that could save you money.
Insiders have spilled the beans on how to save money at big stores like Tesco, Aldi and Lidl.
Martin Lewis’ MoneySavingExpert reveals insider tips for saving money on your shopping
Their tips will come in handy as food prices soar – households have been warned they could be forking out another £500 a year for their shopping.
We round up the best tips we spotted in the consumer website’s latest newsletter – from buying own brands to getting the best deals.
Buy value items over brands
Workers told MoneySavingExpert that there is little difference between value ranges and big brand products.
One reader, who used to work at a biscuit manufacturer, claimed the recipes for big brand and supermarket range biscuits like custard creams, ginger nuts and digestives were almost the same.
He said: “The branded and own label recipes were nearly identical, the main difference was usually a bit of salt”.
Another worker who used to work in a cheese factory, revealed why you should only ever buy value cheese at supermarkets.
She claimed one big block of cheese goes through a cutting machine and is wrapped up in different supermarket packaging.
“M&S, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Asda and… Tesco ‘value’ cheese blocks. All the same cheese, wildly different prices.
“I have never bought anything but value cheese since.”
It’s not the only cheesy trick you try next time you’re doing your supermarket shopping.
Shopping expert Holly Smith previously told SE that you can save 50% off cheese if you buy it from the deli counter.
She said the same brands can be bought for “a fraction of the cost” and you can get perfectly sized portions to avoid waste.
Buy the top or bottom shelves
One ex-Tesco worker said the cheapest items would be placed on the bottom or top shelves.
They said: “Supermarkets rely on you being in a hurry and auto picking up branded items placed on the middle ‘eye-level’ shelves.”
It’s not just Tesco who use this tactic – you’ll notice this happen in nearly all supermarkets.
A senior industry insider told SE previously that the reason for this layout is because stores often like to keep bargain own-brand products out of shoppers’ sights.
That’s because they make more money selling pricier branded items.
Shop in the evening at Asda
A reader called “Lizzie” who said she used to work at Asda claims the supermarket did three rounds of “yellow sticker discounts” during the day.
She said food which was expired on the day would be reduced once in the morning, once at lunchtime, and again at around 7pm or 8pm.
“Anything with today’s date is always at its lowest price in the evening, a lot of it is freezable too so you can buy and freeze for later”.
However, while this might have happened at Lizzie’s store, each Asda store has its own policy on reducing the price of items.
It’s best to ask your local store member for more information.
What other insider tricks can I use?
SE has spoken to lots of readers with the inside track on how to save money at big stores too.
One Aldi store manager said shoppers should go to stores just before they close to get 75% off red sticker items – which is food nearing its sell by date.
While an ex-Morrisons “yellow sticker man” worker said it’s worth the gamble if you wait until Christmas Eve to get your shopping in.
He spotted turkeys selling for £7, down from £50, and bargain veg too.
While a wine expert said you could get bargain wine at big shops including Asda, Sainsbury’s by shopping for bottles from less well-known areas like Spain and Chile.
Here’s the cheapest supermarket for online shopping orders revealed.
We reveal little-known supermarket discounts from shops including Tesco and Sainsbury’s.