A deals website has shared the secret insights from their millions of customers to gather a hit list of the best times to go to UK supermarkets for the best discounts. Hotukdeals has tens of millions of active users who share their best money-saving hacks and live discounts as they see them.
Consumer deals expert Dan Evans said: “‘This is what the hotukdeals community is about, it shares practical, community-sourced tips and tricks on when, and where, to find in-store discounts and also highlights useful apps, for finding free or discounted surplus food.
“It also promotes food waste reduction while helping people save money, making it both financially and ethically valuable for all.”
Best times to find discounted food at supermarkets
Tesco
Around 6–7pm – final reductions after 8pm Discounts get deeper throughout the day; yellow stickers added mid-to-late afternoon.
Sainsbury’s
First reductions from 1pm; biggest discounts after 7–8pm. Final markdowns often up to 75% off before closing.
Morrisons
Reductions start early afternoon (12–2pm); biggest cuts around 6–7pm Clearance shelves tend to appear near bakery and fresh produce.
Asda
Initial markdowns 9–11am; major discounts from 6–7pm, sometimes laterYellow stickers commonly appear in meat/deli/chilled sections.
Aldi
Reductions throughout the day, no set time; best chances early morning or just before closing “Red sticker” deals are more limited than larger chains.
Lidl
Final reductions usually first thing in the morning (especially Sundays)
Waitrose
Reductions start after 3pm, best value found around 6–7pm Waitrose tends to mark items down more conservatively, but final reductions can be steep.
Co-op
Late reductions often from 5–6pm Discounted items vary by store size and manager discretion.
Hotukdeals has also listed a number of the apps that share information with users who may want to grab discounted or surplus food – saving money and reducing waste:
Too Good To Go
Best for: Cheap meals and surplus food bags from cafes, restaurants, and supermarkets.
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Get “Magic Bags” of unsold food from Greggs, Costa, Starbucks, Morrisons, and more.
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Collection is typically near closing time.
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Prices usually range from £2 to £5 for food worth up to £15.
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Available on iOS and Android.
Website: toogoodtogo.com
Olio
Best for: Free food and groceries shared locally.
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Peer-to-peer app where individuals and local retailers give away food for free.
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Partners with Tesco, Iceland, Pret, and others.
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Includes non-food items like toiletries or cleaning supplies.
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Items are often available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Website: olioex.com
Shopmium
Best for: Cashback on branded groceries.
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Offers up to 100% cashback on selected items.
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Purchase in-store, upload a receipt, and receive money back to your bank or PayPal.
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Covers snacks, drinks, cleaning products, and more.
Website: shopmium.com/uk
GreenJinn
Best for: Cashback on healthier, eco-conscious products.
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Focuses on organic, vegan, and sustainable brands.
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Weekly offers at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, and others.
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Upload receipts for cashback directly to your account.
Website: greenjinn.com
CheckoutSmart
Best for: Cashback across multiple supermarkets.
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Covers Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrisons, and more.
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Take a photo of your receipt to claim cashback.
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Features regular “free after cashback” deals.
Website: checkoutsmart.com
