What Time Do M&S Reduce Food? Best Times for Yellow Sticker Bargains
Looking for the best time to grab a bargain at your local store? We’ll tell you everything you need to know about what time do M&S reduce food throughout the day and week, helping you save money on your food shop.
Key Takeaways
- M&S Reduction Times Throughout the Day: Learn about the three waves of reductions at M&S and how they typically occur in the morning, afternoon, and evening.
- Weekend and Special Day Reductions: Find out what time do M&S reduce food on Sunday and during holidays like Christmas Eve when timings might differ.
- Tips for Finding the Best Bargains: Get practical advice on how to spot yellow sticker items and build a relationship with staff members to increase your chances of finding great deals.
When Do M&S Reduce Their Food?
If you’re looking to save money on your food shopping, knowing what time do M&S reduce their food is essential. Marks & Spencer typically reduces prices on food items approaching their sell-by date in three waves throughout the day.
Like most supermarkets, M&S follows a pattern when it comes to yellow sticker price cuts. Their reduction times aren’t officially published, but based on shopper experiences and staff member reports, there’s a general timeline you can follow.
The Three Waves of Reductions
M&S typically reduces food in three waves throughout the day:
| Reduction Wave | Typical Timing | Discount Level |
|---|---|---|
| First Wave | 9am–11am | 10–20% off |
| Second Wave | 2pm–3pm | 30–50% off |
| Third Wave | 7pm–8pm (or 1–2 hours before store closes) | Up to 75% off |
The first thing in the morning, around 9-11am, you’ll see the initial yellow sticker items appear with modest discounts, usually 10-20% off. This is when items reaching their shelf life limit that day are identified.
The second round of reductions happens mid-afternoon, typically between 2pm-3pm, when items that haven’t sold receive deeper discount rates of 30-50%.
The final and most significant round of reductions happens in the evening, usually about 1-2 hours before closing time. This is when you can find the biggest bargains, with discounts reaching up to 75% off. The Money Saving Expert community has confirmed these patterns across multiple stores nationwide.
What Time Do M&S Reduce Food on Different Days?
The timing of reductions can vary depending on the day of the week, with weekends and special days having different patterns.
Regular Weekdays
During regular weekdays, M&S follows the standard three-wave reduction pattern. Many shoppers report that weekday evenings often offer the best chance for significant discounts, especially if you visit about an hour before the shop closes.
By late afternoon, we’ve found ourselves finding some of the best bargains in the yellow sticker section. The final reductions often happen just before the store closes. This is when you can find items with significant discounts, sometimes up to 75% off the original price!
These times aren’t set in stone. They can vary depending on the store and the day of the week. On days when the store is less busy, reductions might start earlier. On busier days, you might wait longer for those yellow stickers to appear.
What Time Do M&S Reduce Food on Sunday?
Many people want to know what time do M&S reduce their food on Sunday. Due to shorter opening hours, Sunday reductions often follow a compressed schedule:
| Sunday Reduction | Typical Timing | Discount Level |
|---|---|---|
| First Round | Shortly after opening | 10–20% off |
| Final Round | 3pm–4pm (or 1 hour before closing) | Up to 75% off |
Because stores close earlier on Sundays, the final reductions typically happen around 3pm-4pm, depending on your local store’s closing hours. This makes Sunday afternoon a popular time for bargain hunters.
According to Which? magazine’s supermarket survey, M&S follows a fairly consistent Sunday reduction pattern across most of their UK branches.
What Time Do M&S Reduce Food on Christmas Eve?
Many shoppers wonder what time do M&S reduce food on Christmas Eve as this can be one of the best days for bargains. On Christmas Eve, M&S typically makes dramatic reductions earlier than usual:
- Mid-afternoon (around 2pm-3pm): First significant reductions
- Final hours (4pm-5pm): Deepest discounts, sometimes up to 90% off
Christmas Eve is particularly good for finding reduced turkeys, festive foods, and premium items that M&S wants to sell before the holiday. The BBC’s “Shop Well for Less” programme has highlighted Christmas Eve as one of the best days for food bargains at premium supermarkets.
What Items Get Reduced?
Not all items are reduced equally. Here’s what to look for when hunting for yellow sticker food:
Fresh Products
Fresh items with short shelf life get the most frequent and deepest discounts:
Fresh fruit and vegetables near their best-before dates, fresh bread and bakery items from that day, meat and fish approaching use-by dates, and ready meals and prepared dishes are all commonly reduced.
The UK Food Standards Agency guidelines require retailers to sell fresh food by certain dates, which is why these items are often the first to receive yellow sticker price cuts.
Best Departments for Bargains
Some departments in M&S typically offer better best bargains than others.
We’ve found that the bakery section in the evening, fresh meat counter in the final hours, chilled ready meals before closing time, and fresh produce section for reduced vegetables are all great places to check.
Frozen items rarely get reduced as they have longer shelf life, so focus your efforts on the chilled and fresh sections.
Tips for Finding the Best M&S Yellow Sticker Deals
If you’re serious about finding the best deals at M&S, these tips will help you maximize your chances:
Know Your Store’s Specific Pattern
While the general reduction times are similar across M&S stores, each location might have specific times when they reduce items. Visit your local store at different times to learn their unique pattern.
Some shoppers report that smaller M&S Simply Food outlets might reduce items at different times compared to larger Marks & Spencer stores. Getting to know your specific store’s routine is key.
The NHS Healthy Eating Guide suggests planning shopping around these reduction times can help families access more nutritious foods at lower prices.
Look for the Signs
Keep an eye out for staff members with reduction guns or trolleys of items being marked down. This is a clear sign that reductions are happening.
We’ve noticed that being friendly with staff can sometimes lead to information about when the next round of reductions will happen. Never ask them to reduce items specifically for you though – this puts them in an awkward position.
Best Days of the Week
While any day can offer good yellow sticker opportunities, certain days tend to be better.
We’ve found that Sunday (due to shorter opening hours and the need to clear stock before the new week), Monday (to clear weekend stock that didn’t sell), Wednesday (mid-week restocking often leads to good reductions), and the last day before a store closes for holidays are all excellent options.
According to the Love Food Hate Waste campaign, shopping for reduced items helps reduce food waste – something M&S is committed to as part of their Plan A sustainability programme.
How Do M&S Reductions Compare to Other Supermarkets?
Many shoppers compare M&S reductions with other supermarkets like Tesco. Here’s how they compare:
| Supermarket | First Reduction | Final Reduction | Max Discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| M&S | 9am–11am | 7pm–8pm | Up to 75% |
| Tesco | 10am | 7pm | Up to 90% |
| Sainsbury’s | 1pm | 7pm | Up to 75% |
| Waitrose | 2pm | 8pm | Up to 80% |
M&S is known for quality products, so even with reductions, prices might still be higher than budget supermarkets. However, the quality-to-cost ratio can make M&S yellow sticker items excellent value.
The Office for National Statistics’ consumer price data shows that buying reduced items can save households significant amounts on their weekly shop, particularly at premium retailers like M&S.
What Do Other Shoppers Say?
According to online forums and comments from experienced bargain hunters, here are some insights:
“I always visit my local M&S at 7pm on weekdays. The staff are just finishing their final reductions then, and I’ve saved hundreds on premium food.” – Regular M&S shopper
“Sunday afternoons are my go-to time. What time do they reduce food in M&S on Sundays? In my experience, around 3:30pm is the sweet spot.” – Weekend bargain hunter
“The trick is to be there when they’re actually putting the yellow sticker on. I’ve built a friendly relationship with the staff member who does reductions, and now I know exactly what time do M s reduce food at my local.” – Experienced bargain hunter
The Money Advice Service notes that shopping for reduced items is one of the most effective ways to cut food bills without compromising on quality.
Overall
Knowing what time do M&S reduce food can help you save significant money on high-quality items. The best approach is to learn your local store’s specific reduction patterns by visiting at different times. While evening reductions typically offer the deepest discounts, the exact timing varies by store, day of the week, and even by season.
Remember that reduction times are not set in stone and can change based on stock levels, staffing, and individual store policies. Being flexible, observant, and friendly with staff members can significantly improve your chances of finding the best yellow sticker bargains at M&S.
We believe that being a smart shopper isn’t just about saving money – it’s also about reducing food waste and making quality food more accessible. Yellow sticker shopping at M&S lets us enjoy premium food at more affordable prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best items to look for when hunting for yellow sticker bargains at M&S?
Premium items like steaks, fresh fish, ready meals, and bakery goods often offer the best value when reduced. The M&S meat counter and fresh bread sections typically have good yellow sticker opportunities.
Do M&S reduce prices more on any particular day of the week?
Sundays and the day before holidays typically see more generous reductions as stores need to clear perishable stock before closing. The last day before a bank holiday can be particularly good for bargains.
Can I ask staff to reduce items that are near their use-by date?
While there’s no harm in politely asking, M&S has specific policies about when items should be reduced. Building a positive relationship with staff members is more effective than directly asking for reductions.
Do all M&S stores follow the same reduction pattern?
No, reduction times can vary between stores. Simply Food outlets in train stations or airports might have different reduction times compared to high street or shopping center locations. It’s worth checking your local store’s specific pattern.
Is it worth shopping at M&S just for reduced items?
Many shoppers find that the quality of M&S food at reduced prices offers excellent value. However, it’s unpredictable what will be available, so it’s best not to rely on yellow sticker shopping for specific meal plans.
