A man who has spent a decade working in UK supermarkets has revealed his behind-the-scenes secrets, which he says will help shoppers bag a bargain.
Ed Smith is currently a Partner at Waitrose in Harrogate, but has previously worked for Safeways, Sainsbury’s and Asda. He says he has learnt a number of hacks from 10 years working in retail.
Ed says the biggest discount can happen without ven stepping into the store. He said: "If you love a bargain, one of the quickest ways to find items on promotion is on a store's website.
“Nearly all of them have an ‘Offers’ section - and some even have the option to see which products are currently 50% off. As these are often frozen, store-cupboard or non-food products, they’ve a long shelf life so you can stock up while they’re on offer.”
But Ed also has plenty of tips for when you are shopping in real life. He said: "You can often find the best value products on the lower shelves. Branded items, which are typically more expensive, are placed at eye-level.
“While this makes it easier for customers to find what they need - as they can recognise key brands - if you look across the lower shelves, and you can often find cheaper alternatives.”
Ed is all about the cheaper bargain ranges, adding: “On the topic of cheaper alternatives, value ranges are really worth a go. I know there was some gentle ribbing that the Essential Waitrose range included things like tiramisu and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese but, in all seriousness, you can get great quality without the hefty price tag.
“Take fish fingers for example; a pack of 10, our own brand is more than £1.50 cheaper than the leading brand. Plus they’re made with MSC-certified, line-caught cod.
“And there are products where you genuinely can’t taste the difference either. Our cheddar is every bit as good as the leading brand - but half the price. The same goes for our mayo - I swear by it”
Ed's other big hack is to avoid pre-packed fruit and veg. He said: “While it can be tempting to save a few minutes by opting for pre-prepped fruit and veg, some of the best deals are often on loose items.
“Not only have retailers cut out the processing costs, but these sorts of items are often front of store and easily comparable, creating a bit of friendly competition between supermarkets - and ultimately helping you save more.”
For shoppers looking for discounted food, Ed has one big tip: "One of the questions we get asked most is ‘when do you put the yellow-sticker reductions out?’ Having worked across a few different supermarkets, it can vary from day to day, but don’t be afraid to ask Partners in-store. We’ll always be happy to share any details we know - we’re pleased to see it go to a good home!”
Ed has four more tips to help you cut your shopping budget:
- “Loyalty schemes are a great way of making your spend go ever further. Some let you accumulate points, whilst others offer immediate discounts. myWaitrose was overhauled this year to give people a choice of weekly coupons, so they can choose their favourites. I get a couple a week and can save up to £4-5 per shop.”
- “Lots of us will turn to the cuts of meat and fish that we’re used to, but you can make some great savings by swapping for different options. For example, if you’ve a recipe that needs cod, consider using coley - another white fish that’s similar in flavour and texture. We’re also seeing sales of oxtail and cheek doing well, as they work really well in hearty stews or slow-cooked in casseroles. If you’re not sure, ask at the in-store counters and the team will be happy to help!”
- “This one might seem old fashioned, but making a list - or even better, a meal plan - can help you buy exactly what you need for the week, cutting down both on food waste and any excess spending. That’s not to say you can’t treat yourself if you spot something you like, but that you’ll still get bang for your buck and pick up the items you need.”
- “Frozen foods are usually much cheaper than fresh alternatives. From spinach or pizzas, frozen items can be 50% cheaper, or even more - so it really pays to keep your cool. It also massively increases the shelf-life of products. The average family wasting over £700 a year on food that’s thrown away, so frozen items can really help cut down on this - and save money in the long run too.”
