I work in M&S and there are secret ‘J codes’ that guarantee discounts on fruit and veg – here’s how to spot them
AS the cost of everything continues to spiral, many of us are looking for ways to save at the checkout.
Rather than searching for the yellow labels though, one retail worker has shared a way to guarantee discounts on fruit and veg at one of the UK's poshest supermarkets.
If you are feeling out of pocket at the supermarket, you aren't alone.
According to the , the overall price of food rose by a staggering 26 per cent between December 2022 and December 2023.
Even more alarmingly, 4 per cent of Brits have reported that their house had run out of food or that they couldn’t afford to buy more groceries in the next two weeks.
With some many people struggling to afford the basics, many people have begun sharing their supermarket hacks on social media.
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This includes the Yellow Sticker, Shopping Tips, Tricks and Hauls group on Facebook, where one retailer worker shared how to get guaranteed discounts on fruit and veg.
Having worked as a night assistant at M&S, they revealed that the posh supermarket has a secret code which they use when making reductions.
For those looking to bag a bargain, you’ll need to find the pre-packaged produce as this is where you'll find the biggest savings - according to the insider.
Next, you’ll need to look for ‘J Codes’ - which are a seven digit code that starts with the letter ‘J’.
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The insider stated that these can usually be found on the packet where you’d find a best before date.
Whilst it may look like a random string of numbers to the untrained eye, the M&S worker explained that this code is actually a sell by date.
In a post on Wednesday (Jan 31), they wrote: “J Codes are 7 digit codes that you will find on pre-packed fruit and veg (and some loose)… The digits that follow are just a date."
Savvy shoppers can then use this code to work out when produce will be reduced, as he explained.
He added: "So any J code fruit or veg that you find yellow stickered tomorrow morning will say J310124.”
Continuing, the insider told the group: “When it comes to meat, or dairy, or ready meals or anything like that, we reduce the next day's date (i.e., tonight we will reduce anything with 1st Feb on it) but in fruit and veg, we will be looking for anything 31st Jan.”
Not only can this help you find those highly sort after yellow labels, shoppers could even find items that haven't been reduced and ask for a discount.
Cheerfully, the M&S worker added: “A little peek behind the curtain, but now you will also know if you find something on the shelf that should be reduced but isn't!"
“It's a rough one out there, gotta make those pennies count however we can!”
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If you are still looking for ways to save at the checkout, it’s also worth noting that M&S Food typically reduce their items between 5pm and 7pm each day.
Now, you have no excuse not to bag a bargain!
