From loyalty schemes to the exact time to bag yellow sticker bargains, supermarket secrets which could save you hundreds
CASH-strapped families can slash the cost of supermarket runs by hundreds of pounds a year by joining loyalty schemes and shopping after 6pm when clearance items are reduced by up to 75 per cent.
In the past year, everyday groceries including fish, fruit, pasta and bread have leapt in price and many families are struggling to get by.
But today the Sun on Sunday can reveal the biggest deals, lowest prices and best loyalty schemes available from your favourite store chains, with loaves of bread for just 27p and free treats for loyal customers.
Sainsbury's
BEST TIME FOR REDUCTIONS: 6pm.
BEST REDUCTIONS: Up to 65 per cent off. The Sun on Sunday found a Welsh Hill lamb rack reduced from £12 to £8.99 – a 25 per cent price cut.
REWARDS: Shoppers can sign up for a Nectar card which unlocks exclusive deals and earns points that can be transformed into vouchers – £1 of spending is worth one point.
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BEST DEALS: Up to 50 per cent off with a Nectar card. Ariel All-in-1 pods laundry liquid capsules (39 washes) are £5 with a loyalty card – normally £10.50.
BOOZE DEALS: Buy any six or more bottles of wine and save 25 per cent.
ONLY AT SAINSBURY’S: Convert points into experiences such as money off BA flights and cinema tickets.
OWN BRAND ITEMS:
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- Stamford Street beans, 400g: 27p
- Tuna chunks in brine, 145g: 72p
- Thin & crispy pepperoni pizza, 305g: 97p
- Medium sliced white bread, 800g: 75p
- Stamford Street spag bol, 400g: £2.20
- Stamford Street 4 Equals 8 toilet tissue double rolls: £1.80
- Red Label tea bags, 40: 75p
- Semi-skimmed milk, four pints: £1.45
- Golden Delicious apples, six: £1.70
- British free range eggs, large: £1.85
- British Maris Piper potatoes, 2kg: £1.35
- Gold Roast instant coffee, 200g: £2.49
- Self-raising flour, 1.5kg: 79p
CHEAPEST BOOZE:
- White wine: Time Keeper: £4.50
- Red: Time Keeper: £4.50
- Four-pack: Depot No.90 bitter, 4x440ml: £1.49
A Sainsbury’s spokesman said: “We continue to invest in keeping prices low – from the everyday items in our Aldi Price Match, and our low-price own- brand Stamford Street range, to the hundreds of branded products which are held at competitive prices in our Price Lock campaign.”
Tesco
BEST TIME FOR REDUCTIONS: 6pm.
BEST REDUCTIONS: Up to 50 per cent off certain items. The Sun on Sunday found a boneless lamb leg reduced by 35 per cent, slashed from £11.11 to £7.22.
REWARDS: Tesco’s famous Clubcard is free to sign up for. You can access exclusive deals and earn points for vouchers for each pound you spend.
BEST DEALS: Clubcard users can get up to 50 per cent off. The Sun on Sunday found Colgate Max White Crystals toothpaste (125ml) reduced from £5 to £2.40.
BOOZE DEALS: Buy six bottles of wine to save 25 per cent with a Clubcard.
ONLY AT TESCO: Spend Tesco vouchers on experiences or days out to make your money go further. £12 of vouchers means you can save £24 on Disney+.
OWN BRAND ITEMS:
- Stockwell & Co beans, 420g: 28p
- Stockwell & Co tuna chunks in brine, 145g: 55p
- Thin pepperoni pizza, 314g: £1
- White bread, 800g: 75p
- Hearty Food Co. spag bol, 400g: 85p
- Luxury Soft toilet tissue, 4 rolls: £1.69
- Stockwell & Co tea bags, 80: 87p
- Semi-skimmed milk, four pints: £1.45
- Golden Delicious apples, six: £1.70
- Free-range large eggs, 6pk: £1.85
- White potatoes, 2kg: £1.03
- Gold instant coffee, 200g: £3
- Self-raising flour, 1.5kg: 80p
CHEAPEST BOOZE:
- White wine: Italiano Lambrusco Bianco: £3
- Red: Italiano Lambrusco Rosso: £3
- Four-pack: Foster’s, 4x440ml: £4
A Tesco spokesman said: “We have more than 8,000 weekly deals on Clubcard prices, offering customers potential savings of up to £390 a year, all while collecting Clubcard points that can be put towards groceries and fuel, or doubled in value with our Reward Partners.”
Marks & Spencer
BEST TIME FOR REDUCTIONS: 30 minutes before store closes.
BEST REDUCTIONS: Up to 90 per cent off reduced products. We found Pork & caramelised onion and chorizo sausage rolls slashed by 30 per cent from £3.65 to £2.56.
REWARDS: M&S customers can sign up to a Sparks card where they unlock offers and treats.
BEST DEALS: Sparks card customers can get wine-tasting in certain stores and free treats including Percy Pigs or chocolate-chip cookies.
BOOZE DEALS: Up to 34 per cent off selected wines. A case of six Lock Keeper’s Reserve Chardonnay will cost £40 instead of £60.
ONLY AT M&S: Each week one lucky Sparks customer gets their shopping free. Black Friday deals include 40 per cent off selected homeware. A Three Shade velvet ceiling light is £66 instead of £110.
OWN BRAND ITEMS:
- Baked beans, 400g: 50p Tuna chunks, 120g: 90p
- Thin-crust pepperoni pizza: £5.75
- Medium white bread: 75p
- Spag bol, 400g: £3.50
- Toilet rolls, 4pk: £1.90
- Tea bags, 100: £3.25
- Semi-skimmed milk, four pints: £1.45
- Golden Delicious apples, 6pk: £2
- Free-range eggs, six: £3
- White potatoes, 2kg: £1.05
- Instant coffee, 100g: £1.30
- Self-raising flour, 1.5kg: 85p
CHEAPEST BOOZE: White wine: Le Froglet Savignon Blanc: £6.50 Red: Domaine Mandeville Pinot Noir: £7 Four pack: British lager, 440ml, £5.75.
M&S has been contacted for comment.
Asda
BEST TIME FOR REDUCTIONS: 7pm.
BEST REDUCTIONS: Up to 62 per cent off. The Sun on Sunday found Yoplait yoghurt pots cut from £1.75 to 67p.
REWARDS: Customers can download the Asda rewards app which gives cashback on items and allows them to save for Christmas, using their Christmas cashpot where customers can store their cashback.
BEST DEALS: Get ten per cent cashback on selected items in store with Asda Rewards. Users also get £20 in their pot when purchasing a £199 Nintendo Switch.
BEST BOOZE: Buy six bottles of wine and get 25 per cent off.
ONLY AT ASDA: Asda has the cheapest average large trolley cost at £328.42, according to Which? Its Black Friday deals include a Scoville 11-litre digital air-fryer with rotisserie feature for £59 instead of £99.
OWN BRAND ITEMS:
- Baked beans, 410g: 28p
- Tuna chunks in brine, 145g: 59p
- Pepperoni pizza, 314g: £1
- White bread, 800g: 45p
- Spag bol, 400g: 85p
- Shades toilet tissue, 4 rolls: £2.50
- Tea bags, 40: 40p
- Semi-skimmed milk, four pints: £1.45
- Golden Delicious apples, 6pk: £1.39
- Free-range eggs, six large: £1.85
- Extra Special British potatoes, 2kg: £2
- Rich Roast instant coffee: £2.25
- Self-raising flour, 1.5kg: 80p
CHEAPEST BOOZE:
- White wine: B By Black Tower White: £3.25
- Red: Smooth & Fruity: £3.45
- Four pack: Coors lager: £4.50
Asda has been contacted for comment.
Co-op
BEST TIME FOR REDUCTIONS: 8pm.
BEST REDUCTIONS: Up to 75 per cent off. The Sun on Sunday found cooked ham was reduced from £3 to £1.68 – that’s 44 per cent off.
REWARDS: A Co-op loyalty card costs £1 but members can access in-store deals. For every £1 spent you’ll earn 2p for yourself and 2p for local causes.
BEST DEALS: Big discounts on brands, such as 35 per cent off a 400g tub of Lurpak – cut from £4.20 to £2.75.
DEALS ON BOOZE: Slashed prices on certain bottles of wine. We found about ten per cent off Trapiche Pure Malbec (75cl), cut from £9.25 to £8.25.
ONLY AT CO-OP: Co-op members can get five freezer favourites for £5.
OWN BRAND ITEMS:
- Baked beans, 400g: 49p
- Tuna chunks in brine, 145g: £1.20
- Pepperoni pizza, 310g: £1.20
- Honest Value white bread, 720g: 45p
- Spag bol, 400g: £3.75
- Quilted bathroom tissue, 4pk: £2.90
- Fairtrade tea bags, 80 : £1.25
- Semi-skimmed milk, four pints: £1.65
- Seasonal British apples: £1.65
- British free-range eggs, six large: £1.95
- Maris Piper Potatoes, 1.5kg: £1.25
- Fairtrade instant coffee, 200g: £4.25
- British self-raising white flour, 1.5kg: £1.05
CHEAPEST BOOZE:
- White wine: Sauvignon Blanc: £3.60
- Red: Eisberg Non-Alcoholic Cabernet Sauvignon: £4
- Four pack: Bud Light, 4x300ml: £4.55
A Co-op spokesman said: “We always aim to provide value for money and becoming a Co-op member gives you access to a wide range of benefits, including exclusive promotions and money back on own-brand purchases.”
Aldi
BEST TIME FOR REDUCTIONS: 8pm.
BEST REDUCTIONS: Some clearance items are slashed by 75 per cent. We found celery sticks had been slashed by 35 per cent, from 85p to just 55p.
REWARDS: Aldi special buys sit in the middle aisle filled with bargains, including an Ambiano air-fryer for £29.99.
BEST DEAL: Every two weeks, six fruit and veg on sale for super-low prices.
BEST BOOZE: Six bottles of wine for £25, including buck’s fizz, prosecco.
ONLY AT ALDI: A Which? Recommended Provider for its all-round performance for high-quality food and low prices. .
OWN BRAND ITEMS:
- Baked beans, 420g: 28p
- Tuna chunks in brine, 145g: 55p
- Thin & crispy pepperoni pizza, 314g: 97p
- Medium sliced white bread, 800g: 45p
- Cucina spag bol, 400g: £2.49
- Saxon luxury toilet tissue, 4pk: £1.69
- Gold Label tea bags, 80: £1.39
- Semi-skimmed milk, four pints: £1.45
- Royal Gala apples, six: £1.29
- Free-range eggs, six large: £1.69
- Nature’s Pick potatoes, 2kg: 99p
- Alcafe Gold Roast coffee, 200g: £2.49
- The Pantry self-raising flour, 1.5kg: 75p
CHEAPEST BOOZE:
- White wine: Baron St Jean: £3.45
- Red: Pierre Jaurant Merlot Indication Geographique Protegee: £3.25
- Four-pack: Hendry’s Scottish lager, 4x440ml, £3.29
An Aldi spokesman said: “We keep prices low by having a uniquely efficient business. Reductions can sometimes be found on fresh produce, bakery and chilled products. Price reductions can also be found on items that have imperfect outer packaging.”
Lidl
BEST TIME FOR REDUCTIONS: 8am.
BEST REDUCED PRICES: Up to 70 per cent off. The Sun on Sunday found Tuscan vegetable bites reduced from 99p down to 69p – a 30 per cent drop.
REWARDS: Shoppers can use the Lidl app to access a Plus card. Users unlock store coupons and earn treats.
BEST DEALS: Spend £50 and get an in-store treat such as a free bakery item.
BEST PRICES: Lidl was named the cheapest supermarket in 2023 by consumer champion Which?
BEST BOOZE: Pick up a bottle of wine for as little as £2.99 (Baywood white).
ONLY AT LIDL: Deals with partners. Shoppers can get a half-price MOT at Halfords. Their Black Friday deals include a Vax Airlift 2 Pet Plus vacuum for £99 instead of £220.
OWN BRAND ITEMS:
- Newgate baked beans, 425ml: 46p
- Nixe tuna chunks in brine, 160ml: 75p
- Trattoria Alfredo pepperoni pizza: £2.49
- Medium white bread: 45p
- Spag bol: 85p
- Floralys Shea Butter toilet tissue: £1.79
- One-cup tea bags, 160: £1.19
- Semi-skimmed milk, four pints: £1.10
- Golden Delicious apples, 6pk: £1.29
- Free-range eggs, six large: £1.65
- White potatoes, 2.5kg: £1.70
- Bellarom Gold instant coffee: £1.99
- Belbake self-raising flour: 79p
CHEAPEST BOOZE:
- Cheapest white: Baywood: £2.99
- Red: Conde Noble: £3.39
- Four-pack: Carlsberg Carling: £4.49
Lidl has been contacted for comment.
Morrisons
BEST TIME FOR REDUCTIONS: 6pm.
BEST REDUCTIONS: Up to 75 per cent off. The Sun on Sunday found a loaf of bread reduced from £1.05 to just 27p – a 74 per cent reduction.
REWARDS: Shoppers can sign up for a Morrisons More card which unlocks exclusive offers in store. Earn points by purchasing certain items in store. 5,000 points equals a £5 voucher.
BEST DEALS: Buy four tins (including tomatoes and beans) for £2.
BOOZE DEALS: Buy six bottles of wine and save 25 per cent.
ONLY AT MORRISONS: More Card users can bag a Basket Bonus. It could be anything from money off your next shop to free treats.
OWN BRAND ITEMS:
- Savers beans, 410g: 27p
- Fad-free tuna chunks in brine, 145g: £1
- Thin-crust pepperoni pizza, 314g: £1
- Medium white bread, 800g: 75p
- Spag bol, 400g: £2.20
- Toilet tissue, 4pk: £1.99
- Tea bags, 80: £1.29
- Semi-skimmed milk, four pints: £1.45
- Golden Delicious apples, 6pk: £1.70
- Medium free-range eggs, 6pk: £1.50
- The Best white potatoes, 2kg: £2.15
- Full Roast instant coffee, 200g: £3.99
- Self-raising flour, 1.5kg: 79p
CHEAPEST BOOZE:
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- Cheapest white: McGuigan Bin 156 Chardonnay: £6
- Red: McGuigan Bin Shiraz: £6
- Four-pack: Morrisons Continental lager 3.5%, 4 x 440ml: £3
Morrisons has been contacted for comment.