Lidl, Aldi, Tesco and Asda slash price of Christmas food at set time

Retail experts have explained the exact time and day you should be heading to the supermarkets for genuine bargains

Head to the supermarkets at the right time for a much cheaper Christmas dinner

Shoppers could bag a huge bargain this Christmas with the annual dinner, trimmings and luxuries all available ay discounts if you head to the right shops at the right times. Most people are familiar with the yellow sticker trend at supermarkets - where shops slash the price of food at set times and you can bag a bargain if you know where and when to look. But experts have revealed there are also some sets dates and times to grab food for lower prices over Christmas.

As stores prepare to close their doors for Christmas Day, they’re desperate to clear out perishables and festive-themed food – slashing prices to rock-bottom levels on Christmas Eve. Anita Naik, Savings Expert at VoucherCodes.co.uk , says timing is everything when it comes to bagging deals. Shop at the right moment, and you can save a fortune, enjoy luxury products for less, and stop good food from going to waste.

Even the turkey could come in much cheaper as the shops try to get rid of them

Anita has uncovered the golden hours for bargain hunters across the UK’s biggest supermarkets

Lidl

Lidl’s yellow sticker markdowns usually happen in two waves: one early in the morning when stores open at 8am, and another in the evening before closing. For the deepest discounts, plan your Christmas Eve visit around 5pm.

Anita’s insider tip : Staff at Lidl have been known to apply extra reductions between 4pm and 5pm, just before doors close at 6pm.

Aldi

Aldi also has a two-round system for markdowns - first thing in the morning (from 8am) and again later in the evening. However, unlike Lidl, Aldi uses red stickers to highlight its discounted products. Head there by 5pm on Christmas Eve for the best bargains before stores close at 6pm.

Anita’s insider tip : Red-sticker items are scattered across the store, so keep your eyes peeled. From meat to packaged goods, Aldi tends to mark down items by up to 75% on their final day of sale.

Asda

Asda ’s reductions follow a three-tier system: the first in the morning, a second midday, and a final round of markdowns around 7pm. On Christmas Eve, plan your shop for 6pm to catch the best deals, especially on fresh fruit and veg, which can drop as low as 10p.

M&S

M&S keeps it simple but strategic, with stores reducing items about an hour before closing. On Christmas Eve, that means arriving at 3pm to snag the best bargains before stores close at 4pm.

Anita’s insider tip : If you can’t make it earlier, some M&S stores often apply last-minute reductions in the final 30 minutes before closing time. If you’re willing to risk it all, here is when you’ll find the mega bargains.

You could bag everything for the Christmas Dinner at a bargain price

Tesco

According to Anita’s research, Tesco ’s yellow stickers roll out in three waves - around 10am, 2pm, and 7pm. For the biggest bargains, head to Tesco an hour before closing. Depending on your local store, on Christmas Eve, this will be 6pm or 7pm.

Morrisons

Morrisons usually applies its first reductions as soon as stores open, and saves a final further markdown for the evening. With Christmas Eve hours closing at 4pm, the best deals are likely to pop up around 3pm.

Sainsbury’s

At Sainsbury’s, yellow stickers appear around 2pm and again at 6pm. With stores closing at 7pm on Christmas Eve, arriving at 6pm will give you the best chance to bag festive treats for less.

Anita’s extra festive foodie money-saving tips:

• Stock up and freeze : Many festive items, like meats, breads, hard cheeses, and even desserts, can be frozen for later use. This way, you’ll stretch your savings into the New Year.
• Get creative : Yellow sticker shopping can inspire inventive and seasonal meals. Use discounted ingredients to whip up something new and exciting for the family.
• Ask for further reductions : If you spot something you want, don’t hesitate to ask a staff member if it’s likely to be marked down again soon.
• Skip the stigma : There’s no shame in scoring a deal! Shopping smarter allows you to splurge on higher-quality items that might not usually fit your budget.
• Seasonal specials : Look out for markdowns on Christmas-specific items like turkeys, party platters, and festive sweets. These often carry the biggest discounts on Christmas Eve – alongside fresh foods like fruit, veg, and dairy.
• Online bargains : If you’re shopping online, check VoucherCodes.co.uk’s food and drinks offers to make sure you’re getting the best price.
• Hacks from home: Festive supermarket home delivery slots often fill up weeks in advance. But, that doesn’t mean you have to brave the shops. Check if there's any click & collect slots available - these often open up into the festive period and can help you avoid the chaos of the cheese aisle.