As households gear up for the most indulgent week of the year, Christmas magic is in the air. But, the festive pressure builds just as quickly…
Sorting last-minute shepherds’ outfits for the school nativity, tracking down a turkey big enough for the full guest list, and racing for New Year’s party essentials all stack up, leaving many feeling the strain, both mentally and financially, long before the celebrations even begin.
To help protect something people rarely get enough of in December – time – Zoe Morris, savings expert at VoucherCodes.co.uk, has revealed the best times to grab a supermarket Yellow Sticker steal this December…
How to get a Yellow Sticker bargain this Christmas
As stores prepare to close their doors and reduce their hours over Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, they’re desperate to clear out perishables and festive-themed food – slashing prices to rock-bottom levels.
Zoe says timing is everything when it comes to bagging these unbelievable deals. And while bargain-loving Brits are no stranger to a yellow sticker browse at the supermarket, many don’t realise the actual time to strike gold (or, yellow?). Shop at the right moment, and you can save a fortune, enjoy luxury products for less, and stop good food from going to waste.
Yellow sticker shopping times for UK supermarkets 2025
So, when exactly should you hit the aisles for these festive yellow sticker steals? Zoe has uncovered the golden hours for bargain hunters across the UK’s biggest supermarkets – and the clock is ticking…
Lidl
Lidl’s Christmas Eve 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 at 6pm. For the deepest discounts, plan your Christmas Eve visit around 5pm.
On New Year’s Eve, Lidl stores are set to close at 6pm, and remain closed for New Year’s Day, meaning stores will be looking to reduce perishable and seasonal stock before closing time. Head to stores in the afternoon for discounts, or leave it until early evening (around 5pm) for the biggest deals.
Zoe’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.
Zoe’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.
Aldi is also closed on New Year’s Day, meaning New Year’s Eve will be prime time to secure a bargain. Stores close at 6pm on NYE, so head over at 5pm for the deepest discounts.
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.
Asda is open both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, meaning discounts won’t be as heavy as stores closing to bring in the New Year. However, there will still be discounts on seasonal stock available, so it’s worth a trip to stock the cupboards for 2026.
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.
On New Year’s Eve, stores will close at 7pm, and won’t re-open until 2nd January. This means the prime time for last-minute bargains will be 6pm – ideal if you’re on the hunt for NYE party food!
Zoe’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.
Tesco
According to Zoe’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.
On New Year’s Eve, most Tesco stores will close their doors at 7pm – but they will re-open on New Year’s Day. So, if you’re looking for savings on seasonal stock, check in at around 6pm.
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 5pm, the best deals are likely to pop up around 4pm.
Morrisons will also remain open over New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, closing at 7pm on the 31st, and opening at 8am on the 1st. Check in at 6pm on NYE to grab any last-minute deals.
Sainsbury’s
At Sainsbury’s, yellow stickers tend to 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.
On New Year’s Eve, Sainsbury’s stores will close at 7pm (with some convenience stores open until 9pm), and re-open on New Year’s Day at 8am. To catch the last deals of 2025, drop in around 6pm.
Zoe’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: Remember, 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 – so don’t be afraid to get your bargain hunting boots out and fill your basket if you find worthwhile deals!
- 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 or New Year’s Eve – alongside fresh foods like fruit, veg, and dairy.
- Online bargains: If you’re shopping online, remember to check VoucherCodes.co.uk’s food and drinks offers to make sure you’re getting the best price.
With these tips, you’re all set for an efficient Christmas Eve shop. Whether you’re filling your freezer for the winter, or prepping for the big days, these bargains are a festive win for your wallet – and a step towards reducing food waste too!
Looking to fully optimise your December shopping schedule? Check out VoucherCodes.co.uk for even more timing advice, plus exclusive deals you won’t find anywhere else.
