Customers have criticised major retailers over how they slash prices on perishable goods like fresh produce.
Stores frequently discount food and beverage items approaching their best before, use by, or display by dates, but shoppers have expressed frustration with prices spotted at outlets including Sainsbury’s and Tesco recently.
On social media, one shopper posted an image of a container of raspberries purchased at Sainsbury’s bearing a yellow reduced-price label.
The shopper noted that raspberries selling for £2.50 at standard price and reduced to £2.25 with the best before date set for the following day seemed unreasonable and observed it was not the first occasion they had seen such minor reductions.
Understanding the difference between best before and use-by dates
The message accompanying the post expressed dissatisfaction with this particular Sainsbury’s location in Cornwall. The shopper highlighted that the reduction was only 25p and noted that numerous other fruits and vegetables were also marked down with the next day’s date. The poster suggested these items would likely be discarded behind the store due to excessive greed, adding that similar unreasonable reductions occurred across all product categories at their nearby branch.
The post in the Bargain Lovers Facebook community, which has 1.2 million followers, sparked conversation with other users, with several agreeing that items with a best before date of just one day away ought to be discounted by significantly more than 25p.
Others mentioned they had witnessed comparable price cuts at retailers beyond Sainsbury’s.
One user observed that Tesco operates in an identical manner, particularly with the premium range.
Another commented that there seemed little point in such minor reductions and expressed willingness to pay the additional 25p for fresher stock knowing it would remain good longer.
One shopper remarked that retailers would rather dispose of food than assist anyone, suggesting every retailer behaves the same way and calling it shameful when people are struggling with hunger.
However, some customers do not view this negatively, noting that 25p is reasonable for an item with tomorrow’s date and that it will be discounted further the next day.
A different customer noted that items get reduced further on the actual best before date and added that if they still do not sell, they will be collected by charities or food banks.
Tesco informed Newsquest it maintains that good food should never go to waste and that it discounts perfectly good items using yellow stickers.
The company stated that products are reduced in price throughout the day and certain branches feature dedicated areas to help customers easily locate short-dated goods.
Any unsold items are donated to charitable organisations and local communities, while any leftover surplus is offered to staff members at no cost.
A pilot scheme is currently running at select Tesco Express branches where customers can take any remaining yellow-sticker items free of charge at closing time, after they have first been offered to charities and employees.
Newsquest has reached out to Sainsbury’s for a response.