Eagle-eyed shopper discovers a little-known code on labels at Woolworths that will help you score a huge discount on groceries

  • A  shopper has claimed she discovered a little-known code on Woolworths labels
  • The woman, from NSW, purchased $16.37 beef roast and $1.86 bottle of milk 
  • Upon closer inspection, she noticed a time stamp on top corner of both products
  • She believed the codes suggested when the items were reduced during the day

By CINDY TRAN FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: | Updated:

An eagle-eyed shopper has discovered a little-known code on Woolworths labels that claims shows the time the products are discounted.

The woman, from New South Wales, scored a huge discount after purchasing a $16.37 beef roast and a $1.86 bottle of full cream milk after the prices were slashed when they were marked for a 'quick sale'.

Upon closer inspection, she noticed a time stamp on the top corner of the produce in which she believed the items were reduced.

The beef showed '11:25' while the milk was marked with '10:34' on the labels. 

An eagle-eyed shopper has claimed she discovered a little-known code on Woolworths labels that indicate the time the fresh produce are discounted. The woman noticed a time stamp in the top corner of her beef roast, in which she believed it was marked down at 11.25am

An eagle-eyed shopper has claimed she discovered a little-known code on Woolworths labels that indicate the time the fresh produce are discounted. The woman noticed a time stamp in the top corner of her beef roast, in which she believed it was marked down at 11.25am

The observant woman said the codes will help guide her as to what time of the day the supermarket marks down perishables - so she knows when to shop. 

'Plan on working out my law of averages and striking when most likely to hit gold,' the shopper said in a Facebook group.

'I believe I've found a time stamp for when the markdowns happen on Woolies' new labels.'

A Woolworths spokesman told Daily Mail Australia: 'We use markdowns from time to time to minimise food waste. The availability of markdowns will vary from day to day and store to store based on stock levels and demand.'

Many shoppers said they were unaware of the time stamp, while others suggested they will take note of the labels the next time they do their grocery.

However, others said there was unlikely to be a set time-of-day for markdowns, as products go out of date constantly. 

'They get done when they get done. There is no specific time they get done. It depends on staff, how many guns and printers they have. Sometimes products don't get marked down at all some days,' one woman said.

But bargain hunters disputed this, claiming the best times to shop are either early in the morning or shortly before closing time.

Upon closer inspection, she noticed a time stamp on the top corner of her products, including this bottle of milk, in which she believed suggested when the items were reduced

Upon closer inspection, she noticed a time stamp on the top corner of her products, including this bottle of milk, in which she believed suggested when the items were reduced

The best times to shop for markdown bargains

Australian supermarket stores are discounting items progressively through the day, with 20, 40, 60, 80 and even 99 per cent slashed off the retail prices.

There are no set day for markdowns as products go out of date constantly - but bargain hunters suggest the best times to shop are either early in the morning or shortly before closing time.

Stores slash prices off perishables in a bid to sell whatever they can before binning it or donating to charities.

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One Woolworths employee claimed the discounts on fresh produce are carried out twice a day in her store.

'In my store, all markdowns for any fresh department - deli, meat, seafood and bakery - are to be done by 11am and a further one is done again at 4pm, for things that have to be cleared by that day,' she claimed.

Another Woolworths worker agreed, saying: 'As far as I know, markdowns are completed before 11am and before 4 pm except for bread which can vary depending on store size and production.'

While a third employee said: 'It's different in every store and it varies so much.'

Supermarket stores often markdown items progressively through the day, with 20, 40, 60, 80 and even 99 per cent slashed off the retail prices.

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