Every savvy shopper knows to check the clearance aisle for deals. However, there is another, often overlooked, section of the grocery store that is a goldmine for hidden discounts. The dairy aisle is a place of constant turnover. Its products have a short and strict shelf life. This means that employees must constantly mark down items to sell them before they expire. By learning to spot these secret markdowns, you can find some of the best deals in the entire store.
Why the Dairy Aisle?
The dairy department is unique because of its high volume of perishable goods. Items like yogurt, milk, and creamer have a firm “sell by” date. A store is legally required to pull an item from the shelf once it passes this date. This gives the department manager a powerful incentive to mark down any items that are nearing their date. They would much rather sell a product at a discount than have to throw it away as a total loss.
Look for “Manager’s Special” Stickers
The key to finding these deals is to look for the bright orange or yellow “Manager’s Special” stickers. An employee will review the dairy case every morning. They will identify any products that are a day or two away from their “sell by” date. They will then place a sticker on these items, often with a discount of 50% or more. These are the hidden gems of the dairy aisle.
The Yogurt and Creamer Goldmine
The yogurt and coffee creamer sections are often the best places to hunt for these deals. These categories encompass a vast array of different flavors and brands. This means it is very common for some of them to sell more slowly than others. You can frequently find a specific, less popular flavor of your favorite yogurt or creamer with a deep discount sticker on it.
Finding Discounted Cheeses
The cheese section is another great place to look for hidden discounts. This is especially true for the pre-packaged shredded and sliced cheeses. These items have a shorter shelf life than a large block of cheese. You can often find a package of shredded cheddar or sliced provolone marked down. This is perfect for a recipe you are planning to make that same night.
The Best Time to Look
These dairy markdowns are almost always done first thing in the morning. This is when the department manager is reviewing the inventory for the day. The early morning shoppers will have the absolute best selection of these discounted items. If you wait until the afternoon or the evening to shop, the best deals will likely be long gone.
The dairy aisle is more than just a place to get your milk and eggs. It is a dynamic, fast-moving section of the store. This makes it a hotspot for unadvertised deals and hidden discounts. By keeping a sharp eye out for those markdown stickers, you can turn the store’s need to move inventory into a major win for your grocery budget.
What is the best hidden discount you have ever found in the dairy aisle? Do you have any other tips for finding these secret markdowns? Let us know!
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