A Kroger shopper has noticed more discount stickers on groceries nearing their expiration dates, but the reduced prices have left them disappointed. Even with only a day remaining before the expiration date, the shopper reported that markdowns rarely exceeded 50%.
Here's what to know
In a post on Reddit's r/Frugal community, the shopper compared their experience in the United States with shopping at Lidl in the United Kingdom, where they recalled saving 60% to 80% on perishable foods, including items suitable for freezing.
The possibility of food going unsold worried the shopper, who described multiple discounted products sitting in a quiet Kroger. Their local store was marking down more products than before, following an increase over three years, but those stickers didn't necessarily mean the food would find buyers.
Shopping at different times had not yielded deeper discounts.
Discounts sometimes reached 80% at one commenter's smaller downtown Kroger, illustrating how other shoppers' experiences differed. "I think it depends on who is marking things down on a given day," the commenter wrote.
More background
Checking every package had become a necessity for one shopper, who said two stores they used put newer stock in front of older products. They were among several commenters who reported finding food still on shelves past its labeled date.
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Another frustrated shopper said worthwhile seasonal discounts sometimes took a week to appear. At Cub, they described a Halloween candy section stretching more than eight feet without any clearance signs.
What can be done?
Morning was generally when Whole Foods Market applied its discount stickers, according to one commenter. They reported 50% reductions across several departments for products a day away from their best-by dates.
Having around 12 or more units left could allow for deeper reductions at the large grocery-selling retailer where another commenter worked. The employee described a computer-directed markdown process, with reductions ranging from small discounts to half off.
The original poster especially valued the savings on foods they could freeze, including meat, fish, and other freezer-friendly groceries.
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