CHRISTMAS tills are ringing as we stock up on food and gifts for the big day.
And with the average cost of the festive season having shot up by 290 per cent to £1,800, more shoppers are looking for ways to cut back on spending.
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There are easy ways to save in store by looking out for secret codes that we can help you unlock.
Alex Lloyd and Yasmin Harisha reveal the 12 clever codes and tricks you need to know to get your crimbo shopping for less . . .
1. Hanwritten codes
LOOK out for handwritten codes on price labels as you browse for gifts.
These are secret messages to staff to tell them clothing and other goods are set to be marked down.
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For example a handwritten code of RF25 means the product is set to be reduced to £25 imminently, so be sure not to splash the cash just yet if offers are due.
Also look for the letters S and C, which mean the item will be added to a sale.
Gemma says: “This is a good tip when the legendary Next sale is approaching, as competition for bargains is fierce.
“By spotting the codes, you’ll know whether to hang fire on buying and wait for further reductions or snap it up there and then.”
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2. Price set to drop
RETAIL insiders say prices on big ticket items ending in 7, 8, 4 or 1 – particularly for electrical goods – mean they are heading for clearance.
This makes it a good opportunity to haggle with store staff as they will be aware that the product needs to be shifted ASAP to make way for new stock.
If there is a nine or zero at the end, there is less chance of a deal as those are standard pricing numbers.
Gemma says: “When it comes to bigger ticket items ending in these numbers, you should always try to knock the price down as staff know they need to clear it as quickly as possible.”
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3. Secret best before date
WITH more supermarkets ditching best before dates on pre-packed fruit and veg to save on food waste, it is hard to know when you can start buying food for Christmas.
And if things are on offer it might be tempting to buy early.
But at Tesco you can find out when their produce will expire by looking for a two or three figure code which reveals the date.
There are set letters for every month – so A is January, B is February and so on.
The second number is the day of the month. If you want to buy something that is in date for Christmas, check for code L25 or upward numbers.
Gemma says: “They do this to save on food waste, but you don’t want to waste money on fresh goods that are on the turn.
“Understanding this code means you can choose foods that will last longer.”
4. Home Bargain hack
STAR Buys deals at Home Bargains don’t always stick around for long.
But there is a clever sign to let you know if these offers, on everything from basics like tinned tuna to seasonal treats, will be available for a while.
If you spot a red star sticker on the shelf, that means the pressure is off – as it tells the staff more stock is coming and to keep the shelf clear to refill.
Meanwhile a red star in Tesco points staff to a highly popular item, so it might be best to snap it up.
Gemma says: “Never be embarrassed or shy to ask staff what codes and stickers on the shelves mean.
“I’m always curious about the secret signs you can find around the store and that nosiness can pay off.”
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5. Spot same products
YOU might be tempted to upgrade your food shop for Christmas, given that it is a special occasion.
But why pay more for what is actually the same product?
Many budget brands are made by the same manufacturer as the luxury ranges, they just don’t have the fancy packaging – or the affordable price tag.
On each packet, next to the use by date, you will find an eight digit product licence code.
It will tell you where the product was made and you can match up the origins of the ranges.
Gemma adds: “It’s the same for branded versus budget medicine. I’ve found paracetamol for 16p per box when an identical range costs a fiver.
“It’s a great trick if you need to stock up on painkillers for the festive hangover.”
6. TK Maxx magic no 2
FORGET three – if you want a true designer bargain in TK Maxx, look for a number two instead.
There are lots of different digits on their labels and a two at the end of a product code means it is a genuine designer item that is also sold at a higher price elsewhere, making it a good deal.
If you see a seven, this indicates that the item has been packed away for a year and brought out again for a second chance in the pre-Christmas sales.
These items aren’t new, and probably not worth the price. A number one means it was made specifically for the retailer and isn’t a designer line.
Gemma says: “I love this store and one of my best buys was a DKNY blanket reduced from £80 to £25.
“But not everything is a good deal – and this code will help you sort the good from the bad.”
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7. Find the returns section
WHEN customers buy online but return items to a store, this can cause a headache for retailers.
If they don’t carry the line in their branch, they need to ship it elsewhere, so often reduce the price instead for a quick sale.
At Dunelm, you can ask staff to see their returns section, which is full of furniture, cushions and home accessories that make ideal Christmas gifts, for as much as half price.
Gemma says: “One of my favourite tips is asking to see Ikea’s Circular Hub. It’s full of ex-display and returned items that are heavily reduced and usually in perfect condition.
“Also, if you see something discounted and it’s got an imperfection or damage, always ask for a bit extra off. They might say it will mean no returns but if you really want the product, it’s a no brainer.”
8. Know when deal will end
WEIGHING up whether to stock up on a deal or hope it will stick around can be tricky, especially when cash is tight.
But there is a sneaky way for shoppers to know if a Tesco Clubcard price is worth taking advantage of right now.
“If you look at the shelf label stating the loyalty card price, you will spot a code on it,” explains Gemma.
“It’s actually a future date written backwards – and will tell you when the deal is likely to end.
“So if it says 231224, the reduced price will be sticking around until Christmas Eve.”
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9. Leave item in the basket
MANY online retailers will send you an extra discount if you add an item to your shopping basket but then leave the site with buying.
Known as Abandoned Basket Discounts, you need to have registered for an account in order for them to email you with the offer, with Asos, H&M and Yankee Candle all known to do this.
Higher value items work best as the stores will be keen to shift them and another trick is to “favourite” products.
Some brands are also more likely to send you an deal if you are signed up to their loyalty scheme, like Boots Advantage and M&S Sparks.
Gemma says: “This is a tried and tested trick. It almost always works and if it doesn’t, waiting a couple of days before paying means you can really consider whether you need to buy it.”
10. Temu price tag trick
BUDGET website Temu has become the latest place to find cheap goods, with the online store stocking goods directly from China.
It is famed for its good value but there is a way for customers to get an even better deal, if you are prepared to watch the prices.
Gemma says: “If you purchase from Temu and then the price drops in the next 30 days, you can log into your account to request a refund of the difference.
“It might only be 50p and it relies on you to spot it and ask, but that could still pay for a tin of beans.”
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11. Codes for new customers
SUPERMARKETS reward loyalty but you can cash in for Christmas by signing up to all of their online shops to get a new customer discount code.
Once you have had a delivery, they are likely to give you codes to come back – and you can save more by asking the other members of your household to do the same.
Sainsbury’s gives your bonus Nectar points for returning, too.
Gemma says: “Loyalty to one shop doesn’t win you the best rewards.
“Sign up for every scheme because you never know when you might pop in for a few items when you are in a rush.
“Waitrose prices are too high for me most of the time but occasionally their Essentials range is cheapest and I benefit from being a MyWaitrose member.”
12. Check out online outlet
LOTS of retailers don’t just have physical outlets at out of town shopping centres – many offer online options, too.
Ted Baker, Yankee Candle, Mountain Warehouse, Reiss, Crocs and Dyson are just some of the shops with stand alone websites where everything is cheaper than the main one.
It means shoppers can treat someone to goods from their favourite luxury brands with a cheaper price tag.
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Gemma says: “Another tip is to check Amazon Outlet before you buy something on the main part of the website.
“This is even cheaper than Amazon Warehouse and full of old season lines, dupes and returns.”
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