Tesco introduces new 7pm price rule across UK stores

Shoppers have spotted a new yellow sticker discount (Image: Getty)

Tesco has introduced a new wave of markdowns after 7pm to prevent food waste. Customers have spotted signs in various stores stating that loose bakery products will be half price after the cut off.

The incentive was shared on social media where one image showed a 50% discount sign next to some croissants and chocolate twists, although it said it "excludes bread and gingerbread". One bargain hunter wrote to 64,000 followers on the popular Facebook page, Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK: "Spotted this in my local Tesco Express - not sure if all stores, but maybe useful to someone."

Tesco bakery items were marked down to half price after 7pm (Image: Getty)

Loose bakery items baked daily in Tesco include pastries such as pecan plaits, cheese croissants, and cinnamon or raisin swirls.

A Tesco spokesperson confirmed that while the discount is generally around 7pm, it can vary by store, adding: "Markdowns on fresh products continue to be popular and help to prevent good food from going to waste."

In March, Tesco launched another trial to minimise food waste and hunger, allowing yellow sticker items in certain Tesco Express stores to be scanned through the checkouts for free after 9.30pm. 

The locations of the select Tesco Express stores have been kept under wraps. As part of this free trial, Tesco said it would still give food to charities, but staff would get priority access to yellow sticker items reduced earlier in the day.

Any leftover food in the run-up to closing time marked with the stickers will be available for customers to take home for free as part of the trial.

A Tesco spokesperson said at the time:“We are constantly looking for innovative new ways to reduce food waste. In all our stores we offer unsold surplus food to charities and community groups, donating millions of meals each month.

“This trial, in a small number of our Express stores, will allow customers to take any remaining yellow stickered items for free at the end of the day, after they have first been offered to charities and colleagues.”