Tesco and Sainsbury’s ‘secret codes’ revealed and they could help you save cash on your weekly shop
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SECRET codes at Tesco and Sainsbury's have been revealed that could help millions of shoppers save money on their weekly shops. Consumer Watchdog, Which? took to social media to help users decipher the often overlooked numbers in the fine print of supermarket labels.
![[Consumption And Consumerism. Portrait Of Young Woman With Shopping Cart In Market Buying Groceries Food Taking Products From Shelves In Store, Holding Glass Jar Of Sauce, Checking Label Or Expiry Date]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/127_1r3a9724_1614883218-JS765594690.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The nifty trick could lead to shoppers pocketing massive savings. Which? revealed that these codes actually tell you when a promotional offer is set to expire, allowing shoppers to stock up on discounts or deals. You may or may not have noticed that in 2023, a number of supermarkets removed the use and sell by dates on fresh produce in a widespread effort to reduce food waste.
![[A photo showing a woman's hands scanning a box of strawberries at the grocery store's self check out service.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/warehouse1218-JS746723507.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
While there are now no dates on packaged fruit and veg, some supermarkets have one of these "secret codes" on the labels of these produce, which helps staff to rotate stock. By purchasing items in bulk while they're on sale, you might spend more upfront, but you could save money over time as the cost per unit is lower.
A Which? spokesperson said: "There is a secret code which tells you when something is going to end on promotion at Tesco. They put it backwards so it can be a little bit tricky to spot. "The first digit means the year, the middle is the month, and the last two are the date.
"That means you can see something cheap, buy one to try, and know how long you've got to stock up in bulk if you like it.". They shared that other supermarkets such as Waitrose are more apparent with the day and month, but retailers like Sainsbury's only show the date the promotion started.
