The Yellow Sticker Hunt 2026: Best Markdown Times in Sydney & Melbourne

1. The 2026 “Three-Wave” Markdown Rule

Supermarkets in Sydney and Melbourne generally follow a tiered discount system. The closer to the “Use By” date, the lower the price goes.

Time Wave	Discount	Best For…
Morning (8 AM – 10 AM)	10% – 25%	Fresh bread, pastries from the previous night, and “ugly” produce.
Afternoon (4 PM – 5 PM)	50%	Ready meals (salads, sandwiches), deli meats, and rotisserie chickens.
Evening (1 Hour Before Closing)	70% – 90%	The “Golden Hour.” Meat, seafood, and dairy. You can find $10 packs of mince for $1.00.

Coles World Square / Central: Because of high foot traffic, markdowns happen earlier. The “Golden Hour” here starts around 7:30 PM.
Woolworths Town Hall: Check the “Deli” section around 5:00 PM for discounted sushi and hot food for a cheap dinner.
Inner West (Newtown/Marrickville): Visit around 8:00 PM. These stores are often targets for “Rescuers,” so the competition is high.

Woolworths QV / Elizabeth St: In 2026, these stores are often stocked specifically for students. Markdowns on “Ready-to-Eat” meals are aggressive between 4:30 PM and 5:30 PM.
Coles Melbourne Central: The bakery markdowns here are legendary. Arrive at 8:00 PM for 50-cent muffins and sourdough.
The “Lygon Street” Rule: IGA and local grocers in Carlton often mark down their “Gourmet” items (deli cheeses, pastas) on Sunday afternoons to clear stock for the Monday delivery.

In 2026, the best markdowns don’t just happen at night—they happen when the rest of the city is distracted.

Grand Final Friday (Melbourne): Friday, September 25, 2026. While everyone is at the parade or the pub, supermarkets are empty and full of expiring party food.
Australia Day (Jan 26): Shops in “Type 1” areas (CBDs) stay open until 9 PM, but residential stores close at 6 PM. Visit residential stores at 5:00 PM for massive meat discounts.
Tuesday Nights: New catalogues start on Wednesday. Tuesday evening is the best time to find “End of Special” stock being marked down to make room for new promo items.

Look Up and Down: Markdowns aren’t always in a dedicated “Reduced” fridge. Check the regular shelves—staff often slap a yellow sticker on an item and leave it in its original spot.
The “Meat” Freeze: In 2026, many students buy “Yellow Sticker” meat and freeze it immediately. Look for the “Suitable for Freezing” icon on the pack.
Check the “Unit Price”: Sometimes a 50% markdown is still more expensive than the “Everyday Low Price” home-brand version. Always check the price per 100g.
Use the Apps: Open your Everyday Rewards or Flybuys app while you shop. If you find a markdown item and have a “10x Points” booster for that category, you get the discount plus the bonus points.