You don’t expect to see scuffles in the supermarket, but when it comes to the yellow sticker section it seems anything is possible.
Staff have been sharing their experiences of what it’s like to be reducing items, when customers are flocking ‘like vultures’. And shoppers have been giving their own accounts of what it’s like trying to get their hands on some of the cheaper goods.
A post on social media showing a supermarket worker with a barrier around her while she labels up the reduced items has attracted hundreds of comments from people – many of them saying they know exactly what it’s like to be doing that job.
“Used to be my job. I was spat at, shoved scratched and punched all for the sake of 20p sandwiches,” said one. “I used to find new ways to confuse them like bringing them out a different door or hiding them in random boxes. Retail workers do not get paid enough to deal with these people. It was like being in the Walking Dead.”
One worker said they ‘once saw a fight break out over reduced eggs’
(Image: Manchester Family / MEN)
One worker said they ‘once saw a fight break out over reduced eggs’, with security called to intervene, and another said: “Worked in Asda and had two women full on fighting over a squashed birthday cake. And I mean full on scrapping. Did I try and stop them. No. Just stood back and watched them kick the s**t out of each other. Crazy world.”
A female member of staff said she was eight months pregnant doing yellow stickers and ‘that didn’t even stop people getting up my a**e’, adding: “They are like sharks, when one sees you the rest swarm in, one lady said I was the problem because I asked for space.”
And another woman said: “I literally used to do this for a living and got a black eye for ‘being in a customer’s way’ and got followed around the entire store over some cheap pastries. People be CRAZY.”
It seems it’s not just staff in harm’s way either, as customers recounted their own experiences.
“Someone slapped my hand out of the way once while I was reaching for an item,” said one man.
And another shopper said: “It’s the same people every night and I don’t blame them, we are all struggling but it is MENTAL. I stopped going at reduced time and took advantage of it being half price at lunch time as it’s not worth it. In my local Morrisons fridge doors have been smashed, punches thrown. One woman was throwing packs of grapes.”
Many said the situation has got worse in recent years, including one shopper, who said: “If it wasn’t so expensive in the first place there wouldn’t be this problem.”
There can often be huge reductions
(Image: MEN Media)
And while some referred to yellow sticker shoppers as ‘vultures’, others urged for a bit more compassion for those struggling to make ends meet.
“There’s no reason to behave badly in the shop, especially where it causes harm to others,” said one. “But there are also a lot of rude entitled people in these comments who have never had to rely on these reductions to feed your family. I’m glad for you – but there’s no need to be rude about those who need it.”
And other shared what he described as ‘a thought to reflect on’.
“Sometimes, what people need to remember is that the reduced section in stores isn’t just a bargain bin – it’s a lifeline for many,” he said. “For some, it’s the only way to afford a decent piece of meat or a main-brand product.
“It’s heart-breaking to witness people from less fortunate backgrounds struggling or even clashing to get the food they need. This isn’t just about bargains – it’s about survival. If inflation and the greed of some shareholders didn’t drive prices so high, maybe this wouldn’t be happening.
“While there’s no excuse for rudeness, we need to understand the deeper issue. When faced with scarcity, instincts kick in – fight or flight takes over. At our core, we are all hunters trying to provide.”
Have you worked in a supermarket and encountered these issues? Have you been a customer caught up in a yellow sticker row? Let us know in the comments.