An astonishing scene unfolded at a Morrisons store recently, as shoppers scrambled over one another and an employee in a desperate race to reach a trolley filled with discounted food items.
This moment, caught on video, highlights the lengths to which some customers will go in their pursuit of a good deal.
Shocked by the Scene
Maria Jones, a 35-year-old customer, found herself astounded by the frenzy surrounding the reduced prices.
According to her, every day between 5:30 PM and 6 PM, staff members roll out trolleys stocked with items that are either nearing their expiration dates or slightly damaged, marked down significantly to attract bargain hunters.
“The bakery, groceries, and meat sections all feature items that are about to go out of date or have some damage, but the prices are slashed,” she explained.
It’s a daily occurrence that draws a swarm of shoppers looking to save a few pounds on their groceries.
The Fight for Discounts
Footage from the store showcases a chaotic scene where shoppers eagerly grabbed items marked down to as little as 5p.
It all went down at the Morrisons on Ridgeway Drive in Stoke-on-Trent.
Maria expressed her dismay at the situation, saying, “I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s really sad to witness people almost fighting over reduced food.”
She noted that the rush typically creates a queue of people at various parts of the store around that time each day.
“This wasn’t filmed to shame anyone; it was meant to highlight the ongoing cost-of-living crisis in the UK,” she added.
Public Reaction to the Madness
Witnesses to the wild bargain hunt were left speechless.
One person remarked sarcastically, “Well done, you saved 30p.” Another, named Matthew, chimed in, “All that for 40p off, and it’ll be out of date tomorrow.”
Many agreed, pointing out the predictable nature of the chaos.
“Same time every day,” one shopper commented. Another added, “I’ve seen this in Asda too.”
Morrisons has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the incident.
A Growing Trend Among Supermarkets
The rush for reduced items isn’t isolated to just one store.
In March, a Tesco store had to implement plastic barriers and assign security staff to oversee its discounted chiller cabinet.
Shoppers were seen lining up behind construction-style orange barriers, all vying for the yellow-sticker bargains within.
Local residents reported that these measures went beyond mere physical barriers, claiming that store management had instituted a two-item limit per customer to curb excessive grabbing.
Some believe this trend is a direct result of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, with tensions rising to the point where fights broke out among desperate shoppers.
Looking Ahead
As supermarket chains continue to navigate the challenges posed by the rising cost of living, the measures they take to manage customer behavior in pursuit of discounts could become increasingly strict.
For now, it remains to be seen how stores will adapt to these challenging circumstances.