Christmas shopping - Watch those dates!

By Value hunter on Oct 3, 2026 | In Money chat, Common sense, Bad business, Rip off Britain

As the festive season gets ever earlier in the year, an age old scam by the big corporates, eager to part us from our cash with smaller pack sizes and higher prices, have a new(ish) ruse, the sell by date.

Edible stock placed in their Christmas displays of tat, are hiding the misleading con.

Home & Bargain caught doing this, this week of the 3rd October 2026.
After Eight mints, on their Christmas display with a use by date of "November 2026"
Walnut Whips (6 pack) on their Christmas display with a use by date of "December 2026"

Catching the people who have to buy in bits each week, to prep for the festive season, knowing they will have a Christmas bag on the go from late September every year, only to find that come the festive season, half of the things they've invested in, to reduce the outlay closer to the time, will be inedible as it'll be out of date.

Be careful out there people, check dates on everything edible if stashing for the season of goodwill.