DISCOUNTS FOR SOON TO EXPIRE GROCERIES

DISCOUNTS FOR SOON TO EXPIRE GROCERIES

Markdowns in grocery stores are nothing new, but they remain inconsistent. Some groceries slash prices on goods that are about to expire, while others simply throw them away. Worse, there is no widely accepted system in the Philippines that standardizes how these markdowns should work.

At first glance, the terms “discount” and “markdown” might appear interchangeable, but they are not. Discounts are generally used as promotional tools—holiday sales, bulk-buy incentives, or rewards for loyalty. Markdowns, on the other hand, are tied specifically to expiry dates. If a can of milk has only a week left before its “best before” date, a markdown would reduce its Suggested Retail Price (SRP) to encourage a sale before it spoils.

This practice benefits both grocery owners and consumers. Store owners can still recover some of their investment rather than writing off soon-to-expire goods. Consumers, meanwhile, enjoy savings at the checkout counter. In a time when food prices keep rising and hunger remains a persistent issue in the Philippines, such savings are no small matter.

The Technology Has Long Been Here

What makes markdowns easier now is technology. Barcodes—introduced in the 1970s and made universal through the UPC system—already allow tracking of product shelf life. More recently, QR codes, invented in Japan in 1994, have made it possible to embed even more information. With proper Point of Sale (POS) software, stores can automatically identify which products are close to expiration and apply real-time price adjustments.

Japan is leading the way in this system. Retail giants like Lawson, FamilyMart, and AEON already use AI and barcode data to automate markdowns. Their POS machines and digital shelving systems adjust prices dynamically, and consumers can even scan QR codes with their phones to check expiry dates or see updated discounts. For shoppers in Tokyo or Osaka, it’s normal to find items marked down 20%, 50%, or even 70% as their expiry approaches. This reduces food waste dramatically while giving consumers more affordable choices.

Why can’t we do the same in the Philippines? After all, almost everyone here already has a smartphone capable of scanning barcodes and QR codes.

Legal Basis Exists

One might ask: would such markdowns be legal? The answer is yes. Republic Act No. 7394, also known as the Consumer Act of the Philippines, provides the legal framework. Sellers are allowed to lower prices for soon-to-expire items, provided they are not deceptive. Article 48 of the Act specifically prohibits “deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable” sales practices. In other words, as long as expiration dates are clearly disclosed, stores are free to apply markdowns.

What is missing is standardization and awareness. Too often, supermarkets quietly lower prices without explaining why, while others avoid the practice altogether out of fear of consumer complaints. A more transparent system—perhaps one supported by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) guidelines—could normalize markdowns and protect both buyers and sellers.

Reducing Waste, Fighting Hunger

Food waste remains a global problem. According to the UN, one-third of all food produced globally is wasted, even as millions go hungry. The Philippines is no exception—tons of edible food end up in landfills each year. If markdowns were systematically applied, many of these products could end up on dining tables instead of trash bins.

The potential goes beyond supermarkets. Imagine barangay-based hubs where soon-to-expire goods are pooled and sold at lower prices. Sari-sari stores could join cooperative programs, supported by local governments, to distribute these items transparently. Such initiatives would not only reduce waste but also support community kitchens and feeding programs.

Smart Shoppers Already Do This

In practice, Filipinos are already benefitting from similar discounts—though not always tied to expiry dates. Online platforms like Shopee, ShopSM, MetroMart, and FreshMart regularly offer up to 80% discounts on groceries, snacks, and household supplies. While not always labeled “soon-to-expire,” many of these clearance sales include short-dated products.

For the everyday shopper, the trick is to look for “clearance,” “markdown,” or “short-dated” tags, or to visit supermarkets late in the day when perishables are often marked down. Apps like MetroMart even allow you to filter items by discount category.

The Way Forward

What am I trying to say? That markdowns are not just a win-win for sellers and buyers—they are also a practical tool for waste reduction, hunger mitigation, and community support. If Japan can implement AI-driven, QR-based automatic markdowns, surely the Philippines can adapt the idea in its own way.

With barcodes, QR codes, smartphones, and even AI at our disposal, technology is no longer the problem. What we need is the will to create a system—backed by clear policy and local government support—that ensures markdowns are implemented fairly and consistently.

After all, why should perfectly edible food end up in the garbage when it could end up feeding a family, at a price they can afford?

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres

iseneres@yahoo.com, senseneres.blogspot.com 

01-26-2026