Why do supermarkets slice bread near the end of the day?

Posted by Lybertyne2@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 8 comments

You know the loaves they bake in-store and you cut yourself at home, I've found that come 7pm-ish any remaining loaves have been machine-sliced. Why can't they leave them whole?

Reply to Post

8 Comments

[-]

NunWithABun@reddit

As part of their code checking (seeing if items are in date and reducing as appropriate), most supermarkets will slice their bakery bread in the evenings so it can be sold the next day as slicing it keeps it fresh. It doesn't affect quality and reduces waste.

[-]

Gex_88@reddit

This is the correct answer! It allows an extra day to be added to the date so it can be sold the next day. If picking up an ISB (In Store Bakery) loaf during the day always opt for the non sliced and ask for it to be sliced.

[-]

Jackatarian@reddit

..Slicing keeps it fresh?

[-]

Clever_Username_467@reddit

Because the counter closes at 7.

[-]

Ditherandthink@reddit

I've always thought that it was done to ensure the bread that didn't sell earlier in the day maintains a nice soft squeeze feel rather than be surrounded by crust that could have gone slightly hard.

[-]

Beneficial_Award_308@reddit

Because they offer a slicing service. I’m willing to bet they stop that service at 7pm, and have had one too many people come in requesting the service *after* 7pm and complain about it. So they just slice them all. What are the customers going to do? Ask you to put it back together?

[-]

IntellegentIdiot@reddit

100% this.

[-]

_whopper_@reddit

Bakery staff go home. Before then you'd just ask the staff member to slice it if you want it sliced.