Stretch Your Grocery Budget: How Near Best Before Stores Like NQR and Savemore Help You Save in Melbourne (and Beyond)

As the cost of living continues to rise across Australia, many households are looking for practical ways to cut down on everyday expenses—especially groceries. One increasingly popular and smart approach is shopping at near best before stores, such as NQR, Savemore, Factory Food Sales, and Cheaper Buy Miles, all located in Melbourne. These retailers specialise in selling food and household items close to or just past their best before dates—often at discounts of 30% to 90% off regular retail prices.

What Are “Near Best Before” Stores?

These stores source stock that is:

• Close to or just past its best before date (which differs from a use by date—see below),

• Overstocked, discontinued, or short-dated,

• From brand clearances or bulk liquidation sales.

This allows them to pass massive savings onto the consumer. Importantly, the products are still safe to consume, as the best before date relates to quality—not safety.

The Difference Between “Best Before” and “Use By”

Understanding food labelling is key to shopping confidently at these stores:

• Best Before: The product may lose some freshness, taste, or nutritional value after this date, but it's generally still safe to consume.

• Use By: This is a safety-related date. Food should not be consumed after this date.

Near best before stores focus almost exclusively on best before products, which means you're unlikely to compromise on safety.

Key Stores in Melbourne to Know

1. NQR (Not Quite Right)

With multiple stores across Melbourne, NQR is well known for selling heavily discounted groceries, snacks, frozen goods, and household products. They stock big-name brands and update their inventory frequently—so regular visits can really pay off.

2. Savemore

Located in Melbourne’s South Eastern suburbs, Savemore offers an eclectic mix of grocery items, snacks, cleaning products and personal care products—often at unbeatable prices.

3. Factory Food Sales

Located in Dandenong South, this family-run store is a hidden gem. You’ll find bulk food, frozen items, snacks, sauces, and more—perfect for families or savvy bulk buyers.

4. Cheaper Buy Miles

Operating both online and with a physical presence, Cheaper Buy Miles offers warehouse-clearance pricing on groceries, pet food, personal care products, and more. You can even have items shipped to your door.

Tips for Shopping Smart at Near Best Before Stores

• Check the dates: Know the difference between best before and use by. Most stores clearly label the products.

• Buy and freeze: Stock up on items like meat, bread, or dairy and freeze them before their best before dates to extend shelf life.

• Plan flexible meals: Since stock changes frequently, be open to building your weekly meals around what’s available.

• Visit regularly: Inventory is ever-changing, and the best deals go fast.

• Be brand-flexible: You may find international or lesser-known brands—don’t be afraid to try something new.

Similar Stores Across Australia

Although this article focuses on Melbourne, other states have their equivalents:

• NSW: The Reject Shop (certain branches), Aussie Foods Clearance Outlet

• QLD: Food Barn, Crazy Clarks-style stores

• SA: Cheap as Chips (some food items), Rite Price

• WA: Spudshed (not near best before but known for discounts)

Final Thoughts

Shopping at near best before stores is an excellent way to save money without sacrificing quality. It also helps reduce food waste—making it a more sustainable way to shop. For Melbourne shoppers, stores like NQR, Savemore, Factory Food Sales, and Cheaper Buy Miles are goldmines for budget-conscious families, students, and anyone looking to cut down on grocery bills.

So next time you're stocking the pantry or freezer, why not swap the supermarket for one of these bargain-packed stores? Your wallet—and the planet—will thank you.