I find the notion that grocers will deliberately sell us off food (and "love it") a position in need of defense. Obviously they would love to buy Y amount of product and sell 95% x Y of it to the consumer rather than 50% or 90% of Y. However, the grocery industry in general* is a competitive market with consumers having multiple options from which to choose (and appear to actually do so based on quality as a major motivator). The grocery store wants you to get (or at least feel that you get) quality product. Part of that is going to be product not near its listed expiration date (so a reason why they might want those dates pushed back or eliminated), but also by their food not spoiling before they can consume it.
*excluding situations of food deserts and captive audience, notable in lower-income urban areas in my country.