The Best & Worst Days To Grocery Shop
Eating at home is a pertinent option for folks who want to make healthy eating choices and keep those hard-earned dollars tucked safely in their wallets. Nevertheless, we can all agree that in-store grocery shopping presents challenges that most of us would rather avoid. From furiously-feuding shoppers to seasonal flu and virus outbreaks, there are numerous reasons many have resorted to online grocery shopping over risking it in person.
So, are there any shopping strategies out there that can remedy the in-store mayhem? Actually, there are! Simply knowing which days are best to shop can get you one step closer to a more enjoyable and productive market-day experience. In this post, we're unveiling some of the best and worst days to brave the crowds, as well as how to navigate shopping for sports events and popular holidays.
Alright, enough of the chatter. Let's learn more about the most loved (and hated) days to hit the market.
Worst: Saturday
If you plan to go grocery shopping on Saturday, expect to be met with a colossal crowd. According to Drive Research, 59% of shoppers set out to grab groceries at the end of the week, with Saturday being the day of highest volume.
Shocked? Probably not. Most of us are aware that stepping out on Saturday to do just about anything is often more convenient than jamming it into an already tiresome work week. Still, the fact that most shoppers plan their grocery excursions on the exact same day means it may be time to rethink your schedule a bit, especially if you are one who abhors crowds.
With long lines, overrun aisles, and befuddled patrons, grabbing your weekly staples on a Saturday may prove more of a hassle than it's worth. If you must go shopping on the first day of the weekend, you may wish to try going early morning instead of midday. Sneak out the door before 10 a.m. for the least chance of being blindsided by the weekend bustle.
Of course, if the dizzyingly fast-paced nature of Saturday shopping thrills you, by all means, go ahead and brave it! But for the rest of us, it may be best to schedule the weekly shopping for another day.
Best: Wednesday
Believe it or not, the best day to go grocery shopping isn't Monday, as most assume. Instead, we argue that Wednesday is hand-down the ultimate shopping day.
The most significant benefit of going grocery shopping on Wednesday is that, for some stores, coupons and deals from weekly ads can overlap. This means that sales from last week just might coincide with deals for the current week. In addition to insane coupon deals, Wednesday is an awesome day to score good wine. This is because most people tend to buy wine over the weekend, so it is often sold at a discounted rate midweek.
There is, however, a downside to all of Wednesday's grocery shopping bliss, and that's the fact that most people have become increasingly aware of the benefits offered. The result is overcrowding and potentially even picked over shelves if you arrive too late in the evening. Thus, while this day is incredible for cheap drinks and never-ending coupons, you may need to come mentally prepared for tighter aisles and fewer parking spots when shopping on this midweek day.
Worst: Sunday
Stunned to see Sunday listed as one of the worst times to go shopping? It's true! According to Google Maps, Sunday is busiest right after noon as this is often when people are letting out of church or waking up from a long weekend's slumber. Not only this, but Sunday is also the day before the work week begins. This means you'll likely see swarms of people trying to grab last-minute groceries, especially if they've chosen to spend Saturday relaxing or indulging in recreational affairs.
With this in mind, you may wonder if there are any benefits to going shopping on a Sunday. Why, yes, actually. Despite crowds after 1 p.m., shopping on a Sunday earlier in the morning can save you both time and hassle. Because people often make use of Sunday mornings for religious activities or simply catching up on sleep, you may just find stores quieter during this time.
Best: Tuesday
If you can't accomplish grocery shopping over the weekend and wish to avoid wild Wednesdays, it may be worth it to try Tuesday on for size.
Tuesday around 9 a.m. is often the quietest grocery hour you'll experience during the week. Why this is, we don't have a precise explanation but we have a strong hunch it's because most people are at work or school on this day, so it may be worth it to grab a cart and swing on through.
Despite these findings, bear in mind that astute shoppers may endeavor to beat the Wednesday double deal crowd by attempting their grocery shopping on the evening prior. This means you may see crowds increase a bit Tuesday night, but this still isn't likely to compare to the throngs of people you'll see on a Saturday or Sunday.
One more thing to note about Tuesday is that it is yet another awesome day to score wine on the low. Remember that discounts midweek abound for some types of alcohol, so be sure to stock up when you spot those ever-so-satisfying sales.
Best: Monday
Nobody wants to think about grocery shopping on a Monday, and that's exactly why it can be a great day to go and get 'er done. Most shelves will be fully restocked by morning, and this even as stores recover from the frenzied weekend. Setting out soon after daybreak is even better, as most of society is back to work and may have already, fearlessly, shopped over the weekend.
Another reason we love Monday shopping is the potential to snag beer for cheap. If you're one to stock up on brew, be sure to check grocery aisles for deals this day. As with slashed prices for wine, beer-heads can expect steepened discounts thanks to a plummet in sales midweek.
Despite Monday's benefits, we must admit that grocery shopping on the first day of the week can be a drag. Still, if you're a person who hates crowds and would do anything to avoid them, early Monday morning just might be the perfect shopping day for you.
Best: Thursday
Though Thursday certainly may not be the most serene day of the week to take on your grocery shopping, it also isn't the busiest. Statistics show that Thursday is slightly less crowded than Wednesday, and this we can understand. With new discounts released and the possibility of overlapping deals, Thursday may be a better option for people still looking to take advantage of new coupons, minus the Wednesday mayhem.
Despite these facts, shoppers should pay close attention to when their specific grocer releases deals. Because some markets may release their weekly ads on different days than others, it is important that you consult the market you plan to visit ahead of time if your goal is to avoid sales-driven foot traffic.
Remember also that the day after hump day is a great time to shop in preparation for the weekend. Because Friday can inspire those who have spent the week cooped up in a cubicle to get out and shop, you may see more groups of people out and about than you're comfortable with by Friday's eve. Thus, Thursday may be the perfect solution for avoiding the mob of grocery shoppers that often show up at local markets closer to the week's end
Worst: Friday
Fridays can be a tricky day to navigate, but, as with most days on the list, it really depends on the time you go. Much like Sunday, Friday can have its busy hours, especially at night. Once everyone gets out of work, they've got the weekend on their mind, and traffic on the highway will begin to match traffic in stores. Moreover, people often view Friday grocery shopping as a means to beat the weekend rush, and this may be particularly true if there's a looming holiday on the horizon.
So, what's the solution to avoiding the fresh-outta-work crew? To shop early, of course! If you can, try to hit those fully stocked shelves before most people get out there. This will allow you to snag your essentials before nightfall and still avoid the madness often associated with the weekend.
There is one tiny exception to this. No matter what time you go, you can expect Black Friday to be very busy, especially if you grocery shop at a Target or Walmart which will have an onslaught of customers. If you must brave Black Friday at your local market, try to go during evening hours if you can. Just know that shelves could be picked over as many stores run Black Friday deals on everyday food products.
When to grocery shop for New Year's
When it comes to New Year's, know that most stores are actually open for this holiday, so you don't necessarily have to shop beforehand. Though many people will still attempt to grab last-minute items from the shelves, most won't be planning trips to the grocery store. Instead, it is much more likely that people will be out and about enjoying time spent with their loved ones.
So, what does this mean for you? It means that New Year's Day will likely be much less crowded than the days leading up to it, with the exception of a few lingering shoppers. Still, you can expect December 30th and 31st to be the most hectic in terms of foot traffic, especially on New Year's Eve. The silver lining is that once 5:00 pm hits crowds will begin to die out as shoppers set off to make plans for the typical New Year's Eve revelry that'll occur later that evening.
All in all, it may be best to do your shopping a few days before New Year's Eve, especially if these holidays fall on the weekend. If you must dash out last minute, try to wait until nightfall on New Year's Eve, or even on New Year's Day, to get the items you need.
Best day to buy Thanksgiving grub
Strategically planning for annual Thanksgiving feasts can be difficult. While many are cutting back due to inflation costs, most will still be making normal turkey day food purchases. Apart from avoiding crowds, you'll also need to focus on how to get your hands on your turkey, pies, and other goods, all before the stock goes kaput. Unfortunately, because the Thanksgiving holiday is centered almost entirely on eating, you can expect grocery stores to start filling up a week (or more) before the actual big event.
To get the things you need, try stocking up on Thanksgiving food way ahead of time. This might look like grabbing packaged or canned items weeks in advance and placing those items on your pantry shelf until the time comes to crack into them.
And the big turkey? If you have a cooler or deep freezer, try snatching it up as soon as you see it. A picked-over selection can happen fast around Thanksgiving, especially when everyone is flocking to grab the same thing. By selecting your turkey early you're guaranteed the size, price, and brand you want. If you can't store your Thanksgiving bird in advance, try to at least grab it no later than the Monday before the holiday.
How to avoid grocery crowds around Christmas
Ah, Christmas. Though this major holiday isn't entirely food-focused, most families do assemble a special feast to commemorate the event. To prepare, it may give you peace of mind to buy a bit of food as you go in the weeks leading up to the Christmas holiday. With all of the traditional gift shopping that also takes place, you may find relief knowing you have the food you need already purchased and ready to go for the big day.
Need fresh food or don't have the room to store everything in advance? If you must plow through the holiday hullabaloo, you should at least try to avoid Super Saturday and the week leading up to Christmas. If you aren't yet aware, Super Saturday is the last Saturday before Christmas when people emerge from their homes to buy everything from food to last-minute gifts. As you might imagine, this affectionately named "Panic Saturday" is one of the absolute worst days to head out.
Beat the rush for the Super Bowl
Millions of people plan to put on Super Bowl parties each year, and that's no exaggeration. The National Retail Federation estimates that roughly 103.5 million people decide to throw shindigs for the biggest game in U.S. sports. With party-goers eagerly anticipating game day, you can expect aisles to become quite packed the week leading up to the Super Bowl kickoff.
Annually set to air on a Sunday evening during love month, strategic grocery shoppers ought to plan to grab game day goods no later than three or four days prior. This means you should avoid the Friday and Saturday leading up to the game, as these are typically some of the busiest days for weekly grocery shopping, even outside of the big game. In the meantime, be sure to take advantage of discounts on alcohol early in the week and buy chips and other snacks to keep in your pantry until Super Bowl day.
If you urgently need to go out on game day, know that you'll likely only experience bustling aisles earlier in the day. Within 30 minutes to an hour before the Super Bowl airs, crowds usually start to die out and aisles become bare. Thus, if you aren't a major football fan, you may be able to enjoy tranquil shopping on a Sunday evening, even despite the big game.
Be an early bird for Easter
Need ham and eggs for Easter? Better snag 'em early. This is yet another holiday when the pickings can get real slim. Unlike shopping hours for Memorial Day and Labor Day, you shouldn't assume that your local grocer will remain open on Easter. Thus, if you wish to avoid the day-before-Easter sprint, you'll need to carefully plan a time to visit the store so that you won't have to battle the marketplace mob.
So, when's the best time to shop for Easter? It may be best to simply skip the days leading up to Easter, especially Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Fridays and Saturdays are already known to be some of the busiest times to hunt down groceries, so the fact that they come right before the official holiday will only make things worse. Not to mention, you'll likely be faced with picked-over hams, barely-there egg cartons, and only a smattering of chocolate bunnies left to stuff your kiddo's Easter basket with. Instead, try beating everyone to the punch by visiting the market earlier in the week (Monday and Tuesday are best) or, at the latest, Thursday morning.
Don't sleep on Labor and Memorial Day crowds
Think you only need to worry about herds of shoppers close to big holidays like Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas? Not hardly. In fact, both Memorial Day and Labor Day can come with heavy crowding in grocery stores for more reasons than the preparation of patriotic meals. What makes these two holidays so impactful when it comes to holiday shopping is the fact that both are heavily associated with awesome deals.
That's right. As you likely already know, Memorial Day and Labor Day offer pretty stellar discounts in retail. This means that not only are people shopping to prepare for their family get-togethers, but they're also taking advantage of price cuts provided in ode to the special holiday. This equates to more crowds, less-stocked shelves, and yep, you guessed it, longer lines than usual.
Oh, and if you think you might sneak out the day of the holiday to get what you need, you've got another thing coming. Even Memorial Day morning can get hectic. Instead, it may be best to snatch your groceries long before the weekend hits for the best chance of getting what you need. And remember, many retailers love extending sales over the weekend and even past the official Labor or Memorial Day holidays. Therefore, you may see crowds continuing to linger a few days even after fun's all over.
Critical times to shop for the Fourth of July
Independence Day is a holiday most Americans really look forward to, and because of this, grocery stores often look to offer a little more than just hot dogs and hamburgers to commemorate the day. You can find droves of people buying seasonally themed t-shirts, grilling supplies, and red-white-and-blue striped cookies, all in addition to the normal weekly munchies. If you've got your eyes on these things too, you'll obviously want to get a head start on holiday shopping before stock plummets.
To get what you need without risking empty shelves, try grabbing non-food-related items early on and save shopping for holiday food for the week of. Depending on when the Fourth of July hits in the week, you may see crowds surge or lessen. According to Forbes, patterns seem to indicate that midweek 4th of July celebrations tend to limit the number of people you'll see packing the aisles, as work and scheduling conflicts often get in the way.
If, however, the Fourth of July lands closer to the weekend, you'll likely see brimming parking lots and flying hot dog buns as you make your way through the jungle of last-minute shoppers. For this reason, we recommend grabbing your grilling food and other patriotic eats at least 3-4 days before the holiday hits, if not sooner. Otherwise, you may be able to zip through aisles on the day of the 4th, however, some store locations may not be open.