This Is the Best Time of Day to Grocery Shop (2024)

FAQs

This Is the Best Time of Day to Grocery Shop? ›

Going early in the morning may also help you get fresh picks, she said. "There may be an abundance of food, especially in the produce aisle. If you're shopping for freshly prepared items they may run out if you shop later."

The best bet is to get to the market early, as soon as it opens, or late, right before it closes. You'll zip through the aisles and check out with practically no one to slow you down. During the week, avoid visiting between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., when most people get off work and head to the store.

"Consider shopping during off-peak hours, like early on weekday mornings." But Trae Bodge, a shopping expert at TrueTrae.com, adds that shopping early—or late—on the weekend can save you from crowded aisles. "I try to avoid weekends," she says.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday - evenings

Weekday evenings are often some of the best times to head to the shops as it'll be after the school run and rush hour shoppers have filled up their trolleys and left. There's also a higher chance of reduced items being available.

“A weekday morning, especially mid-week like Wednesday, is a great time to shop at Walmart,” said Melissa Cid, consumer savings expert for MySavings.com. “You're more likely to encounter a less busy store, stocked shelves and fresh produce and meats.

The Habit-Breaker: Shop during non-peak hours.

If you have the time to shop during the week, try a less busy day like Monday or Tuesday. And go before 4 p.m. or after dinner to avoid the after-work crowd. If weekend shopping is a must for you, that's fine!

Going early in the morning may also help you get fresh picks, she said. "There may be an abundance of food, especially in the produce aisle. If you're shopping for freshly prepared items they may run out if you shop later." Google can provide you with the busiest and slowest times for shopping at different stores.

There are two peak hours for online shopping — the morning peak, 10 am to 11 am, and a second peak at 8 pm and 9 pm. These peaks follow consumer behavior patterns and will change with your audience.

Saturday Is the Worst Day to Go Grocery Shopping

With that in mind, it follows that Saturday is when the big grocery store push happens.

i'd probably say monday or tuesday late morning. or later in the evening, like around 9pm when the supermarket closes at 10pm. supermarkets start getting a bit busier from wednesday, then the weekends are most busy, predictably.

How often should you go to the grocery store? ›

While once- or twice-per-month shopping trips have been proven to save time and money, not everyone's life can accommodate it. If you're adamant about having fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet, then a once-per-week trip is more realistic.

Having a big weekly shop is the most useful plan on average. You can be organised by planning your meals and creating a shopping list in advance. This can help you avoid forgetting items or buying unnecessary items.

Best: Weekday mornings

Weekday mornings can be a great time to avoid Walmart crowds. Most shoppers are busy with work or getting the kids off to school, which can help you enjoy quiet aisles and short lines when you're ready to check out.

Specifically, mark the first five days of the month. That's usually when Walmart's hidden clearance kicks in at stores. Markdowns, including seasonal inventory, typically happen in this time frame.

Liam Lucas, an industry expert, shared that the best days to shop at Target are Tuesdays and Wednesdays. “Many retail stores, including Target, restock their shelves during these days, giving customers access to fresh inventory and a wider selection of items,” he explains.

Specifically, many experts advise shopping on Wednesday and Thursday. Going to the store during the middle of the week can allow you to get better prices because many stores restock their shelves at this time when their weekly deliveries arrive.

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.