I’ve been to the grocery store way too many times (in the past of course!) on payday when the aisles are full, or at the end of a big sale when there’s not much left on the shelves but now that I’m a strategic shopper I know the five worst times to go grocery shopping. You will not see me in the store on any of the following occasions:
- Between 4 and 7 on weekday afternoons when the tired and cranky crowd hits the store on the way home from work.
- The day before a holiday – I do not want to buy one of the last remaining turkeys or picked over Christmas cookies.
- Holiday weekends – not even the employees want to be there on Memorial Day and the 4th of July weekends, and all of the good sales come before the holiday anyway.
- Weekends – most store sales start at the beginning or middle of the week so by the weekend much of the good stuff is already gone.
- Right before or during a big storm – lots of people do last-minute shopping to prepare when the weatherman predicts a hurricane or a snow storm, unfortunately this can sometimes lead to price gouging and shortages. Instead, you can be prepared by keeping the things you might need in your stockpile.
I have gone to the store on the weekend and between 4-7 and I can totally agree those are the worst times to go. Unless you go extra early on the weekend mornings. I haven’t had a problem at those times so far lol!
In my area I would also have to say Wednesdays. Most stores around here have senior days on Wednesdays. I certainly have nothing against senior citizens (I always, think person could be my Grandma or Grandpa) , but it usually means the stores are busier and I like to shop quickly. When I have to worry about being stuck behind slow moving people in the aisles (or parking lots!), I get more stressed out. So I just go on a different morning.
I totally agree with numbers 2-4. Those are the worst times to go grocery shopping!