Tips

The Two Worst Times to Shop for Groceries: Why You’re Wasting Money and Buying Expired, Almost-Spoiled Food

Wise homemakers know better than to shop for groceries at the supermarket at these two times.

28 August, 2024

Sunday Afternoon

Sundays are notoriously busy shopping days, with families flocking to supermarkets and malls to shop and entertain their children. Shopping during peak hours can be inconvenient, as you’ll face long checkout lines and crowded aisles. It’s also more difficult to select fresh produce when there are so many other shoppers around. Perishable items, in particular, may not be as fresh as they were when they first arrived due to multiple handling.

If possible, try to shop during the week when it’s less crowded. If you must shop on the weekend, aim for the morning. Avoid the midday rush if you’re specifically looking for fresh produce.

Avoid Shopping at Noon

To get the freshest produce, it’s best to shop when the supermarket receives new stock. Typically, new products are delivered early in the morning or late at night. So, if you want the freshest options, head to the store in the morning, right after it opens. Produce tends to be less fresh if you shop around noon or in the afternoon.

Other Tips for Shopping at Supermarkets

Items Close to Their Expiration Date Are Often at the Front

Expiration dates are important to consumers, and supermarket staff know this. That’s why you’ll often find items that are close to their expiration date at the front of the shelves, where they’re most visible and accessible. Products with longer expiration dates tend to be placed at the back.

Meat and Frozen Foods Should Be Bought Last

Before heading to the supermarket, make a list of what you need to avoid overspending. When shopping, start with non-perishable items like dry goods, household supplies, and cosmetics. Leave perishable items like meat, dairy, and frozen foods for last. These items need to be kept at low temperatures, and they can spoil quickly if they’re not properly refrigerated. If you put frozen items in your cart first and then spend a long time browsing other sections, they may spoil by the time you get home.

According to Khoevadep

Frequently asked questions

The two worst times to shop for groceries are Wednesday afternoons and weekends. These are the times when most people do their grocery shopping, leading to crowded stores and long lines. Additionally, shopping at these times can result in buying expired or almost-spoiled food items.

Wednesday afternoons are typically when stores restock their shelves, so you’re more likely to find expired or soon-to-be-expired products as they rotate stock. It’s also when many stores offer discounts on perishables to clear out inventory before new stock arrives, so you might be tempted to buy items that won’t last long.

The weekends are the most convenient time for most people to shop, which means stores are at their busiest. This leads to crowded aisles, long checkout lines, and increased competition for fresh produce and other popular items. By the time the weekend rolls around, the store has also likely been picked over by mid-week shoppers, so you might find a limited selection of fresh items.

Plan your grocery trips for early to mid-week, preferably on a Tuesday or Thursday morning. This will give you access to the freshest stock and help you avoid the crowds. You can also take advantage of mid-week discounts on perishables, as stores try to move products before the weekend rush. Additionally, always check expiration dates and be mindful of how long a product will last before purchasing.