The Potential Financial Benefit Of Ordering Groceries For Pickup

Grocery store pickup services are undoubtedly useful options for shoppers with limited mobility or busy schedules. However, those who have ample time and enjoy wandering the grocery store aisles on their own may be inclined to question whether grocery pickup is necessary or worth it. Beyond the grocery items themselves, grocery stores and supermarkets may charge extra service fees depending on how large the orders are.

Going to the grocery store on your own means avoiding that possible extra charge; you only have to pay for the groceries themselves. Plus, by doing the shopping yourself, you get to select your own groceries, which is especially comforting when choosing items like produce that may vary in size, shape, and freshness. If you are able, it may seem that skipping the pickup service and shopping in person is the way to go. There is one factor, though, that might convince you otherwise.

What many in-person shoppers might not realize is that grocery stores are fertile grounds for impulse buys, so if you often find yourself straying from your shopping list, you are not alone. 

The moment shoppers walk in, the store's setup subtly sways them into buying more items. Sales with bold flashy price tags, new products bookending every aisle, the sweet smells of fresh baked goods hitting shoppers' noses at the entrance, the individual candy bars and gum packs lining the checkout lanes — these stores strategically set up every section of the store to get shoppers to buy as many items as possible. And, according to the data, these tactics work. A 2013 study found that impulse buys account for 62% of supermarket sales and up to 80% of sales in particular product categories.

In short, ordering items for pickup keeps shoppers from stepping into the grocery store and falling victim to these subdued selling tactics. It's much easier to stick to your essential grocery list when the novelty of potential impulse items is practically hitting you in the face.

Grocery pickup is not the only option for those who want to avoid the insides of their local supermarket, though. Grocery delivery services like Instacart, FreshDirect, and Postmates are great alternatives too. In fact, using a delivery service might be the best option for shoppers without cars of their own. 

Needless to say, these services come with extra costs of their own, including delivery fees and tips for the deliverers. It may be worth evaluating how susceptible you are to impulse buying in the stores, as these delivery fees may still come out to cost less than the extra items you might throw into your cart on a whim.

If you do enjoy the experience of walking up and down those grocery aisles but must stick to a budget, you could also bring a shopping buddy along to keep you accountable. Or, you can ditch your credit card and only cash into the store. Just make sure the amount of cash keeps you limited to the grocery items on your list (plus taxes).

If you identify as a chronic impulse buyer, the bottom line is that help is available, and you do not have to suffer at the hands of a well-planned grocery store.