I’m usually at my local grocery store at least every other day, so I don’t use lists much. I’ve gotten into the habit of going so frequently because fresh stuff doesn’t last long, so I shy away from the once-a-week stock ups that some do. It’s easier for me, but these days I’m not cooking for a big family.
Recently, my local Kroger did some renovations, and the result is great. It’s more open and updated, but most everything is essentially in the same place. In fact, though I’ve never been to your grocery store, I’ll bet I can tell you how it’s laid out, because most grocery stores are laid out the same. Ever thought about why?
Let’s see how accurate I am.
When you walk in, you’re either walking into the floral, bakery, deli, or produce section. Follow the outer walls and you’ll come to the butcher, packaged meats, the dairy—starting with cheese and ending with milk and eggs—and by now you are in the farthest part of the store from where you entered. Finishing your tour of the outer rim of the market, you glide past the frozen foods, possibly the wine racks, pharmacy, cards, and seasonal promotional items. From there you have to get by a Starbucks, if you’re in my store, before you get to the checkout lanes. Of course it’s different if you’re in a Super Walmart or Super Target or stores like that. But the principles are the same. Was I close?
When you enter, they want to engage your senses, from the smell of the flowers, or the bakery, or the deli, to the colorful fruits and vegetables of the produce aisle. None of this is coincidence. Markets pay big money for this kind of research.
Also notice that most all of the processed foods are in the aisles at the center of the store. If you are just there for some milk, you’re going to have to run the gauntlet, buddy!
Of course there are other tactics. The most expensive wines are usually eye level and the Two-Buck-Chuck’s are on the bottom shelf. The sugary cereals that appeal to kids are—you guessed it—at kid’s eye level whereas the more “healthy” cereals are at your eye level or above.
Companies pay big money to have their products displayed on end caps because you’re a lot more likely to see, and buy, something from those areas.
Personally, I don’t mind the schemes. Grocery stores are a business trying to make a profit just like anyone else, but it is helpful to know what’s going on. Keep that in mind the next time you go shopping when you’re hungry and avoid the snack aisle.
So how do you use this to your advantage? Here are 3 tips to get you shopping like a boss.
#1. Enjoy the experience.
I don’t know about you, but I love seeing oranges stacked neatly. For we who love to cook, visits to the grocery store are like visits to the mall. I always check the asparagus and the shallots. Asparagus is always on the menu if my store has good ones. I like the thick ones that stand straight, the crown packed tight, because I peel the stalks and saute them in butter. I can’t get enough of them! My store seems to have trouble getting good shallots, and I use shallots quite a bit for sauces, so when I see the good ones, I get them.
The point I’m trying to make is that if you go regularly, you can get into the grocery rhythm and then notice things that you didn’t before. You may find that some produce that’s out of season comes from Mexico and looks and taste differently than when in season and coming from California, so you plan accordingly. From time to time, you may get little pleasant surprises like a different varietal of herb pops up on the shelf and sparks your cooking imagination. Enjoy it!
#2. Chat up the butcher.
Since I live in a large metroplex, I can always find a standalone butcher. We have plenty of good ones, but I use those on special occasions generally. Getting to know your supermarket butchers is great because not only are they usually great people, but if they like you, they may reserve some of the better bones for you to use in stock, or they can let you know when the next shipment of prime beef is coming. More than once has my guy disappeared in the back, only to come out with a cut of meat not on display.
And you know, a lot of the prepackaged meats in the case are cuts that were previously on display and not sold. You can find really good cuts at a significant discount if you time it right. In the same vein, I recommend steering clear of the pre-marinated cuts in the display. Sometimes they are inferior. Best get the cuts you want and marinate them yourself.
#3 Know the Store’s Delivery Schedule
If you want the best, freshest pick of produce, you’ll want to go when the trucks get there, which is generally early morning, or close to closing, and not in the middle of the day. Sunday afternoons are probably the worst, since you’re fighting the crowds and sorting through picked over cabbage. Most any store associate can tell you the schedule.
Bonus Tip
Grab produce from the back of the shelf. New inventory is always stocked behind older (you probably already do this with milk).
Props to Jamie Logie for his excellent article: https://www.regainedwellness.com/supermarket-psychology/ and to Lauren Rearick for hers: https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/secret-grocery-shopping-tips/
