Timing matters—especially when it comes to saving money at the grocery store. While many shoppers focus on clipping coupons or using apps, knowing the best day and time to grocery shop can lead to automatic savings with little effort.
Whether you’re looking to snag manager’s specials, shop when shelves are fully stocked, or avoid crowds, this guide breaks down the best times to grocery shop and why they matter.
Midweek shopping often brings the best deals
For many grocery stores, Wednesdays are the sweet spot. It’s when most retailers launch their new weekly ads—and in some cases, it’s also when last week’s deals are still active, creating an overlap that allows for double the discounts.
Retailers like Safeway, Albertsons, and Kroger commonly update their weekly flyers midweek. By shopping on Wednesday mornings, you can often access two sets of sales at once—if your local store honors overlapping ads.
Early mornings offer the best markdowns on fresh foods
If you’re looking for markdowns on meats, baked goods, or perishable produce, your best bet is early morning shopping, typically between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. That’s when store employees apply discounts to items nearing their sell-by dates.
This is especially common at chains like Walmart, where bakery and deli markdowns are made daily. Meat managers also discount items in the early hours to make room for new inventory.
Tip: Always check the clearance bins, end caps, and specially tagged meat and produce sections for “manager’s specials.”
Avoid weekends if you want full shelves and fewer crowds
Saturday and Sunday afternoons are the busiest grocery shopping times of the week. While this may work for convenience, it’s not ideal for savings. High traffic means more competition for discounted items, and by Sunday evening, popular sale items may already be out of stock.
If you need to shop on the weekend, aim for early Saturday morning to beat the rush and access fresher stock.
Use store apps to check when new deals drop
Many stores now offer mobile apps that show their weekly deals, personalized coupons, and reward balances. Signing up for programs like Safeway for U or Albertsons Just for U lets you stay ahead of sale cycles and plan your trip around the newest promotions.
You can also use the store app to identify flash sales, clearance markdowns, and digital-only discounts that may not be advertised in physical flyers.
Combine timing with other savings methods
For maximum value, combine your well-timed grocery trip with other savings strategies. For example, you can earn cashback with a Kroger gift card or get rewards with a Safeway gift card through apps like Fluz. These gift cards can be purchased in real time and applied at checkout for instant cashback.
Explore additional grocery retailers and their gift card rates at the Fluz homepage.
Final thoughts
If you’re shopping for savings, when you shop can be just as important as where or how. By grocery shopping midweek, early in the day, and with a clear plan, you can take advantage of markdowns, restocked shelves, and fresh weekly deals. Combine these habits with rewards programs and digital payment tools for a low-effort, high-reward grocery experience.
