When it comes to saving money on groceries, timing can be everything. Sure, we all know about using coupons or sticking to a grocery list, but have you ever thought about the actual days and times you’re shopping? Believe it or not, stores have specific times when they offer deep discounts, especially on perishable items like meat, dairy, and produce. Knowing when to hit the store can make a world of difference in your overall grocery bill, and who doesn’t love getting the most bang for their buck?
Let’s dive into some of the best days and times to shop for grocery discounts so that you can start maximizing your savings each week. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a midweek shopper, there are plenty of opportunities to save if you know when to look.
Midweek Shopping: Tuesday and Wednesday are Prime Time
If you’ve been shopping on the weekends, you might want to reconsider your grocery schedule. Tuesday and Wednesday are often the best days to find markdowns. Why? Because many grocery stores receive their shipments earlier in the week, and by midweek, they’re looking to clear out older stock to make room for new deliveries. This is especially true for items like produce, baked goods, and deli products.
On Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, many stores will start marking down these perishable items, and you’ll often find 50% off deals on bread, pastries, and fresh fruits and vegetables. If you’re not too picky about getting everything perfectly fresh, this is a great way to save on items that are still perfectly good but might be nearing their sell-by date.
And it’s not just fresh items. Packaged goods also go on sale midweek as stores begin to clear their shelves for newer stock. Look out for “Manager’s Specials” or clearance sections, which can sometimes have huge markdowns on everything from snacks to cleaning supplies.
Early Birds Get the Discounts
For those of you who can manage an early morning grocery run, shopping right when the store opens can unlock even more savings. Many stores mark down items first thing in the morning, especially meats and dairy products. These are often items that didn’t sell the previous day and are approaching their sell-by dates.
The discounts on meat can be especially significant. You might find markdowns as high as 30-50% off on steaks, chicken, and ground beef, simply because they need to be sold quickly. If you’re able to freeze these items or use them within a day or two, it’s an excellent way to stock up without paying full price.
Likewise, early morning is when you’ll also find baked goods on sale. Many stores prepare fresh bread, bagels, and pastries overnight, and the items from the day before often get discounted to make room for the new batch. You might even score a few baked items for free if your store offers “buy one, get one” deals for older products.
End of Day Discounts for Night Owls
On the flip side, if you’re not a morning person, don’t worry—you can still score great deals by shopping at the end of the day. Many stores mark down items that they don’t want sitting overnight, especially in the prepared foods section. If you’re someone who enjoys grabbing a quick rotisserie chicken or a pre-made meal, showing up an hour or two before the store closes can lead to big discounts on these items.
Grocery stores hate wasting food, and rather than throw it away, they often slash prices to encourage last-minute shoppers to take it off their hands. While these deals aren’t as widely advertised as the early morning markdowns, it pays to ask a store employee what happens to the unsold deli or bakery items at the end of the day.
Know Your Store’s Discount Days
Many major grocery chains have specific discount days that savvy shoppers can take advantage of. For example, some stores offer Senior Discount Days, typically on Wednesdays, where shoppers over a certain age can get an additional 10-15% off their entire purchase. Even if you’re not eligible for the senior discount, it’s worth noting that stores often sync up other promotions and markdowns with these discount days.
If your store has a loyalty program, be sure to sign up. Not only will you get access to exclusive deals and digital coupons, but many stores offer additional discounts on certain days for loyalty program members. For instance, some stores might offer double points on purchases made on specific weekdays, meaning you’re racking up rewards faster.
Weekend Warriors: Best Times to Shop on Saturdays and Sundays
Let’s face it, sometimes the weekend is the only time we can make it to the store. While weekends can be busier and the shelves might not be as freshly stocked as during the week, there are still ways to score deals if you know where to look.
Saturday and Sunday mornings, particularly right when the store opens, can be good times to shop if you’re hunting for clearance items from the previous week. As mentioned earlier, stores are constantly rotating stock, and by the weekend, they’re often slashing prices on items that didn’t sell during the week. Meat, dairy, and produce markdowns are still prevalent, and you might find deep discounts on bulk items that the store is looking to move.
If you’re someone who likes to use coupons, weekends can be an especially good time to shop. Many stores double coupons on Saturdays, which can lead to major savings when paired with sales and discounts.
Timing Your Shopping Around Holidays
Holidays are another key time to pay attention to grocery discounts, but it’s all about timing. Leading up to major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or the 4th of July, stores will often have sales on holiday staples, like turkeys, stuffing, and BBQ essentials. However, if you wait until after the holiday, that’s when the real discounts come into play.
Once the holiday rush is over, stores are eager to get rid of any leftover seasonal items, and you can find 50-75% off deals on things like canned goods, frozen items, and even paper products with holiday packaging. If you’re able to shop just after a holiday, you can stock up on items that you’ll use year-round at a fraction of the cost.
Similarly, stores often have massive markdowns on non-perishable items right after holidays like Easter or Halloween. Candy, snacks, and baking supplies that didn’t sell during the holiday can be had for pennies on the dollar.
Using Technology to Time Your Shopping
In today’s digital age, there’s no reason not to use technology to your advantage when it comes to grocery shopping. Many stores now have apps that allow you to see weekly ads, special promotions, and flash sales. Signing up for your store’s app or email newsletter can give you a heads-up on the best times to shop.
Additionally, there are apps like Ibotta, Flipp, and Checkout 51 that offer cashback and coupon matching for your grocery purchases. These apps will notify you when your favorite items go on sale and help you compare prices across different stores in your area. Using these tools, you can plan your shopping trips around the times when you’re most likely to score deals.
Another tip is to follow your favorite grocery stores on social media. Many stores now post about last-minute markdowns, flash sales, and special discounts exclusively on their social channels. A quick check on Instagram or Twitter before heading to the store could alert you to savings opportunities you might have otherwise missed.
Plan Around Store Restocking Days
Another secret to scoring grocery discounts is knowing when your store restocks its shelves. Typically, most grocery stores restock on Mondays or Tuesdays after the weekend rush. This means that by midweek, they’re eager to clear out older products and make room for new ones. As a result, Wednesday is often the golden day for finding markdowns, particularly on items that are nearing their sell-by date but are still perfectly good to eat.
Even if you’re shopping on a different day, it’s worth asking a store employee when certain items, like produce or meat, are restocked. Timing your shopping trips around restocking schedules can help you get the freshest items at discounted prices.
Grocery shopping doesn’t have to be a financial burden if you know when and how to find the best deals. By adjusting the days and times you hit the store, taking advantage of store-specific discounts, and using technology to stay informed, you can easily shave a significant amount off your weekly grocery bill. Knowing when to shop—whether it’s midweek, early morning, or late at night—can make all the difference in stretching your dollars further.