What is the unifying human experience? Love? Hate? Existential Fear? No, it’s grocery shopping. That being said, the grocery experience isn’t the same for everyone. People shop at different times, for different amounts of time, and tackle navigating stores in different ways. Bringing it back to philosophy, much like how we are on the hunt for the “right” way to live, is there a “right” way to grocery shop?
Our parent company, Mythical, has pursued this question, presenting its audience with a survey asking how people grocery shop in the hopes of figuring out once and for all what the proper way to grocery shop is. With over 17,000 responses we discovered a variety of patterns in the ways people shop, some split, some overwhelmingly one-sided, and some quite shocking. Read on for the findings and discover if you shop like everyone else.
- Most people get their shopping done in under an hour
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With 61.3% of our respondents saying they spend 30 minutes to an hour shopping it seems like the average person isn’t looking to buy and bounce, but they definitely aren’t looking to have their day consumed by the grocery store. Still, some do want to grab groceries so quickly they forget it even happened, with 30.1% of respondents saying they spend under 30 minutes in the grocery store. On the flip, only 8.5% of respondents said they spend 1-2 hours in the store, with just barely 0.01% declaring they spend three or more hours in the grocery store. Over three hours in the grocery store….what a feat to accomplish and live to tell the tale.
- Most people grocery shop before or at the start of the workweek
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Truth be told, people are pretty split on the best day for grocery shopping. The only group to break above a 20% preference were the 24.9% of people who believe it is best to shop on a Sunday. On the other hand, our lowest percentages came from the end of the workweek, as only 7.9% of shoppers believe it is best to grocery shop on Friday and only 9% believe it’s best to shop on a Thursday. After Sunday, the next preferred day is Tuesday by 17.4% of respondents and Monday after that from 16% of respondents. From there, 12.8% prefer Saturday and 12% prefer Wednesday for grocery shopping.
- Most people shop in the morning
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According to our respondents the average person enjoys rising and shining in their local grocery store. With 49.9% of people saying the best time to shop is the morning and the other half split between 27.6% who believe the afternoon is the best time to shop and 22.4% who believe night is the best time to shop, it seems like the early bird gets the worm and the best grocery experience.
- Most people shop alone
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This was a bit of a closer debate, but in the end our lone wolf respondents won out with 53.7% of respondents saying it’s better to shop alone. Still, with 46.3% saying it’s better to shop with someone, there’s plenty of companion-seeking people to grocery shop with, should you want a little company in the freezer aisle.
- Most people start shopping in the produce section
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As someone who has no plan whatsoever when grocery shopping, I was astounded to find a whopping 71.3% believe you should start shopping in the produce section. The next largest group are closer to my heart, this being the 16.7% who insist on winging the grocery shopping strategy every time. There were a few stragglers who had different starting sections in mind, with 9.8% insisting on starting in the snack section and 2.1% advocating for starting in the frozen section.
- Most people bring a grocery list
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Our respondents also had strong feelings about grocery lists: Apparently, you gotta have one! According to responses, 71.1% of people believe a grocery list is necessary, while the other 28.9% feel a grocery list isn’t required for a good grocery run. I guess it’s time to be adults and forgo the spontaneous rendezvous down the chip aisle for the sake of order and mature spending habits. Sighhh.
- Most people do NOT have a set grocery budget
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While people seem to advocate responsible habits in terms of prepping a grocery list, it seems like making a budget is just a step too far in grocery prep. An overwhelming 76.9% of people said they shop without a “do not exceed” budget. As for the 23.1% of people who do shop with a budget, I salute you. You bear the hallmark of a perfect grocery shopper.
- Most people compare prices across different brands before buying
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In this economy, I’m happy to say the majority of our respondents work to be price-conscious consumers, with 79.4% saying they do in fact compare prices across different brands before buying. For that 20.6% who neglect the price comparison, I’d say it’s time to get on that, especially when so many name brands and generic brands come from the same factories.
- Most people bring reusable grocery bags
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It seems people have adapted to grocery store totes and disposable bag fees, as 61.8% of our respondents bring their own reusable bags to the grocery store. There’s still 38.2% of people who are sticking to tradition and using the paper or plastic bags found in-store.
- Most people do NOT eat something off the shelf, EVEN if they pay for it at checkout
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Hoo boy, does this question bring me flashbacks to childhood grocery runs. I have to assume the 65.3% who are adamantly against eating something from the store before checking it out also have experienced immense anxiety watching a parent grab a soda or bag of chips off the shelves, crack it open and go to town, while your small self waits for the SWAT team to arrest you. And I also have to assume that the 34.7% who feel like it is okay to eat something off the shelf before paying are just all of my dad’s friends. Dad, I know it’s you responding to these surveys. Please, for the love of god just wait to pay!
- Most people believe you should keep items at the express line to no more than 1-2 above the limit
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I’m proud to report the majority of our respondents are (semi) law-abiding citizens who understand the balance of a little leeway. With 49.9% of people saying no more than 1-2 items above the express limit is acceptable and 28% of people saying people should not have any more than the limit, it seems the average person believes in at least somewhat sticking to the rules of the express lane so it can stay an express lane. There was 17.4% who gave even more leeway by saying 3-5 items over the limit is acceptable, and an even smaller 4.7% who felt 5-6 items over the limit was acceptable. I choose to believe these aren’t people looking to bring 5 items over the limit, and instead happen to be people with patience and kindness in their hearts.
- Most people take samples when offered at the grocery store
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Surprise surprise: 70.1% of our respondents said they DO take a sample when offered one at a grocery store. I mean, if it’s being offered, would it not be rude to say no? Never mind the 29.9% who won’t take a sample, that just leaves more for us sample enjoyers!
- Most people do NOT take a single grape from a bag and eat it
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61.8% of respondents said they have never taken a single grape from a bag and eaten it. And I am part of that 61.8%. To you grape taking 38.2%, stop it! What a cruel act to separate a grape from its family…
Usually, I never comment on blogs, but your article is so convincing that I am unable to stop myself from doing something about it. You’re doing a great job Man, Keep it up.