What Day of the Week Do Grocery Stores Restock? | The Grocery Store Guy (2024)

What Day of the Week Do Grocery Stores Restock? | The Grocery Store Guy (1)

It’s a bit frustrating when you can’t get your favorite products from the store, right? I know the feeling… To make the best of each trip to the store, you’ve probably wondered what day of the week do grocery stores restock?

Here’s what I know from YEARS of stocking shelves:

Large grocery chains restock daily because of the huge volume of business. Restocking is usually done overnight or early morning in order not to disrupt operations. However, many smaller grocery stores that don’t have the sales volume to restock daily may restock on Tuesdays and Fridays.

But unfortunately, there really isn’t a standard most stores follow.

Howver, if you’re going to the big stores, early in the morning is probably the best time to be there, seeing as they would have restocked the night before or that morning.

With the smaller stores, it’s wise to know the day(s) they restock to be there soon after.

In this article, we’ll explore: what stores restock daily, whether Walmart’s shelves are full first thing in the morning, when does Whole Foods restock, and a lot of related questions.

Let’s dive right in…

@smartertrader⁩ Costco – today. Full inventories on virtually all items. Talked to store manager-claimed their daily normal sales is $200k, last 2 days 800k per day. Says they have resources to restock daily if needed pic.twitter.com/04tbTlGEzC

— Scott Segen (@ScottSegen) March 14, 2020

Do busy grocery stores restock daily?

Large grocery stores restock daily because of their high volume of sales. It is always more efficient to go right from the truck to the shelf rather than store excess in the back room. So when possible, stores look to get as many deliveries per week as their distributors allow.

But note that because each grocery chain is different.

So, there are differences in each one’s restocking schedule.But overnight stocking is by far the most efficient way to stock.

Overnight at most grocery stores means no customers. So stockers just focus on stocking; no customer service. Plus, pallets can be wheeled directly where they are needed with no fear of blocking shopping carts.

And the employees can pound energy drinks and listen to loud music to keep them motivated; things that would be frowned upon during the day.

Costco and Walmart are examples of busy grocery stores that restock daily. So, if you couldn’t find a much-needed product, it would most probably be available the day after.

But I understand if you’re not keen on the whole “shopping is fun” notion and only like visiting the grocery store once in a blue moon.

Then, you would probably be better served by buying online.

And, you’d enjoy a recent article of mine where I shared info about how online grocery shopping increased last year.

I covered themes such as what percentage of groceries are bought online, which one’s more popular: pick up or delivery, whether fewer people are shopping at grocery stores now…

Just click the link to read it on my site.

The great and humble people working in my local grocery store to restock shelves and get people supplies are heroes right now. Calm and as normal as possible this morning. I couldn’t sleep thinking of what we needed for a shelter in place order. So grateful. pic.twitter.com/5I4wjMRWd8

— Sassahoochie Coates (@Quarantasia) March 18, 2020

Are Walmart’s shelves full first thing in the morning?

Walmart’s shelves are typically full first thing in the morning because most locations restock overnight. Just bear in mind though that distributors of products usually have at least 5% of their items out of stock, so the shelves will never be 100% full.

But when a particular item would be available varies from product to product. And from store to store. On average, restocking is done every 2 days in smaller, lower-volume stores and every day in busy stores.

This shouldn’t be surprising because of the volume of business Walmart does. Consider that it has a market share of 26% of grocery sales and, in some environments, 90%.

Seeing as most of the restocks are done overnight, it makes sense to expect that items that were out of stock would have been replaced if you are there early in the morning.

You can also get notified by email when certain items are available. But, you must have registered for the service beforehand. The other day, you overheard two people talking about supermarkets and superstores, but you were in a hurry.

Now, you’re wondering if Walmart is a supermarket or a superstore. Not to worry, I’ve got you covered.

In a recent article of mine, I went into some details about their differences. What really surprised me was that 1 small thing makes all the difference between the 2 terms.

Just click the link to read the article on my site.

Whole Foods on 2nd and PCH is also very picked over. An employee said they are out of water, sanitizer and toilet paper and cannot restock until Monday. They will maintain normal business hours. pic.twitter.com/n9REX2eais

— kat schuster (@Coastalkatalyst) March 15, 2020

Do most Whole Foods stores restock in the morning?

Most Whole Foods stores restock in the early morning, around 4 or 5 am. However, the busiest stores in the company restock overnight, starting at approximately 10 pm. In either case, the goal is to be 99% done by the time the store opens.

This may vary slightly from location to location.

In general, though, the busier the store, the higher its volume of transactions, the more likely it would restock daily and overnight. Smaller stores restock about 3-4 times per week to ensure they meet demand.

And for those smaller, lower-volume stores, Tuesdays and Fridays are common days chosen to first replenish from the weekend, and then to stock up for the next weekend.

I want to introduce you to some of our nations finest.They aren’t working from home because WE depend on them.They restock the groceries and supplies we need, they check us in and out, and more importantly they greet us everday with a smile.Thank you to all grocery store workers. pic.twitter.com/XbHaDJpgB3

— Nabil Brent Remadna KXAN (@RemadnaKXAN) April 10, 2020

Are grocery stores often out of stock on Mondays?

The best-run grocery stores are not out of stock on Mondays. They are restocked every day, and replenished throughout the day. Mondays are no exception. However, poorly run grocery stores may sometimes be low on stock on Mondays following a busy weekend.

Best-run grocery stores ensure that they are hardly out of stock on Mondays or any other day for that matter.

It’s a buyer’s market if you will. After all, you have several choices in terms of where to shop, right? So, well-run grocery stores are hip to the patterns and insights revealed by their stock management software.

They know that it’s simply too costly to have customers experience out of stocks.

And while all customers are likely to be forgiving one time. They aren’t going to do that if they repeatedly see the same patterns of products being out of stock.

They’ll go to their competitors. A loss in revenue!

So, the best grocery stores are not out of stock on Mondays, seeing as they are being restocked several times each day. The small items during the day, while the big items and those likely to disrupt operations are restocked at night.

WalMart to close overnight to combat COVID-19 spread, restock producthttps://t.co/cQVVGCThAy pic.twitter.com/OJMueF5J3p

— KATU News (@KATUNews) March 16, 2020

What is the best day to shop at Walmart?

Any day of the week is good to shop at Walmart in terms of the fullness of the shelves. But the least busy days to shop are Tues, Wed, and Thurs, and the least busy times are right at opening and after 8 pm.

Below are some of the advice from some Walmart employees.

Note that it’s subject to change. If you don’t like shopping when there’s a huge crowd (who does?), it’s best to be there before lunch. If you want non-perishable food and toilet paper, it’s best to be there as soon as the store opens.

Any day of the week, early in the day, is good. Say around 8 am.

The meat from the previous day goes on sale at this time! In effect, early in the morning on any weekday would be okay, seeing as Walmart’s overnight crew had been cleaning and restocking during the night.

If you want to narrow down your choices, I’d say go on Wednesday morning.

As you probably know, the weekends are the least ideal times since this is when most people are free to shop and shop.

How do you effectively navigate the different sections of a grocery store?

I crafted a guide for you in a recent article of mine. Have you always wondered whether grocery stores are designed to make you walk a certain way? Check out the article for the answer and a lot more from a 20-year veteran.

Just click the link to read the article on my site.

Conclusion

It can be frustrating when you can get what you want from your local store. In this article, we looked at issues around the restocking schedules of grocery stores.

We learned that the top dogs often restock daily. At times, twice daily. Think Whole Foods, Walmart…

And, we learned that small stores may replenish their stock twice a week. It makes sense. The volume of transactions and in-store traffic are key variables.

Do busy grocery stores restock daily, are Walmart’s shelves full first thing in the morning, do most whole foods restock in the morning…and similar themes were explored.

We even found out the best day to shop.

What Day of the Week Do Grocery Stores Restock? | The Grocery Store Guy (2024)

FAQs

What day is best to go to grocery store? ›

The cheapest day to shop for groceries

While specific days of the week are best for saving on specific items, the best overall shopping days are Wednesday and Thursday. Bread and beer are typically marked down on Wednesdays, and snacks are often cheapest on Thursdays, according to shopping experts.

What time do supermarkets restock? ›

It depends on the store. Many have night crews that work overnights, like 10 PM- 7 am. Most stores have part time help during day to fill in stock here and there as well as sale items. Grocery stores usually restock late at night and overnight into the wee hours after most of the customers have gone home.

What is the biggest grocery shopping day of the week? ›

For years, Sunday has been the king of all grocery shopping days: the day when Americans prepared for the week ahead, made the highest number of trips to the store and spent the most. On a typical week, Saturday was the second choice for shopping days, while Friday was the third.

Do stores restock in the morning? ›

Although stores have varying times for restocking, most replenish their shelves early in the morning or overnight to avoid disrupting shoppers.

What is the slowest day of the week for grocery shopping? ›

6. Avoid weekends: Without a doubt, weekends are the busiest days to shop, with Saturday leading the list. Mondays and Tuesdays are the least busy but stores may be out of a lot of items, especially if sales start on Wednesday.

What day is slowest at grocery stores? ›

What day is slowest at grocery stores? Avoid weekends: Without a doubt, weekends are the busiest days to shop, with Saturday leading the list. Mondays and Tuesdays are the least busy but stores may be out of a lot of items, especially if sales start on Wednesday.

What grocery items will be in short supply? ›

Canned foods, pet food and beer may be in short supply due to a widespread aluminum shortage. Lettuce crops and orange groves were affected by plant viruses. One major producer of lettuce lost 80% of their crop in 2022.

What day of the week is best to buy fresh meat? ›

Best Day to Grocery Shop for the Best Quality Meat, Dairy and Seafood. Another plus of shopping on Wednesdays is that the meat, dairy and seafood section should be newly restocked with fresh picks.

What day does Walmart grocery restock? ›

What Day of the Week Does Walmart Restock? Walmart does not have a strict schedule for restocking, but you can expect to see most products replenished every three to five days. The store also receives new stocks of fresh produce and fast-moving items daily to keep up with customer demands.

What is the top selling grocery store? ›

The FoodIndustry.Com list of the top 10 grocery chains in the US by revenue – 2021. 1. WALMART INC. Walmart once again top our list for the leader in grocery sales (it accounted for more than one-quarter of all grocery revenues in the United States) with FY2022 sales of $467 billion.

What day does Kroger restock? ›

Kroger restocks its products every day alongside its brands such as King Soopers, Baker's, Smith's, and Ralphs. Kroger restocks every day, mainly during the early hours of the day or overnight. Bread, dairy, and meat are restocked overnight at 3 am EST, while grocery products are restocked early at 8 am EST.

Do stores restock at midnight? ›

Most stores restock general merchandise between midnight and 6am, but the best way to find out when specific items or types of items will be restocked is by contacting your local Target store.

Does Aldi restock everyday? ›

When does ALDI restock? Our fresh produce is delivered daily, and each week we release a new selection of ALDI Finds, which are limited-time, specialty products ranging from unique foods and home goods to unexpected items like gardening essentials and pet accessories.

Is it better to grocery shop at night? ›

Generally, one of the best times of day to shop for groceries is mid- to late-morning, as you're most likely to be well-fed, awake, and clear-minded. If you head to work early each day, weekend mornings are still a good time to shop, but head there early before the midday crowds hit.

What are the biggest shortages in the grocery stores? ›

What Are Stores Running Short On?
  1. Chickpeas. We love our hummus, but according to Reuters, we might see a drop in the supply of chickpeas soon. ...
  2. Wheat. ...
  3. Sugar. ...
  4. Avocados. ...
  5. Paper Goods. ...
  6. Canned Goods. ...
  7. Eggs and Meat. ...
  8. Pet Food.
Feb 7, 2023

Are groceries cheaper at night? ›

Each supermarket chain will reduce their bargains at different times, but it stands to reason that the best discounts will usually be found later in the day for things like bakery goods, meat, and produce that have limited shelf life.

What food will be short in 2023? ›

These Foods Will Be In Short Supply In 2023, So Stock Up Now (Or Find Alternatives)
  • Corn. Historically, Ukraine has been one of the world's leading providers of corn, but that's all changed since Russia's invasion — which has no end in sight. ...
  • Bread. ...
  • Vegetable Oil. ...
  • Baby Formula. ...
  • Champagne. ...
  • Canned Pet Food.
3 days ago

What food to stockpile for 2023? ›

These food items are packed with protein and will keep for a long period of time.
  • Peanut Butter.
  • Canned Tuna.
  • Canned Meats.
  • Beef Jerky.
  • Beans.

Will there be a shortage of food in 2022? ›

There have been several food shortages in 2022, with several factors influencing the scarcities in the global food supply chain. While any one of these problems could be cause for concern, all of them together add up to the likelihood of further food shortages coming down the line.

What days are no meat? ›

United States
  • On Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays of Lent: Everyone of age 14 and up must abstain from consuming meat.
  • On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday: Everyone of age 18 to 59 must fast, unless exempt due to usually a medical reason.

Why are meat free Mondays good? ›

Looking to add Meatless Monday to your meal plan? Limiting the amount of meat you eat per week may reduce your chance of chronic conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. Eating a lot of red or processed meats is linked to a higher risk of developing certain cancers.

How do you know if meat is good in a grocery store? ›

3 Tips for Buying Meat

Beef should be bright red in color — after all, it is red meat. Avoid any beef that has brown spots, since this is a sign of improper storage or spoiled meat. Even though pork is known as “the other white meat,” it also should have a pinkish-red hue. Pale pork is poor pork.

What is the best day to shop for groceries at Walmart? ›

If you can't get to Walmart between 7 and 11 a.m. or so, on the weekdays, plan to shop early in the morning on the weekends. As some people prefer to sleep in on weekend mornings, you can buzz through the store on a mission to get in and out before the crowds gather.

Why are so many shelves in Walmart empty? ›

Previously, people blamed COVID-19 panic buyers for emptying store shelves because they stripped stores clean of essentials like toilet paper and water bottles. However, the current empty shelf crisis comes from suppliers that can't keep up with demand due to lower production, shipping delays and labor shortages.

What is the best time of day to go to Walmart? ›

Early weekday mornings.

"If you can visit your local Walmart right when it opens in the morning, or at least shortly thereafter, you should be able to get a smoother shopping experience," explains Ramhold, since shelves are restocked overnight.

What is the number 1 grocery store in America? ›

America's Top 3 Grocery Stores Ranked by Consumers
  • Aldi. At the end of 2022, Aldi was the number one grocery store among all U.S. adults, with a popularity score of 65%. ...
  • Trader Joe's. Trader Joe's, renowned for its loyal fanbase, came in as a close second overall with a popularity score of 63%. ...
  • Kroger.
Jan 30, 2023

What is the number 1 selling food in the world? ›

Pizza is the topmost liked food in the world. Today you can find pizza in almost every corner of the world.

What is the most purchased food in America? ›

America's Favorite Fast Food
RankFood CategoryCategory Cumulative Sales
#1Burger$92.2 billion
#2Snack$42.5 billion
#3Chicken$36.7 billion
#4Global$27.0 billion
2 more rows
Aug 31, 2022

What day does Kroger mark down their meat? ›

Most Kroger and affiliate retailers mark their meat down on or near the “best by” date. Mine does this around 9 a.m. daily, so ask your local store what time is best to get the freshest discounts. Meat freezes well, so it's worth looking even if you don't need it right away.

Why are grocery stores not fully stocked? ›

Labor shortages

“If there's nobody stocking the trucks, the items don't get to the store. Dealing with a lot less people, a smaller labor pool, to get things to the store, the consumers are not going to see as many things stocked on the shelves.”

Where does Kroger get their meat from? ›

Meat is sourced locally from farms and livestock auctions, and now Phillips' products can be found in Kroger. The company's high-quality freshness guarantee is possible in Ohio because of the state's diverse concentration of food stakeholders, from farmers to retailers.

Does Target restock every morning? ›

The majority of Target locations restock their inventory between 12 am and 6 am because the stores are (obviously) closed. This makes it easier for workers to stock shelves more efficiently without the constant interruption from busy shoppers.

What does in store restock mean? ›

If you restock something such as a shelf, refrigerator, or store, you fill it with food or other goods to replace what you have used or sold.

Does Aldi do overnight stockers? ›

$15. The estimated total pay for a Overnight Stocker at ALDI is $15 per hour.

How hard is it to be a stocker at Aldis? ›

I've worked at a lot of places. Although, this job at Aldis was BY FAR the most demanding job I've ever had. This job requires physical strength, as well as mental strength. Every task you're assigned is timed, and in a lot of cases, i was asked to stay past my shift (and availability) to stay and finish the work.

What is the best day to buy produce at Aldi? ›

Shop on Wednesday for the best deals.

To score the best deals on Aldi's products, visit the store mid-week. On Wednesdays, new products are released and produce goes on sale. But make sure you head there in the morning so you can grab all of your groceries before anyone else.

How often do supermarkets do inventory? ›

Some do a physical count monthly, and some annually. But most do it quarterly or even monthly. Essentially the difference in the 2 numbers is a loss of profit, hopefully small.

Do stores check inventory every day? ›

Physical inventory counts are prohibitively time-consuming and, as a result, most retailers only do them once a year.

Do grocery stores use just in time inventory? ›

All resources (human, material, space, and time) are used to create the highest-quality product while cutting down costs. Retailers use inventory management which is a form of JIT. When you go into a supermarket, there is an unbelievable amount of choice, but only a few of each item.

Why many grocery shelves are empty? ›

Suppliers are not able to produce enough products due to plant closures. The logistics industry is not able to move inventory freely and timely around the globe primarily due to port jams, shortage of truckers and lack of warehouse workers.

What is the number 1 seller at Walmart? ›

Bananas are regularly Walmart's best-selling item.

Overall, the company sells over 1.5 billion pounds of bananas each year, making it one of the largest banana vendors in the world. Others among the company's top ten best selling include: Toilet Paper (330 million rolls each week) Slow Cookers.

What is the day shift at Walmart? ›

Overnight associates will be offered the opportunity to transition into a Merchandising position as a part of the Merchandise Services work group. Full-time associates will be given two shift options: Morning Shift: 4 am – 12:30 pm. Evening Shift: 3 pm – 11:30 pm.

What day does Walmart lower prices? ›

Most Walmart clearance markdowns happen within the first five days of the month. If you want to be the first to score clearance deals at Walmart, prepare to head there during the first five days of the month. That's when the most markdowns and the widest selection of clearance happens.

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