When I had only small children, I loved going to the grocery store. My kids walked along-side me and asked me what they could do to help. They didn’t ask for anything. They helped me read labels. They helped me calculate the cost of all of my groceries. They helped me sort the groceries in my cart so that they were in sections – refrigerator food, freezer food, canned food, etc. I had one child in charge of coupons and that child would move the appropriate coupons to the “Use these at checkout” envelope.

Oh gosh. I just loved grocery shopping!

Of course it only happened that way while I was sleeping… That sort of shopping trip is only a dream away – right?

Let’s get real.

About 10 years ago… when I had 5 young children, I hated grocery shopping! It was ridiculous heading to the store with all 5 children and felt counter-productive. I think I spent 25% of the time scolding the children for trying to get stuff off of the shelves (this was best done by whispering threats in their ears), 25% of the time putting the children in and pulling them out of the cart (they are such moody little creatures!), 25% of the time bribing them to stop crying, 10% of the time in the bathroom stall nursing a baby to keep them calm for another 20 minutes (and the other children either waiting right outside the stall or in the stall with me), 10% of the time chasing the “wild one” down aisle, and 5% of the time crying.

Occasionally I would leave the kids with Kyle and go in the evening, but as a busy mom, I was often too tired in the evenings to leave the house. So, in my spare time, I daydreamed about ways to make grocery shopping easier. My favorite idea I actually even shared with a grocery chain – I believe it may have been Dillons/Kroger. They thanked me and said they’d pass the idea along.

I can’t believe this hasn’t been done yet. I STILL think it’s a great idea and am just waiting for someone to implement it. I don’t NEED it so much anymore. I have older children who can watch children while I leave, but since I don’t like grocery shopping, I still think it would be the coolest thing.

So… here it is.

1. Big grocery warehouse – only for stocking not for customers to shop in, therefore it can be plain, no fancies. This will cut costs and make for good prices.
2. Online Grocery store of every item in the warehouse – varied brands, prices, sales, etc. These would be categorized by section, just like at a grocery store and would include fresh produce. (They would advertise sales on their website.)
3. You shop online checking the box next to the item you want, put quantity and then check another box if you have a coupon.
4. They ask you if you need certain items to go along with the ones you checked (good for them as it allows for impulse buying – good for you as it reminds you if you forgot something that would normally go along with the other thing – bad for you as it allows you to impulse buy, ha!)
5. You reserve your order with a credit card.
6. You schedule a time to pick it up.
7. They confirm your order and tell you if they are out of anything – if you want to replace with something else – etc.
8. They gather all of your items and then store your bags of refrigerated items in the cooler and your other bags – with your order/name on all bags.
9. You show up with your coupons. They make sure your coupons are all valid – then you pay.
10.They load your car with your groceries.
11.You cry tears of gratefulness as you drive away.

Now seriously. You can order just about anything online. Why not ALL YOUR groceries?

I know some mommies like to grocery shop alone at night just so they can refresh themselves – but just imagine if you could grocery shop by using this method and go to Starbucks with a book for some refreshment? Makes much more sense to me!

If you think this is a good idea – share this post – and you never know, maybe somebody (with money) will decide it’s a good idea and it will have all started here – with US!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...