The Most Expensive Day for Grocery Shopping in the U.S. Revealed

In the U.S., the cost of market shopping depends not only on what you buy but also on which day you shop, according to a new study by data research platform Decodo, which found that prices of market products at major retailers peak on Saturdays, while on certain other days the same items can be found at more favorable prices.

1.5 Million Product Prices Examined

Researchers examined roughly 1.5 million products listed for sale on 120 e‑commerce platforms, tracking how their prices fluctuated throughout the week.

The resulting insight suggests that the day of shopping may be even more decisive than previously thought; the study indicates that discounts and price drops concentrate on specific days of the week.

Saturday Is the Most Expensive Day

According to the study, Saturday—one of the days consumers most prefer for shopping—also emerged as the day when prices reach their highest levels.

In contrast, Monday and Wednesday were days when more price advantages were observed. In other words, shifting weekly grocery shopping from the weekend into the week can allow consumers to encounter lower prices on some products.

Digital Price Tags Accelerate Change

Another point that stands out in the study is that price changes are not limited to online shopping. Digital shelf labels (DSL), increasingly common in stores, enable retailers to update prices much more quickly.

Thanks to this system, stores can update product prices electronically instead of changing individual paper tags. Thus, prices can become more dynamic depending on demand, promotions, or the retailer's pricing strategy.

Changing the Shopping Day Makes a Difference

The study's results are particularly striking for consumers who routinely shop on Saturdays. According to the findings, shifting grocery shopping to Monday or Wednesday can increase the likelihood of encountering discounted prices.

In short, for those who want to economize at the market, it is now not only what to buy but also which day to buy that matters.