I Tried the “Outside in” Method and I’ll Never Grocery Shop Any Other Way

When you get down to it, there are two kinds of grocery shoppers: missionaries and mercenaries. Missionaries float from aisle to aisle, discovering new items and letting inspiration lead them to a full cart — they might not even enter the store with a list. Meanwhile, mercenaries are all business. They clutch their grocery list like a pilot with a flight plan, moving their cart swiftly through the store with great agility, rarely adding unlisted items to the haul.

I proudly identify as a mercenary shopper, and even go as far as to build my grocery list based on the layout of the store for extra efficiency. So when I found out that a grocery expert recommends shopping the perimeter first, I was both intrigued and skeptical. 

The core purpose of the tip is to allow the fresh produce, meat, and seafood in the perimeter aisles to inspire smarter choices about packaged goods often found in the center aisles of the store. Playing fast and loose with my grocery list is typically a no-no for mercenary shoppers like me, but it was also an opportunity to improve the overall efficiency of my weekly grocery haul. So I dove in head-first, and the results were not what I expected. 

While it was a bit jarring to step outside of my usual grocery routine, I can’t deny that this is the superior way to shop for optimal freshness. There’s nothing worse than having all your meals planned out in your head based on what you expect will be available, then finding out the haddock or chuck roast or pork loin you need is sold out — or, worse, it doesn’t look all that fresh. 

When you go the perimeter-first route, you can get a full picture of what’s available and continue to build your cart accordingly. This works whether you identify as a mercenary shopper or a missionary. For laser-focused shoppers like me, the outside-in method lessens the likelihood you’ll have to put items back and pivot when your desired produce is out of stock. Missionaries can just as easily draw inspiration from the freshest items and allow shelf-stable or frozen additions to flow from there.

Most grocery store perimeters start with fruits and veggies, then display meat and fish, followed by dairy and eggs on the far end. There are modifications that can be made based on dietary requirements for optimal success no matter what kind of diet you follow. 

Mercenaries like me might need a few trips to get used to this approach, but it’s worth it. You’ll end up saving money on your groceries, not to mention time, when you let the freshest and most affordable items drive your choices on shopping day.

• Tailor the route to your dietary needs. Veggie-forward eaters start with produce; omnivores should begin with the dairy or meat and fish section.
• If you shop with a detailed list, consider having backups. This way you can quickly pivot the meals you’re planning if your first choice is out of stock or less than fresh.
• Don’t forget about frozen and canned items! There are some frozen or canned fruits and veggies (and some frozen meats) that can easily be swapped in if not available fresh. One ingredient doesn’t have to derail your meal plan for the week.

Do you have a smart grocery shopping tip that helps you save money? Tell us about it in the comments.