Most of us want to spend less time in the grocery store not more. The grab-it-and-go mantra runs through our minds when we’re in a hurry—especially during peak hours. The urge to get in and out in record time is a reason to leave home with a list or a photo of what’s in your fridge. Figure out exactly what you need and find it. But if the store is packed you may be at a standstill when it’s time to pay. One final make-or-break decision stands between you and the parking lot: Which checkout lane should you choose?
| Channel | Publish Date | Thumbnail & View Count | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
 WCVB Channel 5 Boston | 2019-02-15 19:19:05 |  328 Views |
Supermarket prices are expected to rise through 2019
There are many ways to get through this latest madness in time. You can look for a line with more baskets than two-tiered carts or opt for the checkout line where the cashier is already handing someone a receipt. If you’re not alone in the grocery store you can even game the system by having your shopping partner pick a lane each to hedge your bets. But if you’re only buying a few things you’ll probably head straight for the express lane—but that could be a mistake.
While express supermarket checkouts limit the number of items each customer can have whether it’s 15 or 20 that rule doesn’t guarantee the line will move any faster. Instead delays at supermarket checkouts have more to do with the number of people ahead of you than how many items each person buys.
When you’re in a hurry at the grocery store there’s nothing more terrifying than the person in front of you pulling out a checkbook to pay. You can try to predict who’s going to be a little late but people are unpredictable. Even if you’re paying attention it’s impossible to know for sure who’s pulling out a stack of coupons trying to make small talk or just wanting to have their ID checked. The so-called “tender time” actions of each customer add seconds to the checkout process. And those seconds add up. So when it comes to judging grocery store checkout lines it pays to err on the side of caution: how long it will take the cashier to check out each item.
