Tips for how to avoid queuing at supermarkets?

Chomeur · 6 April at 8:47PM

I hate queuing so much but even more so now that there's a risk of transmitting the virus, even if everyone does stand two metres apart. The queues outside supermarkets seem to be up to about half an hour now, and then you may have to queue up again to pay. So any suggestions for how to avoid queuing? Are the queues shorter last thing at night? I suppose there are small corner stores but I'm not that keen on them. Or maybe if I cycle to somewhere on Oxford St there might be fewer customers, since it's not really a residential area? It's not too far from where I live.
Thanks for any advice.

Browntoa · 6 April at 8:50PM

Early morning or late at night , I've never queued more than 10 minutes

comeandgo · 6 April at 8:51PM

Get your items delivered, get someone else to do your shopping, join NHS, my daughter is front line nurse and can jump the queues, shop at your local small grocers.

flashg67 · 6 April at 10:37PM

Click & collect (if you can a slot), try other sources, eg near me, a local catering supplier has opened up a click & collect for the public

mark55man · 6 April at 11:16PM

later rather than earlier - be happy to go back if queues are big, choose your supermarket after asking aorund your friends, check local FB groups they sometimes have news about queues (although these tend to get followed up quickly)

Sharon87 · 7 April at 12:45AM

Avoid weekends, go during the day weekdays if possible, but not at lunch, early morning (outside of the special opening hours) is probably best. I've never had to queue for my supermarket yet as I avoid weekends, I haven't been to the large Tesco half a mile away, I imagine those queues are a bit bigger, but the smallish Sainsburys (about 10 aisles) never had a queue when I've been.

I guess it all depends on your area as well.

roddydogs · 7 April at 7:24AM

7pm no queue.

Cornucopia · 7 April at 8:31AM

It can be as simple as trying different shops. Yesterday afternoon where I live: Asda, huge queue (all the way from the front of the store to the back of the car park); Morrisons, no queue; Sainsbury's, short, well-managed queue; Lidl: very short queue.