Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store: The Shopping Shortcut You’re Not Using Enough

Missed drop-offs, porch pirates, long shipping windows—it adds stress to something that should be simple. That’s where Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store (BOPIS) comes in. It blends the ease of online shopping with the speed of in-store pickup, giving you the best of both worlds.

BOPIS stands for Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store. You place your order on a retailer’s website or app, then swing by the store to grab it—often the very same day. It’s fast, flexible, and ideal when you’re on the go.

Beyond the speed, BOPIS also lets you skip wandering aisles or waiting in checkout lines. Your order is pulled for you and ready when you are, making it a huge time-saver whether you’re balancing work, errands, or simply want to avoid the shipping process altogether.

BOPIS has quickly become a favorite for busy shoppers because it solves some of the biggest everyday pain points:

  • Convenience: Pick up your order when it fits your schedule
  • Speed: Many stores offer same-day or even one-hour pickup
  • Savings: Skip shipping fees and cut down on impulse purchases
  • Security: Your order stays safe until you pick it up—no lost or stolen packages

If you like your shopping experience to be efficient and predictable, BOPIS is a game-changer.

So, how do you make this magic happen? Here’s the step-by-step:

1. Shop online: Add items to your cart, then select “Pick Up In-Store” at checkout.

2. Get notified: The store prepares your order and sends you an email, text, or app alert when it’s ready.

3. Pick it up: Head inside—or choose curbside pickup if available—show your confirmation, and you’re done.

That’s it. No lines, no shipping delays, no surprises.

The good news is that so many stores are jumping on the BOPIS train because it’s that good. Here are just a few of the big ones where you can take advantage:

  • Walmart – One of the OGs of BOPIS. They’ve got tons of items you can pick up the same day, including groceries
  • Target – They’re super quick with fulfillment, and their curbside pickup is so easy to use
  • Best Buy – Perfect for tech gear and gadgets. You can usually pick up your order in less than an hour!
  • Home Depot – Need tools, plants, or DIY supplies? Order online and grab them in-store whenever you want
  • Kohl’s – Great for clothing, home goods, and other essentials. Plus, their pickup process is really smooth

BOPIS isn’t just convenient—it can also earn you rewards. Many Shopkick online partners give you kicks when you shop online and pick up your order in-store. That means you get the speed and flexibility of BOPIS, plus kicks you can redeem for your favorite gift cards.

Just open the Online tab in the Shopkick app to find participating retailers. It’s a simple way to save time, skip shipping fees, and earn rewards on purchases you already planned to make.

Top 5 Tips on How to Utilize Online Grocery to Save Money

Do you shop for your groceries online? I have been opting to skip shopping in stores over the past few weeks as a way to keep myself, my family, and my fellow shoppers safe. However, I have to admit shopping for groceries online is not an entirely new practice for me. One of the top ways to experience a sudden increase in your grocery bill is by adding additional items to your cart while you’re roaming the aisles, and I’ve found shopping online is a great way to curb that habit. Below, I’m sharing details about how to best utilize online grocery shopping, including explaining why we think it’s best to do curbside pickup rather than at-home delivery.

5. Lookout for Hidden Fees or Service Charges:

Many online grocery delivery services offer you the perceived value of ultimate convenience; however, this convenience usually comes in the form of a fee or service charge. Looking for options that are a little less convenient (Store Pick Up, Curbside & Click and Collect) could be a better option as most of these services are free to shoppers.

4. Plan Your Meals Ahead:

Traditional grocery shopping offers the opportunity for in-store surprise and delight via end caps and displays. In the online grocery environment, shoppers can plan out cost effective meal solutions via recipe websites or influencer blogs to find cost-saving tips paired with inspiration.

3. Identify Promotions:

Many retailers are adapting their models to extend savings to their shoppers via Online Grocery (especially the pickup version). Pairing those with rewards and savings can be a winning combination. Some retailers that run specific pricing promotions have reduced these during this time of Covid-19 due to excessive demand; however, retailers such as Walmart who maintain an EveryDay Low Price model have been winning the value equation over the past several months.

2. What about Leftovers:

Shoppers right now have the opportunity to make an online grocery order be more efficient and save money by thinking through what is the follow up leftover meal that follows the previous day’s recipe. There are countless websites that can provide this leftover strategy as you are thinking about eliminating food waste during this time and helping your dollar go farther.

1. Pickup is the Key:

I don’t want to belabor the point, but the best way to drive savings and avoid pesky upcharges is to make the effort to go to curbside pickup at your participating grocery location. Almost all grocery retailers are extending pricing and discounts for at-store pickup orders. This gives you full confidence you are maximizing the convenience factor while avoiding delivery fees and up-charges.

How have you been saving money on your weekly grocery budget? Join the conversation with fellow Shopkickers on Facebook!