Hassle-Free Grocery Shopping In Lagos: Your 3-Step Formula for Success

Hassle-free grocery shopping is possible if you are intentional about it.

Living in Lagos is hectic, and as if that isn’t enough, you still have to go grocery shopping while dealing with work, family, and daily commitments. After all, even though it is time-consuming, shopping is the only way to eat well and be healthy.

But what if you can ease your grocery shopping tasks?

Imagine avoiding long queues, crowded markets, and constant back-and-forth across different stores. Instead, you buy your groceries and have more quality time for yourself and your family.

In this guide, we’ll introduce you to a 3-step formula hassle-free grocery shopping that will help you make grocery shopping a breeze even in the busy streets of Lagos.

Plus, we’ll show you how SundryAgro can help you implement these steps!

Step 1: Plan Ahead For Hassle-free Grocery Shopping

Planning before going to work or stepping out anywhere is the first and most important step to stress-free grocery shopping. This way, you can hit two birds with a stone each time you leave your home.

Besides, when you fail to plan, you are more likely to forget little items like seasoning cubes, overspend, and visit multiple stores you don’t need. With a grocery shop plan, you can say goodbye to buying a food item you don’t need.

Also, planning is the secret to reducing impulse buying, ensuring you stick to your budget, and making the whole shopping process faster.

Here are unique tips for hassle-free grocery shopping:

• Use the 3 in 1 Grocery shopping method:

The 3 in 1 grocery shopping method involves visiting the grocery shop 3 times a week and is best for couples who haven’t given birth yet. The first visit is the primary shopping, where you bulk purchase weekly essentials such as pepper, tomatoes, and meat.

For the second visit, usually done mid-week (Tuesday to Thursday), you are to replenish quick perishable food items like bread, etc. The last visit is called the emergency visit, where you buy forgotten essential items.

However, with Lagos life, it might be difficult to effectively follow this 3 in 1 shopping method. But, if you order your groceries at SundryAgro, it will be hassle-free. All you have to do is add your groceries to your online cart!

• Use the 6 in 1 shopping method:

The 6 in 1 grocery shopping method must be the best hack any adult Lagosian can know. It grew popular among single ladies and gents after Chef Will Coleman shared it.

Here is how to use it: When shopping, it could be online or at a physical grocery shop, don’t overthink it. Simply buy and in any quantity:

1. 6 different types of vegetables (e.g., salad vegetables, soup vegetables, etc).
2. 5 different varieties of fruits (e.g., watermelon, orange, etc).
3. 4 protein sources (e.g., eggs, beef, chicken, turkey, etc).
4. 3 carbohydrates (e.g., rice, spaghetti, etc).
5. 2 sauces or spreads (e.g., jam, butter, chocolate spreads, etc).
6. And 1 fun thing (e.g., drinks, Chivita fruit juice, wine, etc.).

• Use a Grocery List to enjoy hassle-free grocery shopping

Having a grocery list is the key to hassle-free grocery shopping. With it, you won’t have to keep making more visits to the market just because you forgot an item or waste your money by buying ingredients you already have in abundance.

A grocery shopping list is your friend for Lagosians who are serious about improving their shopping habits.

Whether you love the classic pen-and-paper approach or prefer using apps like Notepad, Evernote, or Google Keep, build your grocery lists around your weekly meal plan and organize it into categories like fruits, dairy, etc. This way, you can shop with purpose, skipping the endless wandering and focusing on exactly what you need.

But that’s not all. A well-thought-out grocery list helps you plan meals around what’s already in your kitchen. No more duplicates. No more waste. And best of all, you stick to your budget (because we all know how high food prices can be in Lagos).

Ready to shop without moving an inch? Start making your grocery list today, order them at SundryAgro, and let us deliver your farm-fresh groceries straight to your door!

Step 2: Shop Smart

Now that your grocery shopping list and meal plan are ready, it’s time to shop smart. Lagos markets and grocery stores can be chaotic, but with the right strategies, you can make your shopping experience easier, more affordable, and hassle-free.

The goal should be to save time and money while ensuring you get the freshest and best-quality food items. Here’s how to ensure quick, cost-effective and hassle-free grocery shopping:

• Go Early or Late:

Lagos is known for its traffic and crowded markets, but there are certain periods of the day and specific days when activity slows down.

If you’re a busy working person, you can avoid the crowd by shopping early in the morning on weekends or later in the evening when returning home from work. This will help you get through the store faster and without the crowds.

• Stick to Your Shopping List:

Compulsive shopping can distract you and waste your time. Whether you’re shopping at a supermarket like Shoprite, Spar, or a local market, resist the temptation to buy items that aren’t on your list.

When you are in an unfamiliar market, ask a friendly woman for directions to save time (to avoid problems, speak in pidgin). Once you have paid for your purchase, leave immediately. Remember, time is precious.

• Leverage Discounts:

Shopping with a discount mindset can significantly reduce the total expenses you spend on groceries. It is a smart way to save. Good examples of discounts are black Friday and SundryAgro’s gift cards. So, instead of stressing yourself at the market and still paying the normal price, use our gift cards to access farm-fresh groceries.

• Leverage Grocery Delivery Services for a Hassle-free Grocery Shopping

Save yourself from the stress of navigating crowded markets and Lagos traffic by shopping online. Use a trusted grocery service like SundryAgro to order all the items on your grocery list and enjoy same-day delivery directly to your home or office. This way, you save time and energy while ensuring your groceries arrive fresh and ready for the week ahead.

• Shop at Wholesale Markets:

The truth is that most of those traders you see at the market get their goods from the Lagos Wholesale markets. And similar to SundryAgro’s bulk purchase, wholesale markets often offer better deals, especially if you’re stocking up for the week or month.

So, to buy fresh produce and essentials at lower prices, visit Lagos’ wholesale markets like Balogun, Oyingbo, and Mile 12.

• Know Your Go-To Shops To Enjoy Hassle-free Grocery Shopping

Another smart move is to identify your favorite shops for specific items. In Lagos, it’s not uncommon to have a preferred vendor for meat or fish and another for vegetables. Over time, you’ll know which shops offer the best deals on the items you buy regularly. Additionally, building these connections with your regular vendors can also lead to better prices and more personalized service.

As a bonus, if you are engaged at an on-site job, you can shift your physical grocery shopping to the work days (Mondays to Fridays). But instead of shopping all at once, stick to buying your groceries little by little. This way, you show up at work and your health.

Step 3: Prep for the Week (Be Prepared) For a Hassle-free Grocery Shopping

The final step to hassle-free grocery shopping is stocking and prepping for the week ahead. This ensures you stay on track with your meal plan, avoid impulsive fast-food purchases, and enjoy a smoother, stress-free cooking experience by investing a little extra time upfront.

Here is how to prep for the week:

• Organize Your Groceries

Once you’re back from the market or your SundryAgro delivery arrives, take a few minutes to organize your groceries. Sort items into categories like vegetables, proteins, carbohydrates, and snacks. First, unpack perishable items like fresh tomatoes, fish, or meat and store them in the refrigerator immediately to preserve freshness.

If you rely on NEPA power supply schedules, ensure you have backup plans, like ice packs or a small generator, to keep your perishables fresh in case of power outages.

• Pre-wash and Chop Veggies:

When you get home from the market, wash and chop your vegetables for the week. This makes it easier to grab them for cooking, especially if you’re juggling work and kids.

Wash your vegetables and leafy greens thoroughly to remove any dirt or pesticides. Once cleaned, chop them into usable portions and store them in airtight containers. For instance, you can blend your stew ingredients and refrigerate them in an easily identified container. This saves you from the hassle of blending in a rush on your busiest days.

• Batch Cook:

Batch cooking will save you from going on hunger strikes on the days you get home exhausted and very late at night. So, this tip is an important aspect of prepping your groceries for a hassle-free week.

You should prepare large portions of stables like egusi soup, jollof rice, beans, and soups that you can refrigerate or freeze in containers for later. Not only does this reduce the stress of daily cooking, but it also ensures you always have a homemade meal ready to go.

Pro tip: If you love smoothies, prep your fruits in advance. Peel and chop bananas, watermelon, or mangoes, and store them in the freezer. This makes it easy to whip up a quick, refreshing drink during the week. 

Conclusion

By planning, shopping smart, and stocking & prepping for the week, you can reclaim hours of your time and make grocery shopping a breeze, even in the hustle and bustle of Lagos.

If you don’t want to deal with the challenges of visiting a supermarket and prefer the ultimate convenience of hassle-free grocery shopping, SundryAgro is your one-stop solution for grocery shopping. Enjoy same-day delivery, and personal shoppers doing your market runs for you. SundryAgro brings the market to your doorstep.

Ready to get started?

Visit SundryAgro today and place your first order for fresh, affordable groceries delivered straight to you – fast and hassle-free!