Printable Grocery List by Store Section (Free PDF)
A grocery list sorted the way the store is laid out, so you walk each aisle once and stop forgetting the one thing you went in for. Ten sections from produce to personal care, with a box to tick as each item goes in the cart.
Free printable · no sign-up
How to use the grocery list
- Plan your meals first. A list based on a meal plan prevents both waste and the midweek extra trip.
- Check what you have. Look in the fridge, freezer and cupboards before you write anything.
- Write each item in its section: produce, meat and fish, dairy, bakery, pantry, frozen, drinks, household, personal care and other.
- Write your budget at the top and add up as you go if you like.
- Tick each box as the item goes into the cart.
Shop smarter, spend less
- Never shop hungry. It is the oldest tip because it works.
- Stick to the list. If something is not on it, it waits until next week, unless it is on sale and on next week’s plan.
- Buy store brands for the basics like flour, rice, canned tomatoes and cleaning products.
- Check unit prices, not package prices. Bigger is not always cheaper.
- Keep a running list on the fridge during the week. When something runs out, write it down right away.
Pair it with a meal plan
The grocery list works best together with a weekly plan. Our weekly meal planner has a full week of meals on page 1 and this same grocery list on page 2, so you can plan and shop with one printout.
Tracking a food budget? Add the total from each shopping trip to your monthly budget planner.
Questions
Why sort a grocery list by store section?
You walk through the store once instead of going back and forth, which saves time and cuts down on impulse buys from passing the same shelves twice.
How do I avoid buying things I already have?
Before writing the list, check the fridge, freezer and pantry. Use up what is there first. The meal planner has a "use up first" box for exactly that.
Can I reuse the list?
Print it double-sided or slip it into a plastic sleeve and use a dry-erase marker. A fresh copy each week works just as well.
