Shopping for groceries can feel more comfortable, no matter your level of vision.
4 tips for grocery shopping in person with vision loss
- Start by making a list in bold print, on your phone, or in braille, organizing it by aisle to save time and avoid backtracking.
- Most stores have staff who can help with shopping. Just stop by customer service when you arrive.
- Call ahead to arrange help and ask when the store is least busy, making your trip even smoother.
- If you’d rather shop without store help, tools like the Seeing AI app for your smartphone, a handheld magnifier, or wearable technology like Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses can make identifying items easier.
Grocery services to consider
- Grocery delivery services like Instacart and Shipt connect you to a variety of stores. They let you browse aisles using your phone or computer, compare prices, and choose exactly what you want.
- Stores like Walmart and Kroger offer their own delivery and curbside pickup options, giving even more flexibility.
- Amazon’s grocery service also makes it easy to order fresh food directly from Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods. Once you create an account and enter your zip code, you can browse aisles on your phone or computer and find what's available, with prices, directions, and nutritional details.
Hadley’s Grocery Shopping workshop series offers more suggestions so you can find what you need and check out smoothly.
Tech help for grocery shopping
"Seeing AI" is a free app that reads aloud what’s in front of the smartphone camera, including products at the store. Learn more through Hadley’s free Seeing AI workshop series.
More help for shopping with vision loss
Check out the Hadley Presents podcast episode Shopping with Vision Loss for more tips, tools, and apps to help make shopping a little easier with vision loss.
You can listen to Hadley’s podcasts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or by phone: 847-558-1317.
Everyone’s situation is personal. Whether you shop online, pick up curbside, or walk the aisles yourself, the important thing is choosing what works best for you and knowing you have choices.
What helps you most when it comes to grocery shopping?