Janet and I must think alike - I’ve actually been using this tip for years:

When going to the grocery store you should always make your list following the layout of the store. As an example, if you enter your favorite store in the produce department, your list should begin with produce items. This will save you time searching through your list over and over and back tracking in the store when you find something on your list that you’ve already passed.  It will also cut down on impulse buys and save you money.
- Janet Schiesl of Basic Organization LLC, www.basicorganization.com

I’ve used this technique in grocery stores from Boston to Palo Alto to San Francisco to Baltimore. At first, I’d just visualize the store as I made my shopping lists. I’d close my eyes and make like the Terminator in those movies, “moving” through the store as if looking at a video game. I’d stop when I “arrived” at various points in the store and write down what I needed. Then I’d close my eyes and move on.

Soon, of course, I realized this was repetitive and not very efficient so I started making store maps (I love maps) and then lists that followed the store layouts. I even had color coding for items that were frequent buys vs. occasional buys. (I love systems like this– don’t even get me started on my system for managing baby bottles. I admit it, I’m a bit of a dork.)

This whole effort has gotten even easier now that I eat Let’s Dish! food five nights a week. Since the main courses, as well as most of the sides, are already taken care of, I can zip through my list mainly hitting things like bread, cheese, snacks, breakfast items, milk/dairy, and paper products. It’s a snap. 

And now with online grocery shopping and delivery services like Peapod, it’s even easier because you can automate your lists (though I do suggest investing the first 30-60 minutes to get your lists in good shape- that will save you time later).

Happy shopping.