What is Curbside Pickup? The Complete Guide for Retailers

Curbside pickup lets customers buy online and collect their order outside the store without ever walking in. It sounds simple, but it has become one of the most important fulfillment options in modern retail. Over 5,200 people search "what is curbside pickup" every month, which tells you this is still a concept shoppers and retailers are actively trying to understand.

What started as a pandemic workaround is now a permanent expectation. Customers love the speed. Retailers love the economics. And the businesses that do it well are winning foot traffic, loyalty, and repeat purchases from the ones that don't.

This guide covers how curbside pickup works, the statistics behind its growth, how to set it up, and how to make sure customers can actually find which of your locations offer it.

Related: BOPIS guide | How to increase foot traffic | Store locator examples

#What is Curbside Pickup?

Curbside pickup is a fulfillment method where a customer places an order online (or by phone), drives to the store, and has a staff member bring the order to their vehicle. The customer never enters the building.

You'll also see it called:

• BOPAC. Buy Online, Pick Up At Curb (the industry acronym)
• Car-side pickup. used by some restaurant chains
• Drive-up. Target's branded version
• Contactless pickup. emphasizes the no-touch element

Curbside is a variant of BOPIS (Buy Online, Pick Up In Store), but with one key difference: the customer stays in their car. That distinction matters more than it sounds. It removes the friction of parking, navigating the store, waiting in line, and carrying heavy items. For parents with kids in the car, elderly shoppers, or anyone in a hurry, curbside is the difference between "I'll order online" and "I'll just get it delivered."

#Curbside vs. In-Store Pickup vs. Delivery

These three options serve different needs:

Each serves a different moment. In-store pickup works when customers want to browse. Delivery works for customers who can wait. Curbside wins when customers want something now, but don't want to leave their car. Smart retailers offer all three and let the customer choose.

#How Does Curbside Pickup Work?

The flow is straightforward, but the execution behind it requires coordination between your website, your operations team, and your physical locations.

#From the Customer's Perspective

1. Browse and buy online. the customer shops your website or app and adds items to cart
2. Select "Curbside Pickup". chooses their preferred store location and a pickup time window
3. Receive confirmation. gets an email or SMS confirming the order and estimated ready time
4. Get "Ready for Pickup" notification. a text or push notification when the order is packed and staged
5. Drive to the store. parks in a designated curbside spot
6. Check in. taps a link, sends a text, calls the store, or uses the app to say "I'm here"
7. Receive order. a staff member brings the order to the car, verifies identity, and hands it off

The entire pickup interaction from parking to driving away typically takes 2 to 5 minutes.

#From the Retailer's Perspective

1. Order comes in. POS or order management system receives the curbside order
2. Staff picks and packs. team pulls items from shelves, checks quality, and bags the order
3. Order staged. placed in a designated staging area near the curbside exit, labeled by customer name or order number
4. Notification sent. automated SMS or email tells the customer the order is ready
5. Customer checks in. system alerts staff that the customer has arrived, including their parking spot number and vehicle description
6. Handoff. staff member walks the order out, confirms the customer identity, and completes the transaction
7. Post-pickup. system marks the order as fulfilled and triggers any follow-up communications (review request, loyalty points, receipt)

The operations piece is where most retailers struggle. The picking and packing is familiar, but the "last 50 feet" of getting orders from the staging area to the right car quickly is a workflow most stores have never had to think about before.

#Curbside Pickup Statistics

The data tells a clear story: curbside isn't fading. It's growing.

#Adoption and Market Size

• 68% of US shoppers have used BOPIS or curbside pickup at least once (Capital One Shopping)
• The overall BOPIS market is projected to reach $509 billion by 2033, growing at 16.45% annually (Research and Markets)
• Curbside accounts for roughly 30% of all BOPIS orders, with the share higher in grocery, pharmacy, and restaurant categories (Insider Intelligence)
• 46.1% of BOPIS users prefer the curbside option over walking inside (Capital One Shopping)

#Consumer Behavior

• 85% of consumers cite convenience as their primary reason for choosing curbside (NRF)
• 35% of curbside users say they choose it because they don't want to enter the store
• 70% of shoppers consider curbside availability when deciding where to buy (Bringg)
• Customers who use curbside pickup are 2.7x more likely to become repeat buyers than delivery-only customers

#Business Impact

• Curbside orders have a 60% lower fulfillment cost compared to last-mile delivery
• Retailers offering curbside see an average 20% increase in online order volume
• 48% of consumers have added items to a curbside order after placing it, creating incremental revenue

The trend line is clear: consumers who try curbside keep using it. And the economics work better for retailers than delivery on almost every metric.

#Benefits of Curbside Pickup

#For Retailers

Lower fulfillment costs. Delivering an order to someone's car costs almost nothing compared to shipping it to their home. No packaging, no carrier fees, no last-mile logistics. The customer does the driving.

Higher conversion rates. Offering curbside pickup removes the biggest barrier in e-commerce: shipping cost and wait time. When "get it in 2 hours for free" is an option, more people click "buy."

Increased order frequency. The convenience of curbside turns occasional online shoppers into weekly customers. This is especially true in grocery and pharmacy, where the speed of curbside replaces what used to be a 30-minute in-store trip.

Reduced delivery pressure. Every curbside order is one fewer delivery you need to fulfill. For retailers running their own delivery fleet, or paying for third-party services, each curbside conversion saves real money.

Competitive advantage. Many small and mid-size retailers still don't offer curbside. Adding it puts you ahead of competitors who force customers to choose between shipping and walking into the store.

Foot traffic adjacency. While the customer stays in the car, the staff interaction creates a touchpoint. Some retailers hand out flyers, samples, or promotional cards with curbside orders, driving future in-store visits.

#For Customers

Speed. No browsing aisles, no waiting in checkout lines, no hunting for parking inside. Pull up, grab, go.

Convenience. Parents with kids in car seats, shoppers with mobility issues, anyone on a tight schedule. Curbside removes every friction point that comes with entering a store.

No shipping cost. Free pickup is free pickup. For bulky items especially, this saves real money.

Same-day availability. Unlike delivery, which might take hours or days, curbside orders are often ready within an hour of purchase.

Contactless option. Some customers still prefer minimal contact. Curbside provides that without the cost and delay of delivery.

Certainty. No missed deliveries, no stolen packages, no "delivered to wrong address" anxiety. You pick it up yourself.

#How to Set Up Curbside Pickup

Setting up curbside pickup doesn't require massive infrastructure investment. It requires thoughtful planning and consistent execution. Here's the practical playbook.

#1. Designate Curbside Parking Spots

Reserve 2 to 5 spots near the store entrance, depending on your order volume. These spots need:

• Clear signage. "Curbside Pickup Only" with your brand on it
• Numbered spots. so customers can tell you where they parked
• Visibility from inside. staff should be able to see when a car pulls in
• ADA compliance. at least one accessible curbside spot

Start with fewer spots and add more as demand grows. Overallocating curbside parking that sits empty frustrates regular shoppers.

#2. Build the Order Staging Area

Create a dedicated space near the curbside exit where packed orders wait for pickup. This area should be:

• Organized by time window. orders for the next hour at the front
• Temperature-controlled. if you sell perishables, you need a cooler section
• Labeled clearly. customer name, order number, and pickup time on every bag
• Separate from in-store pickup. to prevent confusion and cross-fulfillment

#3. Set Up the Communication Flow

The check-in process is the most critical piece. Customers need a way to say "I'm here," and staff need to be alerted immediately. Common approaches:

• SMS check-in. customer texts a keyword or taps a link in their "ready" notification
• App check-in. a "I'm here" button in your mobile app with GPS confirmation
• Phone call. the backup option for customers who don't do apps or texts
• QR code at the spot. customer scans a code on the parking sign

Whichever method you choose, the handoff should happen within 5 minutes of check-in. After 5 minutes, customer satisfaction drops sharply.

#4. Train Your Staff

Curbside requires a different mindset than counter service. Staff need training on:

• Pickup workflow. from alert to handoff, every step should be scripted
• Order verification. checking ID or order number, not just handing bags to anyone
• Vehicle identification. asking for car make, model, and color during check-in
• Multi-order juggling. handling 3 to 5 simultaneous pickups during peak times
• Customer interaction. friendly, fast, professional. This is your brand's face in a 60-second window

#5. Integrate Your Technology

At minimum, you need:

• Order management system. to track curbside orders from placement to pickup
• Notification system. automated SMS or email at each stage (confirmed, ready, picked up)
• Check-in system. a way for customers to announce arrival
• POS integration. so curbside orders show in the same system as in-store and online sales

Most modern POS systems (Shopify POS, Square, Toast, Lightspeed) have curbside features built in or available as add-ons.

#6. Define Hours and Capacity

Decide:

• Curbside hours. these might differ from store hours (e.g., curbside ends 30 minutes before close)
• Order cutoff time. how late can someone place a same-day curbside order?
• Maximum simultaneous orders. how many can you stage and fulfill at once?
• Pickup windows. 15-minute, 30-minute, or 1-hour windows?

Start conservative and expand. A 30-minute window with 10-order capacity is better than a 15-minute window where orders stack up and wait times spiral.

#Curbside Pickup Best Practices

#Staff and Operations

Dedicate staff during peak hours. Don't make the same person handle walk-in customers and curbside orders. During lunch rush or after-work hours, assign at least one person exclusively to curbside.

Use a runner system. One person monitors the check-in queue, another physically carries orders to cars. This parallel workflow cuts wait times in half.

Track wait times obsessively. Measure the time between customer check-in and order handoff. Your target is under 5 minutes. Anything over 10 minutes and you're losing the convenience advantage that makes curbside valuable.

#Customer Experience

Send real-time notifications. Customers want to know: order confirmed, order being prepared, order ready, and order picked up. Each stage should trigger an automatic message.

Offer extended pickup windows. Not everyone can pick up within an hour. Offer 48 to 72-hour windows so customers can order today and pick up tomorrow after work.

Allow order modifications. Let customers add items after placing the order, up until the order is picked and packed. This captures impulse revenue and reduces the "I forgot one thing" frustration.

Include a personal touch. A handwritten "thank you" note, a sample, or a coupon in the bag takes 10 seconds and creates a memorable experience that drives loyalty.

#Revenue Optimization

Suggest add-on items. During the online checkout, recommend complementary products. "Picking up dog food? Add treats for $3." This is the curbside equivalent of impulse buys at the register.

Promote in-store exclusives. Include a flyer in every curbside bag with in-store-only deals. Convert curbside customers into foot traffic when they have more time.

Train staff to mention promotions. A quick "By the way, we have 20% off sunscreen this week" during handoff plants a seed for the next visit.

#Showing Curbside Locations on Your Store Locator

Here's the reality most retailers miss: you can offer the best curbside experience in the world, but if customers can't figure out which of your locations actually have it, you're leaving orders on the table.

This is especially true for businesses with a mix of locations. Maybe 60 of your 200 stores offer curbside. A customer in Denver wants to know if their closest location has it before they order, not after.

#Use Search Filters for Curbside Availability

The most effective approach is adding a "Curbside Pickup" filter to your store locator. When customers search for a store near them, they can toggle this filter and see only locations that support curbside.

StoreRocket's filter feature lets you tag locations with services like curbside pickup, BOPIS, drive-through, and any other attribute. Customers can filter by what matters to them and find exactly the right location. No guessing, no calling ahead, no wasted trips.

#Add Curbside as a CTA on Location Cards

Beyond filters, make curbside visible on each location's card in the results list. A "Curbside Available" badge or a dedicated "Order for Curbside Pickup" button gives customers immediate clarity.

#Display Curbside Hours Separately

If your curbside hours differ from regular store hours (and they probably should), display both. Nothing frustrates a customer more than driving to a store for curbside at 8:45 PM only to find out curbside ended at 8:00.

#Show Curbside Instructions Per Location

Different locations might have different curbside setups. One store might have numbered spots in front, another might use the side lot. Include per-location curbside instructions so customers know exactly where to go and what to do when they arrive.

For a step-by-step guide on adding a store locator with these features, see how to add a store locator to your website.

#Industries Using Curbside Pickup

Curbside started in grocery and fast food, but it has spread to virtually every category of physical retail.

Grocery. The original curbside category. Walmart, Kroger, and Target pioneered it at scale. Grocery curbside is now a weekly habit for millions of households. The perishable challenge (keeping cold items cold during staging) drove innovations that other industries now copy.

Restaurants. Curbside changed the game for QSR and casual dining chains. Chipotle, Olive Garden, and Panera all have dedicated curbside lanes or spots. For restaurant marketing, curbside is a way to capture the convenience of delivery without paying 30% to DoorDash.

Pharmacy. CVS, Walgreens, and independent pharmacies offer prescription curbside pickup. For customers picking up medication, the "don't leave your car" factor is especially valuable for those who are sick or have mobility limitations.

Retail (general merchandise). Target's Drive Up, Best Buy's curbside, and Kohl's are all major examples. Retail curbside works well for pre-selected items where browsing isn't part of the value proposition.

Auto parts. AutoZone and O'Reilly offer curbside for parts orders. Customers often know exactly what part they need, so the browse-and-discover element of in-store isn't necessary.

Home improvement. Lowe's and Home Depot offer curbside for heavy or bulky items. Loading 12 bags of mulch into your trunk without walking through the store is a genuine quality-of-life improvement.

Pet stores. PetSmart and Petco offer curbside for food, supplies, and prescriptions. Pet parents buying the same 30-pound bag of dog food every month don't need to wander the aisles each time.

Liquor and wine. Many states now allow curbside pickup for alcohol orders placed online. This opened a category that was previously limited to in-store only.

The pattern is clear: any industry where customers know what they want before they arrive is a candidate for curbside. The less browsing involved, the better curbside works.

#Curbside Pickup and the Omnichannel Experience

Curbside doesn't exist in isolation. It's one piece of a broader omnichannel customer experience that connects online discovery with physical fulfillment.

The journey often looks like this:

1. Customer discovers your product via Google search or social media
2. Visits your website and adds items to cart
3. Sees "Curbside Pickup Available at 3 nearby locations"
4. Selects the closest store
5. Gets the order in their car 2 hours later
6. Receives a follow-up email with in-store promotions
7. Visits the store the following week to browse

Each touchpoint feeds the next. And the store locator sits at the center of steps 3 and 4, connecting online intent to physical fulfillment. For a deeper look at how this works, see our guide on retail customer experience.

#Common Curbside Pickup Mistakes to Avoid

Understaffing during peak hours. The #1 complaint about curbside is wait time. If your average handoff takes 15 minutes instead of 5, customers will switch to a competitor.

No dedicated parking spots. Making customers park wherever and then call the store is a terrible experience. Designated, numbered spots are non-negotiable.

Silent order status. If a customer has no idea whether their order is being prepared, ready, or lost in limbo, they're going to call the store or just cancel. Automate notifications at every stage.

Inconsistent availability. If some locations offer curbside and some don't, but your website doesn't make this clear, you're creating frustration. Tag every location's curbside status in your store locator.

No backup plan for bad weather. Rain, snow, and extreme heat make curbside harder. Have a covered staging area or offer to bring orders to a sheltered pickup zone during bad weather.

Ignoring the handoff experience. The 60 seconds where your staff interacts with the customer is the only human touchpoint in the entire transaction. A disengaged employee handing over a crumpled bag undoes all the convenience you built.

#Frequently Asked Questions

#What is curbside pickup?

Curbside pickup is a fulfillment option where customers order products online and pick them up outside the store without going inside. A store employee brings the order directly to the customer's vehicle. It's also known as BOPAC (Buy Online, Pick Up At Curb) and is a popular variant of BOPIS.

#How does curbside pickup work?

The process is simple: order online, select a store location, wait for a "ready" notification, drive to the store's designated curbside parking spot, check in via text or app, and a staff member brings the order to your car. The entire pickup typically takes 2 to 5 minutes.

#Is curbside pickup free?

In most cases, yes. Retailers generally don't charge extra for curbside pickup because the customer handles the transportation. However, some retailers set a minimum order amount for curbside eligibility, and a few quick-service restaurants charge a small convenience fee.

#What is the difference between curbside pickup and in-store pickup?

The main difference is whether you enter the store. With in-store pickup, you walk in, go to a counter, and collect your order (and potentially browse while you're there). With curbside pickup, you stay in your car and a staff member brings the order to you. Curbside is faster and more convenient; in-store gives you the chance to see other products and make additional purchases.

#How long does curbside pickup take?

There are two timeframes to consider. Order preparation time varies by retailer but is typically 1 to 4 hours for same-day orders. The actual pickup (from parking to driving away) should take 2 to 5 minutes at a well-run operation. If you're consistently waiting more than 10 minutes, that's a sign of a staffing or workflow problem.

#What stores offer curbside pickup?

Most major retailers offer curbside pickup in 2026, including Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe's, Kohl's, Kroger, CVS, Walgreens, PetSmart, and hundreds of others. Many smaller and mid-size retailers also offer it. To find stores with curbside near you, look for a "curbside pickup" filter on the retailer's store locator page.

#How do I set up curbside pickup for my business?

Start with five steps: designate 2 to 5 curbside parking spots with clear signage, create a staging area for packed orders, set up an SMS or app-based check-in system, train staff on the pickup workflow, and integrate curbside into your POS and order management system. Most modern point-of-sale platforms have built-in curbside features.

#Can I show curbside pickup on my store locator?

Yes, and you should. Customers need to know which locations offer curbside before they place an order. Use a store locator with filter support so customers can toggle "Curbside Available" and see only qualifying locations. You can also display curbside hours, pickup instructions, and a dedicated "Order for Curbside" CTA on each location card. Learn how to add a store locator with these features.

#Get Started

If your business has physical locations and you're not offering curbside pickup yet, you're leaving money and customer loyalty on the table. The setup is straightforward, the economics are favorable, and customer expectations have already shifted.

The first step is making sure customers can find your curbside locations. A store locator with service-level filtering, clear curbside badges, and per-location instructions turns online shoppers into curbside customers.

Try StoreRocket free and start showing customers which locations offer curbside pickup today.