BOPIS stands for "Buy Online, Pick Up In Store"—a shopping method where you order online and collect your purchase at a physical location, often within hours. Learn how it works, why retailers love it, and when to use it versus delivery.
Two women in an eco-friendly store with refillable containers and glass jars.
Photo by Anna Tarazevich on Pexels

You're browsing online, find exactly what you need, but don't want to wait three days for shipping. You also don't want to drive to the store and hope it's in stock. What if you could have both—online shopping convenience and same-day pickup?

That's BOPIS. And in 2025, it's not just a convenience—it's expected. Target calls it "Drive Up." Walmart uses "Pickup." Best Buy offers "Store Pickup." But they're all variations of the same brilliant idea: shop from your couch, grab it within hours.

Here's what makes BOPIS different from regular delivery, why major retailers invested billions in these systems, and when you should choose pickup over shipping. Whether you're a shopper wanting faster gratification or a retailer considering implementation, this guide breaks down everything you need to know.

What Does BOPIS Mean? The Official Definition

BOPIS stands for "Buy Online, Pick Up In Store." It's a retail fulfillment method where customers purchase products through a website or mobile app, then collect their order at a physical store location—typically within a few hours to a few days. Items are already paid for online, so pickup is quick: show ID, grab your bag, leave. Some retailers offer curbside pickup where staff bring orders to your car.

The term BOPIS became retail shorthand around 2015, though the practice existed earlier. Think of it as the evolved version of catalog ordering—except now the catalog is a website, and "mail delivery" is replaced by "drive to store."

According to Shopify's retail research, BOPIS grew by over 200% during 2020-2021 and continues expanding as retailers realize customers value speed and certainty over waiting for shipments.

Other Names for BOPIS You'll See

Retailers brand their pickup services differently, but they all mean basically the same thing:

  • Click and Collect: Common in UK/Europe, same concept
  • Store Pickup: Generic term many sites use
  • Curbside Pickup: When you don't go inside—staff bring it to your car
  • Drive Up: Target's branded version with curbside service
  • In-Store Pickup: Walmart's term, walk-in counter
  • Reserve Online, Pick Up In Store (ROPIS): Similar, though technically you might not pay until pickup

The core idea remains consistent: online convenience meets physical store speed.

How BOPIS Actually Works (Step-by-Step)

Here's the typical BOPIS experience from a customer's perspective:

Step 1: Shop Online, Choose "Pickup" at Checkout

You browse a retailer's website or app, add items to your cart, and at checkout see options like "Ship to Home" or "Pick Up Today." You select pickup, choose your preferred store location, and complete payment online.

Most retailers show inventory availability per store in real-time, so you know the item is actually there before ordering.

Step 2: Store Staff Receive and Prepare Your Order

Behind the scenes, store employees get your order notification. They locate the items in the store (from shelves or a back room), verify accuracy, and package everything with your name and order number.

This usually takes 1-4 hours for same-day orders. Some retailers offer "ready in 1 hour" guarantees during normal business hours.

Step 3: You Get "Ready for Pickup" Notification

Once your order is staged, you receive an email or SMS saying it's ready. This message typically includes pickup location instructions (which entrance, counter, or parking stall), hours, and what to bring (ID, order confirmation).

Step 4: Pickup Your Order

You drive to the store within the hold window (usually 3-7 days). At pickup:

  • In-store pickup: Go to the designated counter, show ID and confirmation, receive your bagged order
  • Curbside pickup: Park in a numbered spot, tap "I'm here" in the app, staff bring your order to your car

The whole pickup interaction takes 2-5 minutes. No browsing, no checkout line, no waiting.

What Happens If You Don't Pick Up?

Retailers have different policies. According to Target's pickup terms, orders are held for 3 days, then automatically canceled and refunded. Walmart holds until the end of the next day. Best Buy gives you 5 days.

Items go back into inventory, and your payment is reversed—no restocking fees for not picking up.

Real BOPIS Examples: How Major Retailers Do It

Let's look at how three top retailers implement BOPIS with different approaches:

Target: "Drive Up" with Curbside Emphasis

Target heavily promotes curbside pickup through their "Drive Up" service. You can order groceries, electronics, home goods—nearly everything in-store—and have it brought to your car, usually within 2 hours.

What sets Target apart: They expanded parking lot capacity specifically for Drive Up, with dedicated stalls and fast service times. According to Target's 2024 holiday announcements, Drive Up now accounts for a significant portion of their digital sales.

Hold time: 3 days | Same-day cutoff: Usually by 5pm | ID required: Yes, driver's license or order barcode

Walmart: In-Store Pickup + Grocery

Walmart offers both traditional in-store pickup (go to customer service desk) and grocery pickup (curbside for food orders). Their massive store network means most US shoppers are within 10 miles of a Walmart with pickup capability.

Walmart's edge: They integrated pickup with their grocery business early, making them a leader in same-day food pickup. Shoppers can order groceries online in the morning and pick them up after work.

Hold time: Cancel if not picked up by end of next business day | Same-day cutoff: Varies by location, often by 4pm | ID required: Yes

Best Buy: Tech Expertise with 1-Hour Pickup

Best Buy promises 1-hour pickup for in-stock items during store hours. As an electronics retailer, speed matters—customers often need a cable, charger, or replacement device immediately.

Best Buy's advantage: Tech-savvy staff, detailed order tracking via app, and a dedicated pickup area in most stores that feels more like an Apple Store Genius Bar than a counter.

Hold time: 5 days | Same-day cutoff: Store closing time | ID required: Yes plus credit card used for purchase

Pro Tip: Most retailers let someone else pick up your order if they have your confirmation email/text and a photo ID. This is great for sending a family member or colleague to grab time-sensitive items.

Why Do Retailers Love BOPIS? The Business Case

From a retailer's perspective, BOPIS isn't just a customer convenience—it's a strategic advantage that solves multiple problems:

Lower Fulfillment Costs Than Shipping

Shipping individual packages costs $6-$12 per order (packaging, carrier fees, labor). BOPIS fulfillment from existing inventory costs $2-$4 (just picking and staging). That's 50-70% savings on logistics.

For high-volume retailers moving thousands of online orders daily, those savings add up to millions annually.

Drives Foot Traffic and Add-On Sales

Research shows 30-40% of BOPIS customers buy additional items when they come to pick up their order. You're already at the store, you see something else you need, you grab it. That's pure incremental revenue.

According to Shopify's retail analysis, this "basket building" effect makes BOPIS customers more valuable than ship-to-home customers.

Reduces Abandoned Carts

Shipping costs and long delivery times cause cart abandonment. BOPIS removes both barriers: no shipping fee (or minimal fee), and you get it today. That converts more browsers into buyers.

Competes with Amazon Without Building Distribution Centers

Amazon's massive fulfillment network enables 1-2 day delivery. Traditional retailers can't afford to build competing infrastructure. But they already have stores everywhere—BOPIS turns those stores into instant fulfillment centers.

Walmart, Target, and Home Depot each have 1,500-2,000 US locations. That's a fulfillment network Amazon can't match for same-day, local pickup.

Handles Returns Easier

When customers pick up in-store, they can also return or exchange items immediately if there's an issue. This reduces shipping-related return fraud and speeds resolution.

When Should You Choose BOPIS Over Delivery?

BOPIS makes sense in specific situations. Here's when to choose pickup over shipping:

Use BOPIS When...

  • You need it today: Last-minute birthday gift, replacement phone charger, forgot an ingredient for dinner
  • You're avoiding shipping fees: Many retailers charge $5-$10 for shipping but offer free pickup
  • You're worried about porch theft: Package theft is real; picking up yourself eliminates the risk
  • You want to inspect before committing: Some retailers let you inspect and refuse at pickup if the item isn't right
  • The store is convenient: If it's on your way home from work, pickup adds no extra effort
  • You're buying something bulky: Large items (furniture, appliances) often have high shipping costs; pickup saves money

Use Delivery When...

  • You're not near a store: If the nearest location is 30+ minutes away, delivery makes more sense
  • You're ordering many small items: Picking up 20 small things feels inefficient; delivery consolidates
  • You have mobility challenges: Going to a store might be difficult; home delivery is more accessible
  • You want contactless: Delivery to your doorstep requires zero interaction

For a detailed cost and time comparison, check out our BOPIS vs Delivery guide with calculator.

BOPIS vs Other Fulfillment Methods

Let's clarify how BOPIS differs from related terms:

Method What It Means Key Difference
BOPIS Buy online, pick up in store Standard term; go inside to a counter
Curbside Pickup Buy online, staff bring to your car Subset of BOPIS; you never enter store
Ship to Store Order ships from warehouse to store, then you pick up Takes 3-7 days; item not in local inventory
Click and Collect Same as BOPIS, UK/Europe term Just regional language difference
ROPIS Reserve online, pick up in store; might pay at pickup Payment timing; BOPIS always pre-paid
Delivery Ships to your home address No store visit; 1-5 days typically

How Retailers Set Up BOPIS (For Store Owners)

If you run a retail store and want to offer BOPIS, here's what you need:

1. E-commerce Platform with Pickup Capability

Your online store must support "pickup" as a checkout option. Platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce, and WooCommerce all offer this. You'll configure which locations offer pickup and set estimated ready times.

For detailed Shopify setup instructions, see our complete Shopify BOPIS guide.

2. Real-Time Inventory Sync

Your online inventory must reflect what's actually in each store. Customers hate ordering for pickup only to be told "actually, we're out of stock." Accurate inventory is non-negotiable.

3. Order Management & Notification System

Staff need a way to see incoming pickup orders, mark items as picked and staged, and send "ready" notifications to customers. Most e-commerce platforms include this, or you use POS systems like Square, Clover, or Shopify POS.

4. Designated Pickup Area

You need a physical space for staging orders and a pickup counter or curbside stalls. This doesn't have to be elaborate—even a corner of the store with shelves and a "Pickup Orders" sign works.

5. Signage and Customer Instructions

Clear signs directing customers where to go, what to bring (ID), and hours for pickup. For free signage templates, visit our curbside pickup signage guide.

6. Policies: Hold Times, ID, Returns

Decide how long you'll hold orders, whether you require ID, if you allow proxy pickup, and return/exchange policies at pickup. Document these clearly on your site.

Need policy templates? See our BOPIS policy examples with retail benchmarks.

Ready to Launch BOPIS for Holiday 2025?

Our BOPIS Holiday Ops Kit includes setup checklists, policy templates, staffing models, signage pack, and an SLA calculator to set realistic pickup times.

Get the BOPIS Holiday Ops Kit – $29

Includes: Policy templates, pickup instructions library, staffing calculator (Excel), signage copy deck, training checklist.

The Customer Experience: What Good BOPIS Feels Like

When BOPIS works well, it's magical. When it's poorly executed, it's frustrating. Here's what separates great from mediocre:

Great BOPIS Experience

  • Accurate inventory: What shows "in stock" is actually available
  • Fast ready times: Order confirmed and ready within 1-2 hours
  • Clear notifications: Timely SMS/email when order is ready
  • Easy to find pickup area: Obvious signage, convenient location
  • Quick handoff: Show ID, receive order, done in under 3 minutes
  • Friendly staff: Helpful, organized, know where orders are

Bad BOPIS Experience

  • Inventory says "available" but item is actually out of stock
  • "Ready in 2 hours" turns into 6+ hours with no update
  • Confusing pickup location—where do I go?
  • Long wait at pickup counter; staff searching for order
  • Order missing items or wrong items bagged

The difference comes down to systems, training, and operational discipline. That's why retailers invest heavily in getting BOPIS right—one bad experience and customers go back to Amazon.

The Technology Behind BOPIS

Making BOPIS work requires integrating several systems:

Core Technology Stack

  • E-commerce platform: Website/app for online ordering
  • Order management system (OMS): Routes orders to correct store, tracks status
  • Point of sale (POS): Where staff mark orders ready, scan pickups
  • Inventory management: Real-time stock levels per location
  • Notification system: Automated emails/SMS for order status
  • Customer app: For "I'm here" check-ins (curbside)

For retailers using Shopify, most of this is built-in or available via apps. For custom setups, you might integrate systems like NetSuite, Lightspeed, or Vend.

For a deep dive into BOPIS technology architecture, see our BOPIS Technology Stack guide.

The Future of BOPIS in 2025 and Beyond

BOPIS isn't going away—it's evolving. Here are trends shaping the next generation of pickup:

Automated Pickup Lockers

Some retailers are installing lockers where orders are stored in secure compartments. You scan a QR code, your locker opens, grab your order—no staff interaction needed. This extends pickup hours beyond store closing times.

Integration with Grocery and Fresh Foods

Grocery BOPIS is massive. Walmart, Target, Kroger, and Whole Foods all offer grocery pickup. This requires cold storage and specialized handling, but the convenience is unmatched for busy families.

Same-Day Delivery as a Hybrid

Some retailers now offer "pickup or same-day delivery" at checkout. You choose based on urgency and convenience. This flexibility is becoming the standard.

More Curbside, Less In-Store

Curbside pickup grew 300%+ during 2020-2021 and remains popular. Expect retailers to expand curbside capacity with more stalls, faster service, and even drive-thru lanes for pickup.

Voice and Smart Assistant Ordering

"Alexa, order my usual from Target for pickup today." Voice-based ordering with pickup fulfillment is coming, making BOPIS even more frictionless.

Frequently Asked Questions About BOPIS

What does BOPIS stand for?

BOPIS stands for "Buy Online, Pick Up In Store." It's a retail fulfillment method where customers purchase items online and collect them at a physical store location, usually within hours.

Is BOPIS the same as curbside pickup?

Not exactly. BOPIS is the general term for buying online and picking up in-store. Curbside pickup is a specific type of BOPIS where staff bring your order to your car in the parking lot—you never enter the store. So all curbside is BOPIS, but not all BOPIS is curbside.

Do I have to pay extra for BOPIS?

Usually no. Most retailers offer BOPIS for free as an alternative to paid shipping. Some charge a small fee ($1-$3) for same-day pickup, but it's typically less than shipping costs. Always check at checkout—many retailers promote "free store pickup."

How long does it take for my BOPIS order to be ready?

Ready times vary by retailer and time of day. Target and Walmart typically promise 1-2 hours during normal hours. Best Buy offers 1-hour pickup. During busy periods (holidays, evenings), it might take 3-4 hours. You'll receive a notification when your order is ready.

What happens if I don't pick up my BOPIS order?

If you don't pick up within the hold window (usually 3-7 days depending on the retailer), your order is automatically canceled and you receive a full refund. The items go back into store inventory. There are no restocking fees or penalties for not picking up.

Can someone else pick up my BOPIS order?

Yes, most retailers allow proxy pickup. The person picking up needs your order confirmation (email or text) and a valid photo ID. Some retailers (like Best Buy) also require the credit card used for purchase. Check your confirmation email for specific requirements.

Do I need my ID to pick up a BOPIS order?

Yes, nearly all retailers require a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport) to prevent fraud and verify you're the correct person. They'll also want your order number or confirmation barcode.

Can I return or exchange a BOPIS order at pickup?

Yes, most retailers allow you to return or exchange items immediately at pickup if there's an issue (wrong item, changed your mind, etc.). This is actually an advantage of BOPIS—instant resolution instead of shipping returns back. Check the retailer's specific return policy for details.

Is BOPIS available at all store locations?

Not always. When you shop online, the site will show which nearby stores offer pickup and have your item in stock. Smaller or older locations might not have pickup capability. Urban and suburban stores are most likely to offer BOPIS.

What's the difference between BOPIS and ship-to-store?

BOPIS uses inventory already at the store—you order online, staff grab it from the shelf, you pick it up same-day or next-day. Ship-to-store means the item is shipped from a warehouse to the store first, then you pick it up—this takes 3-7 days, like regular shipping, but you don't pay shipping fees.

Can I use BOPIS for grocery shopping?

Yes! Grocery BOPIS (or "grocery pickup") is huge at Walmart, Target, Kroger, Whole Foods, and regional chains. You order groceries online, they're picked and staged (refrigerated if needed), and you pick them up curbside, usually within a few hours. Some retailers charge a small fee; others are free over a minimum order amount.

Is BOPIS faster than Amazon delivery?

Often yes, especially for same-day needs. Amazon Prime is typically 1-2 days. BOPIS is usually ready in 1-4 hours. If you need something immediately and there's a store nearby, BOPIS wins on speed. However, Amazon is more convenient if you're not near a store or don't want to leave home.

Making the Most of BOPIS in 2025

BOPIS represents the best of both worlds: online shopping convenience meets instant gratification. Whether you're a shopper looking for faster, cheaper ways to get what you need, or a retailer trying to compete with Amazon, BOPIS is a powerful tool.

Here are your key takeaways:

  • BOPIS means Buy Online, Pick Up In Store—order online, collect at a physical location within hours
  • It saves money (no shipping fees), saves time (same-day fulfillment), and reduces risk (no porch theft)
  • Major retailers like Target, Walmart, and Best Buy have invested heavily in BOPIS infrastructure because it drives sales and lowers costs
  • Curbside pickup is a type of BOPIS where staff bring orders to your car—popular post-pandemic and here to stay
  • Good BOPIS requires accurate inventory, fast order prep, clear communication, and smooth pickup experiences
  • The future is bright: automated lockers, grocery expansion, voice ordering, and same-day delivery hybrids

For shoppers: Next time you're ordering online, check if pickup is available. You might get your purchase today instead of waiting days, all while avoiding shipping fees.

For retailers: If you're not offering BOPIS yet, you're leaving money on the table. Start small—enable pickup at your busiest location, test the process, gather feedback, then expand.

Continue Learning:

Launch BOPIS the Right Way

Get our BOPIS Holiday Ops Kit with everything you need: setup guides, policy templates, signage pack, staffing calculators, and training materials. Implement BOPIS in days, not months.

Get the Complete BOPIS Ops Kit – $29

Perfect for indie retailers and DTC brands launching pickup for Holiday 2025.