Curbside pickup innovations have quietly reshaped how Americans shop—because they solve the one thing everyone wants more of: time. A great curbside or BOPIS (buy online, pick up in store) experience feels almost invisible: you order in seconds, get a clear “ready” notification, park in a marked spot, check in with a tap, and your bags show up without confusion.
A frustrating one does the opposite—unclear instructions, long waits, wrong substitutions, or a return process that turns into another errand. That’s why retailers are investing in smarter click and collect flows, faster order pickup promises, and even drive-up curbside returns that keep shoppers in their cars.
In this guide, you’ll find 12 upgrades U.S. shoppers consistently respond to—features that reduce steps, remove uncertainty, and make store pickup feel as convenient as delivery (without the delivery fees). Whether you’re a shopper choosing where to buy, or a retailer improving the experience, these innovations reveal what “easy pickup” actually looks like.
Key takeaways
- The best curbside pickup innovations remove steps at the two most stressful moments: arrival and handoff.
- Returns are now part of the curbside battleground—drive-up returns and paperless returns directly protect loyalty.
- Speed matters, but certainty matters more: one-hour pickup and scheduled pickup windows are powerful because they set expectations.
- Operational automation is the quiet advantage: shoppers may not “see” it, but they feel it in fewer delays and better accuracy.
Why these curbside pickup innovations matter to U.S. shoppers
Curbside and BOPIS (buy online, pick up in store) only feel “easy” when the process removes three pain points: time, uncertainty, and extra steps. The curbside pickup innovations shoppers love most don’t just add features—they make the whole handoff feel predictable: you know when the order will be ready, where to go, and what to do next, without calling anyone or wandering the store.
Here’s the shopper logic in plain terms:
| What shoppers want | What usually goes wrong | The innovation that fixes it |
| Speed | “Ready” times slip; long parking-lot waits | One-hour pickup promises + better staging/automation |
| Certainty | Confusing instructions; no clear pickup window | App check-in + scheduled time slots |
| Low effort | Too many taps, calls, and receipts | CarPlay pickup, one-tap check-in links, paperless returns |
| Flexibility | Only the buyer can pick up; missed windows | Delegated pickup + clearly defined pickup windows |
| Trust (especially grocery) | Bad substitutions; missing items | Substitution controls and clearer item handling |
| Easy returns | Returns require another trip inside | Drive-up returns / curbside returns |
Below are 12 innovations that consistently improve the click and collect experience in the U.S.—with real examples from major retailers and a practical “what to copy” mindset.
At-a-glance: the 12 innovations (and why shoppers like them)
| Innovation | Why shoppers love it | Best for |
| In-car pickup (Apple CarPlay) | Fewer phone taps; easier navigation + arrival | Big-box curbside |
| Drive-up returns | Returns without going inside | Apparel, household, general merch |
| Paperless returns via app barcode | No receipt stress; faster counter experience | High-frequency shoppers |
| “I’m on my way / I’ve parked” check-in | Less waiting; fewer missed handoffs | Grocery + general merch |
| Spot-number + vehicle details | Associates find you faster; fewer wrong-car moments | Busy curbside lots |
| One-hour pickup promise | Feels “instant”; beats shipping | Electronics + urgent needs |
| Delegated pickup (authorized pickup person) | Let’s family/friends pick up; more flexible | Gifts, caregivers, workday pickups |
| Scheduled pickup time slots | Predictable windows; less line/wait | Grocery BOPIS |
| Add-ons at pickup (e.g., Starbucks add-on) | Combines errands into one stop | Big-box + foodservice |
| Substitution controls for grocery pickup | Less disappointment; more trust | Grocery pickup |
| SNAP EBT online pickup support | Expands access; more inclusive BOPIS | Grocery + essentials |
| Micro-fulfillment / automation for pickup speed | Better in-stock + faster staging | High-volume retailers |
1) In-car curbside pickup with Apple CarPlay integration
When the pickup journey moves onto the dashboard, it reduces last-mile friction: shoppers can confirm the store, navigate, and follow pickup prompts without juggling their phone. Target has publicly positioned CarPlay access to the Target app as a convenience boost for Drive Up and Pickup.
Why shoppers love it: fewer steps during the “I’m driving / parking / finding the spot” phase—exactly where small annoyances feel biggest.
2) Drive-up returns that work like curbside pickup
Returns are where loyalty often dies. Drive-up returns flip that: you don’t have to park, walk in, and stand in line. Target highlights Drive Up returns inside its own returns experience.
Why it wins: it turns “ugh, I need to return this” into “I’ll do it on my next pickup run.”
3) Paperless returns using an in-app barcode
Shoppers lose receipts. Screenshots get buried. Paperless returns using an app barcode (often shown in a Wallet area) remove that pain. Target specifically calls out using a Wallet barcode for in-store returns without a paper receipt.
4) “I’m on my way” and “I’ve parked” check-in (no phone calls)
The best curbside pickup experiences feel like airport pickup: you announce your timing, and the handoff is ready when you arrive. Walmart’s pickup help flow describes app or message-link check-in with “I’m on my way” and “I’ve parked.”
Why shoppers love it: it reduces “waiting in the lot” uncertainty and speeds up the handoff.
5) Parking-spot + vehicle details to prevent mis-handoffs
This sounds tiny, but it’s huge at busy stores: spot number, vehicle color, and sometimes a car type dramatically cut the “We can’t find you” problem. Walmart explicitly instructs customers to enter the spot number and vehicle color.
Result: faster curbside, fewer mistakes, less awkward back-and-forth.
6) One-hour pickup as the default expectation (when inventory allows)
For electronics, last-minute gifts, or “my charger died,” shoppers don’t want shipping—they want now. Best Buy promotes one-hour pickup for many items as part of Fast Store Pickup.
Why shoppers love it: it makes BOPIS feel like teleportation—order online, pick up in store, done.
7) Delegated pickup: letting someone else pick up your order
Modern households run on delegation. If your partner is already driving past the store, why can’t they grab the order? Best Buy supports pickup by someone else by collecting that person’s info during checkout and requiring ID/order details at pickup.
Why it matters: it turns BOPIS into a shared family workflow—one of the most underrated click and collect upgrades.
8) Scheduled pickup time slots (and clear windows)
Grocery pickup collapses without scheduling: too many arrivals at once, long waits, stressed staff. Kroger’s pickup FAQs describe a one-hour pickup window and explain what happens if you miss it.
Why shoppers love it: predictability. It feels like booking a service, not hoping for the best.
9) Add-ons at curbside: “combine two errands into one stop”
The most loved innovations often aren’t “techy”—they’re errand reducers. Target’s Drive Up with Starbucks rollout is a perfect example: shoppers can add Starbucks items to a Drive Up order through the app flow.
Why shoppers love it: one parking stop, one handoff, two needs solved.
10) Substitution controls that protect the grocery trust
Substitutions can either save an order or ruin it. Letting customers preselect substitution preferences (or opt out) reduces disappointment and increases confidence in grocery BOPIS. Walmart’s SNAP Online page calls out “Preselect substitutions.”
Why shoppers love it: fewer surprises in the trunk—especially for dietary needs and household staples.
11) SNAP EBT support for online pickup (access and inclusion)
A major “innovation” shoppers appreciate is simply being able to use the service. SNAP online purchasing has expanded over time, with USDA/FNS materials discussing the online purchasing program and growth in retailer participation. Walmart also states it accepts EBT SNAP and EBT Cash for online transactions, including pickup (where available).
Why shoppers love it: it makes curbside pickup and delivery options accessible to more households—real-life convenience, not premium convenience.
12) Automation that improves “ready time,” accuracy, and in-stock rates
Shoppers may never see the robotics, but they feel the outcomes: fewer “out of stock” texts, fewer delays, and faster staging. Walmart’s work to automate Accelerated Pickup and Delivery centers (APDs) with Symbotic has been described in industry coverage and Symbotic’s own announcement.
Why shoppers love it: it attacks the biggest curbside pain points—speed and reliability—at the operational level.
Quick implementation: what retailers should prioritize first
| If your biggest problem is… | Prioritize these innovations |
| Long curbside waits | Better check-in flow + spot/vehicle details + staging automation |
| Low BOPIS adoption | One-hour pickup where possible + clear time slots |
| Return friction | Drive-up returns + paperless barcode returns |
| Customer service complaints about substitutions | Substitution controls + clearer item-level communication |
| Accessibility barriers | SNAP EBT online pickup support + simple check-in links Walmart.com+1 |
Curbside vs. BOPIS vs. pickup lockers: which option fits which shopper?
Even though we are focusing on BOPIS and curbside pickup innovations, it helps to clarify the three most common pickup experiences shoppers see in the U.S. Because the “best” option depends on what you’re buying, how fast you need it, and whether you want to step inside the store.
| Pickup method | What it means | Why shoppers choose it | Best for |
| Curbside pickup | You check in after arrival, and an associate brings the order to your car | Lowest effort, weather-friendly, great for families | Grocery pickup, bulky items, quick errands |
| BOPIS (Buy Online, Pick Up In Store) | You place the order online and pick it up inside at a counter/desk | Often faster in crowded lots; convenient if you’re already going inside | Smaller baskets, mall stores, errands near checkout |
| Pickup lockers | You scan a code to retrieve your order from a locker | Self-serve speed and minimal interaction | Grab-and-go items, commuters, off-peak pickup |
What shoppers judge in the first 60 seconds of pickup
The moment a shopper pulls into the parking lot, the curbside experience either feels effortless—or instantly annoying. Most curbside pickup innovations that shoppers genuinely love solve one of these “first minute” problems:
1) Clarity: “Where do I go, and what do I do?”
If the store makes pickup signage and instructions obvious, shoppers relax. If they’re circling the lot, they get irritated fast. The best systems guide you to a marked pickup area and prompt you to check in (often with steps like “I’m on my way” and “I’ve parked,” plus spot details).
2) Confidence: “Is my order actually ready?”
A “ready for pickup” message is only helpful if it’s true. Clear pickup windows and structured scheduling help shoppers trust the process—especially for grocery, where timing affects freshness.
3) Control: “Can I prevent surprises?”
For grocery pickup, surprises often mean substitutions. When shoppers can set substitution preferences, the experience feels less risky and more personalized.
Grocery pickup is different (and that’s why some innovations matter more here)
Grocery BOPIS and curbside pickup come with extra complexity: cold items, fragile items, and “if it’s out of stock, what happens?” This is why grocery-focused curbside pickup innovations tend to cluster around time windows and substitution controls.
- Scheduled pickup windows reduce long waits and help stores stage orders closer to arrival—so frozen and refrigerated items stay in better condition.
- Substitution preferences give shoppers more control, reducing frustration when a favorite brand is missing.
For groceries, the ‘best pickup experience’ is the one that protects freshness and prevents surprises.
Common curbside pickup mistakes (and how the best systems avoid them)
Adding curbside pickup is easy. Making it feel effortless is the hard part. Here are the mistakes shoppers notice most—plus the innovations that fix them.
Mistake 1: “I’m here… now what?”
Fix: Structured check-in prompts and clear instructions (app check-in, spot number, vehicle info).
Mistake 2: “My order says ready, but I’m still waiting”
Fix: Better staging and operational improvements, including automation that reduces delays and improves handoff reliability.
Mistake 3: “Returns are such a hassle that I’ll avoid buying”
Fix: Curbside returns (drive-up returns) and paperless return tools like app barcodes that reduce the “receipt” problem.
Mistake 4: “Grocery substitutions ruined my order”
Fix: Substitution controls that let shoppers preselect options or opt out of substitutions.
FAQ: Curbside + BOPIS questions shoppers ask most
1) What’s the difference between curbside pickup and BOPIS?
BOPIS means buy online, pick up in store—often you walk inside to a pickup counter or locker. Curbside pickup is a BOPIS option where the order is brought to your car after you check in (click and collect, drive-up style). Many retailers support both experiences under “order pickup” or “store pickup.”
2) How does curbside check-in usually work?
Most retailers use an app (or a link in a text/email) to let you tap “I’m on my way,” then “I’ve parked,” and enter a spot number and vehicle details so staff can find you.
3) Can someone else pick up my order for me?
Often, yes. Many retailers let you designate an alternate pickup person during checkout, then require that person to show ID and provide the order details at pickup.
4) Why do some grocery pickups require a scheduled time slot?
Because pickup is a staffing and staging puzzle. Time slots smooth demand so your order is ready, cold items stay cold, and the parking lot doesn’t turn into a bottleneck. Kroger, for example, describes pickup as a one-hour arrival window.
5) Are curbside returns actually faster than going inside?
When they’re designed well, yes—because you skip the counter line entirely. Retailers that support drive-up returns treat returns like a curbside handoff instead of a separate store visit.
6) What’s a realistic “next big thing” in pickup for 2026?
Expect more “store-as-fulfillment” speed plays (including pilots aiming for one-hour pickup at scale) and deeper automation that improves pickup readiness and accuracy. Reuters reported Amazon is developing a one-hour “rush” pickup concept with a pilot expected in early 2026 (timing could change).
Final thoughts: Best Curbside Pickup Innovations
The best curbside pickup innovations don’t feel like “innovations” at all—they feel like common sense. Shoppers reward the retailers that make pickup predictable: clear readiness times, simple check-in, fast handoffs, and returns that don’t require another trip inside. When those basics are smooth, extras like in-car integration, add-ons at pickup, and smarter fulfillment automation become real differentiators instead of gimmicks.
If there’s one takeaway to carry into 2026, it’s this: curbside and BOPIS win when they reduce friction at the last 200 feet—the parking spot, the handoff, and the “what happens next” moment. Retailers that keep simplifying those touchpoints will keep turning first-time pickup users into habitual click and collect shoppers.
