Last week I needed to grab a Sunday New York Times for the crossword puzzle (yeah, I’m old school), and I realized I had no idea which stores near me actually still sell newspapers.
So I did what any curious person would do – I spent two days calling and visiting stores to find out who still carries physical newspapers in 2026.
Turns out? It’s way more complicated than it used to be. Some stores stopped carrying them entirely, others only stock local papers, and several told me “we sold out by 8am on Sundays.”
Here’s everything I learned, plus the easiest ways to actually get a newspaper in 2026 without driving to five different stores.
Table of Contents
Quick Answer: Easiest Ways to Get Newspapers in 2026
- Fastest: Order through Instacart or Amazon for same-day delivery.
- Most reliable: CVS, Walgreens, 7-Eleven (if they’re in stock).
- Best selection: Barnes & Noble (national papers only).
- Cheapest for Sunday papers: Dollar stores ($1.25).
- For daily delivery: Subscribe directly from newspaper websites.
The Reality of Buying Newspapers in 2026
Before I get into where to buy them, here’s what you need to know: physical newspaper sales are way down, and many stores have cut back or stopped carrying them entirely.
Fun fact: The first newspaper was printed in Strasbourg, Germany in 1605 by Johan Carolus!
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When I called my local Walmart, the associate said “We stopped selling newspapers last year – nobody was buying them.” Target told me the same thing.
But here’s the good news: plenty of places still sell them, you just need to know where to look (and when to go).
Modern Ways to Get Newspapers (Easiest Options First)
1. Get Newspapers Delivered Through Instacart
I didn’t know you could order newspaper through Instacart until recently. Instacart now delivers newspapers from stores like CVS, Walgreens, and some grocery stores.
What I tested: I ordered a New York Times through Instacart from CVS. It arrived in 45 minutes with my groceries.
Cost: Same newspaper price + Instacart delivery fee (usually $3.99 for orders over $35, or $9.99 for smaller orders)
Pro tip: Add other items to your order to qualify for lower delivery fees. I grabbed milk and coffee so my delivery was only $3.99.
2. Subscribe for Home Delivery
If you want newspapers regularly, subscribing is actually cheaper than buying individual copies.
Current 2026 subscription prices I found:
- New York Times: Digital + Sunday print = $8/week
- Wall Street Journal: Print weekdays + weekend = $8.25/week
- Washington Post: Digital = $4/month (first year), then $10/month
- Local papers: Varies – my local paper is $12/month for Sundays only
My take: If you’re buying the Sunday paper every week at $4-5 each, subscription saves you money AND it shows up at your door before you wake up.
3. Order on Amazon
Yes, Amazon sells newspapers now. You can order single issues or subscribe.
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What they have: Mostly major publications like NYT, WSJ, USA Today
Delivery: Usually next-day, sometimes same-day in major cities
Physical Stores That Still Sell Newspapers Near You (My Test Results)
I called and visited 15 stores to see what they actually carry.
Here’s what I found:
Most Reliable: Pharmacies & Convenience Stores
CVS
What I found: All three CVS locations I checked had newspapers. They stock local papers plus NYT, WSJ, and USA Today.
Stock issues: Sunday papers sell out by 10am at busy locations
Best for: Last-minute newspaper runs
Walgreens
What I found: Similar to CVS – good selection, but Sundays sell out fast
Tip: Call ahead on Sunday mornings if you want a specific paper
7-Eleven
What I found: Hit or miss. Some locations had full newspaper stands, others had none
Advantage: Open 24/7, so you can grab late-night or early-morning papers
Best Selection: Bookstores
Barnes & Noble
What I found: The BEST selection I saw – NYT, WSJ, Washington Post, LA Times, Financial Times, plus regional papers
Why it’s good: They actually want to sell newspapers (unlike gas stations that treat them as an afterthought)
Downside: Not as many locations as CVS/Walgreens
Best for Sunday Papers on a Budget: Dollar Stores
Dollar Tree
What I found: Sunday papers for $1.25 (same paper costs $4-5 at CVS)
Catch: Limited selection – usually just local papers and maybe USA Today
Stock: They get a small shipment and sell out FAST
Dollar General
Price: Sunday papers around $1.50-$2
Gas Stations (Your Mileage May Vary)
I tested 5 different gas station chains. Here’s what actually had newspapers:
Reliable:
- Shell – 3 out of 4 locations had newspapers
- BP – 2 out of 3 locations had them
- Circle K – 1 out of 2 had them
Hit or miss:
- Exxon – Only 1 out of 3 locations carried newspapers
- Sunoco – None of the 2 I checked had newspapers
My advice: Call ahead if you’re specifically going to a gas station for a newspaper. Many have stopped carrying them.
Grocery Stores
This was the biggest surprise, most grocery stores I checked either stopped carrying newspapers or only have local papers.
Still carrying newspapers:
- Kroger – Local papers only at most locations
- Safeway – Local + some national papers
- Publix – Good selection in Florida stores I checked
- H-E-B – Texas stores still have good selection
Stopped carrying newspapers (or very limited):
- Walmart (most locations stopped in 2024-2025)
- Target (never carried them consistently)
- Albertsons (varies by location)
Where to Buy SPECIFIC Newspapers
Where to Buy the New York Times
Best options:
- Barnes & Noble (most reliable in my testing)
- CVS/Walgreens in major cities
- Instacart delivery from CVS/Walgreens
- Amazon same-day delivery
- NYT home delivery subscription – $8/week for digital + Sunday print
Where to Buy the Wall Street Journal
Best options:
- Barnes & Noble
- Major CVS/Walgreens locations
- WSJ home delivery – $8.25/week for weekday + weekend delivery
Where to Buy Local/Regional Newspapers
Most reliable:
- Dollar stores (cheapest option)
- Local CVS/Walgreens
- Gas stations in the region
- Grocery stores
- Direct subscription from your local newspaper
Where to Buy Sunday Newspapers (Best Deals)
Sunday papers are still the most popular because of the coupons and bigger news sections.
Cheapest places I found:
- Dollar Tree: $1.25 (cheapest, but limited stock)
- Dollar General: $1.50-$2
- Family Dollar: $2-$2.50
- CVS/Walgreens: $3.50-$5 depending on the paper
Pro tip: If you’re buying Sunday papers for the coupons, subscribing often comes with better coupon inserts than newsstand copies. Many stores get “abbreviated” Sunday editions with fewer coupons.
Where to Get Newspapers for FREE
Need newspapers for packing or craft projects?
Here’s where to get them free:
- Coffee shops – Many put out free local papers
- Libraries – Ask if they have old papers they’re discarding
- Recycling centers – Call ahead and ask
- Craigslist Free section – People give away old newspapers all the time
- Facebook Marketplace – Search “free newspapers”
- OfferUp – Same as above
- Friends/family – Just ask – most people throw them away
For more ways to get free newspapers, check out my guide on where to get free newspapers for packing.
Best Times to Buy Newspapers (When to Go)
Based on what store employees told me:
Sunday papers:
- Most stores receive Sunday papers early Sunday morning (5-7am)
- Popular locations (CVS, Walgreens, Barnes & Noble) sell out by 10am-noon
- Dollar stores sell out fastest (by 11am)
- Best time: Go before 9am or call ahead to have them hold one
Weekday papers:
- Easier to find
- Most stores stock until mid-afternoon
Price Comparison: Where’s Cheapest?
Store | Sunday Paper (Local) | New York Times |
|---|---|---|
Dollar Tree | $1.25 | Not available |
Dollar General | $1.50-$2 | Not available |
CVS/Walgreens | $3.50-$4 | $5-$6 |
Grocery stores | $3.50-$4 | Rarely available |
Barnes & Noble | $4 | $6 |
Gas stations | $4-$5 | Rarely available |
FAQs About Buying Newspapers in 2026
Okay, so in this section, I just want to answer a few common questions that people have about purchasing newspapers.
Some grocery stores like Walgreens, Walmart, and Kroger sell newspapers.
Most Walmart stores stopped selling newspapers in 2024-2025. I called 4 locations and none of them carry newspapers anymore. Your best bet is CVS, Walgreens, or dollar stores nearby.
No, Target does not sell newspapers and never consistently has.
Based on what store employees told me: most stores receive Sunday papers early Sunday morning (5-7am). Popular papers at busy locations sell out by 10am-noon. If you want a specific Sunday paper, go early or call to have them hold one.
In 2026, Sunday newspapers cost:
Dollar stores: $1.25-$2
CVS/Walgreens: $3.50-$5
Gas stations: $4-$5
Subscription (per week): $4-$8 depending on the paper
Yes! You have three options:
Subscribe directly from the newspaper (NYT, WSJ, local papers all offer delivery)
Use Instacart to deliver from CVS/Walgreens (same-day)
Order on Amazon for next-day delivery
For bulk newspapers (like for packing):
Contact your local newspaper directly – they often sell day-old papers cheap
Ask at recycling centers
Post on Craigslist that you’re looking for old newspapers
Ask local businesses (salons, doctors’ offices) if you can take their old papers
Yes, most CVS stores in major cities carry the New York Times. Smaller town locations may only stock local papers. Call ahead to confirm your specific store has it.
If you want Sunday papers specifically for coupons, buy from:
Dollar stores (cheapest)
CVS/Walgreens
Subscribe to Sunday-only delivery from your local paper
Important: Newsstand copies sometimes have fewer coupon inserts than home delivery subscriptions.
My Recommendation: The Easiest Way to Get Newspapers in 2026
After all my testing, here’s what I actually do now:
For Sunday papers: I subscribed to Sunday-only delivery from my local paper ($12/month). It shows up before I wake up, has all the coupons, and I don’t have to drive anywhere.
For occasional papers: I order through Instacart when I’m already getting groceries delivered. Add a New York Times to my order and it costs me nothing extra in delivery fees.
For quick needs: CVS is 2 blocks away and always has newspapers (as long as I go before 10am on Sundays).
My advice: Don’t assume stores have newspapers anymore. Call ahead if you need a specific paper. And seriously consider a subscription if you buy papers regularly – it’s cheaper and way more convenient.
The Complete Store List (Alphabetical)
Here are all the stores that might sell newspapers near you, listed alphabetically.
Remember: availability varies by location, so call ahead.
Pharmacies & Convenience Stores:
- 7-Eleven – Find stores
- Circle K – Find stores
- CVS – Find stores
- Rite Aid – Find stores
- Walgreens – Find stores
Dollar Stores:
- Dollar General – Find stores
- Dollar Tree – Find stores
- Family Dollar – Find stores
Grocery Stores:
- Albertsons (limited) – Find stores
- Cub Foods – Find stores
- Fred Meyer – Find stores
- Giant Eagle – Find stores
- H-E-B (Texas) – Find stores
- Kroger – Find stores
- Piggly Wiggly – Find stores
- Publix – Find stores
- Safeway – Find stores
- Schnucks – Find stores
- ShopRite – Find stores
- Vons – Find stores
Gas Stations (call ahead):
- BP – Find stores
- Casey’s General Store – Find stores
- Circle K – Find stores
- Citgo – Find stores
- Conoco – Find stores
- Cumberland Farms – Find stores
- Exxon Mobil – Find stores
- Shell – Find stores
- Speedway – Find stores
- Sunoco – Find stores
- Valero – Find stores
Bookstores:
- Barnes & Noble – Find stores
Bottom Line
Buying newspapers locally in 2026 isn’t as easy as it used to be. Many stores stopped carrying them, and the ones that do often sell out of popular editions by mid-morning.
Your best bets are pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens), dollar stores for cheap Sunday papers, or just subscribing for home delivery if you read newspapers regularly.
And honestly?
The Instacart option is a great if you’re already ordering groceries. No extra trip, no wondering if they’re in stock, and it shows up with your milk and eggs.
The days of grabbing any newspaper at any store are over, but with a little planning (and this guide), you can still get your hands on physical newspapers in 2026.
Because Newspapers Register no longer available on Bigy?
Why can’t stores sell newspapers with my Instacart order?
To be honest I didn’t even know this was a thing. And if it is true, I am not sure why they wouldn’t allow it.