Pickup? Pick Up?

Picking the Right One:

The difference is not just a matter of personal preference. Each form means a different thing.

Pickup (one word)
- Can be a noun:
  - Buy online; pickup in-store
  - Select pickup during checkout
  - Your order is ready for pickup
- Can be an adjective, modifying another noun:
  - Your pickup location is on 21st Drive
  - Pickup orders are processed quickly
Pick Up (two words) is a verb:
- Use it when you are instructing a person to literally lift up or retrieve something:
  - Pick up your order after 10am
  - You can pick up the microscope, or we can ship it to you
  - The customer decided to pick up their order at the warehouse
Pick-Up (hyphenated)
- This form is outdated
- Use pickup or pick up instead — depending on the context

Each form means something different.

In-Store (hyphenated)
- Used as a compound adjective, meaning it modifies a noun
- If you're describing a feature or characteristic of a noun, use "in-store" (hyphenated)
In Store (two words)
- Typically used as an adverbial phrase, meaning it modifies a verb
- If you're describing where an action happens, use "in store" (two words)

Identify the "thing" you're talking about (order pickup, an event, a purchase, lamination, or a promotion).

If the thing comes later in the sentence, use in-store (hyphenated):
- We offer in-store pickup
- Join us for this in-store event on Saturday
- This promotion is for in-store purchases only*
If the thing comes first in the sentence, use in store (two words):
- Lamination is available in store
- The promotion is only valid in store*

* The promotion examples are tricky!

In the first example the "thing" that's in the store is actually the purchase (not the promotion), which comes after the word "in-store"
In the second example the "thing" that's in the store is the promotion, which comes before the phrase "in store"

How does it sound when you substitute "in the store"?

If it sounds clunky or a little wordy, use in-store (hyphenated):
- We offer in the store pickup
- Join us for this in the store event on Saturday
- This promotion is for in the store purchases only
If it sounds right, use in store (two words):
- Lamination is available in the store
- The promotion is only valid in the store

Sometimes "in the store" is actually better than either one!