If it's happening in all worlds, it sounds like the game maybe glitched?
Have you tried a Factory Reset?
Move your Sims 3 folder to the desktop or some where safe, and rename it something like Sims 3 Current. Click the Sims 3 icon to create a new Sims 3 folder.
Go To: ----> My Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 3
Before doing the factory reset, save a copy of your family to the export folder. So you can use them in a new game if you want.
After the factory reset, copy over your Options.ini -- (Video and game options) file. Create a new game to test, to see if the grocery store still has problems. If the grocery store works like normal. That may mean that your other game could be glitched.
If that's the case, it may be worth taking your family and playing them in a new game?
MrsFlynn