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Can you own stock in the stores you shop at?

Yes, if the store is owned by a public company. Here's what owning a stock means, how fractional shares work, and how Grifin buys stock where you shop.

Many of the stores you shop at are owned by public companies, so you can own a small piece of them. Here's how that works.

What owning a stock means

Owning a stock means you own a small part of a company. The value of your shares goes up and down with the stock price, and you can get back less than you put in.

Fractional shares: own part of a share

You don't have to buy a whole share. With fractional shares, you can own part of one. That makes it possible to own a little of many companies instead of a lot of one.

How Grifin buys stock where you shop

Grifin connects to the cards you already use. When you shop at one of the public companies on Grifin, Grifin buys a little of that company's stock for you, with your own money. Shop at Starbucks, automatically buy their stock. See how to get started.

The stocks Grifin members own most often

Walmart, Amazon and Apple are the stocks Grifin members own most often.

The most-owned stocks on Grifin: Walmart, Amazon, Apple, McDonald's, PayPal, Target, Shell, Yum! Brands, Starbucks and CVS.

Can I buy stock in a store I shop at?

Yes, if the store is owned by a public company. Public companies have shares that trade on a stock exchange, and anyone with a brokerage account can buy them.

What is a fractional share?

A fractional share is part of one share of stock. Instead of buying a whole share, you own a piece of one, and your piece moves up and down with the stock just like a whole share does.

What if the store isn't a public company?

Then there's no stock to buy. Grifin only buys stock in public companies on Grifin, so a purchase at a private business doesn't buy any stock.

Do I pick the stocks?

Where you shop decides what Grifin buys. You can block any company in the app, and Grifin will stop buying its stock. Blocking doesn't sell stock you already own.

Is Grifin free?

No. Grifin is a paid membership, charged separately from your investments. See current pricing.

Further reading

Bo StarrPublished Nov 10, 2026 · 3 min read

Bo Starr is the Co-CEO of Grifin, the app that lets you buy stock where you shop. He writes about investing basics for people getting started for the first time.

All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of money you invest, and past performance does not guarantee future performance.

All corporate logos and prices are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. Company names are used for illustration only.

Grifin is a paid membership, charged separately from your investments. See current pricing.

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