I never understood shopping for clothes in the Sims 4 because of that. "I picked out all the outfits I want my Sim to wear. I can even give them multiple. why would I send them shopping?" I really never understood in-game shopping for pretty much anything one can easily get in CAS or Build/Buy. The only thing my Sims ever go out to buy via gameplay are vet treats because I don't have a Sim in every household learn how to craft every single one of the things.
So, if they ever do bring grocery stores, they should probably edit the fridges so they are not always stocked as long as you have the funds. Clothing stores should have some sort of "necessary" function as well. Clothing shopping for when you Sims age up sounds like a good idea. They are always given random clothes when they age up, so you pretty much always go into CAS to give them a whole new wardrobe. Change it so your Sims have to actually go clothing shopping for their children. Make it possible for your Sim to take another Sim out clothing shopping so you can give your poor generated townie friend a brand new wardrobe... or at least a new everyday outfit. Not all Sims are made of simoleons.