Does buying lamb from the butcher count as qurbani?

Why ready-cut meat isn't qurbani

Qurbani (udhiyah) is an act of worship, and the worship is the sacrifice itself, not owning meat. Allah says:

Lamb chops in a shop were slaughtered at another time, for trade, not as your sacrifice. Buying them on Eid day doesn't change that.

What makes a qurbani valid

• A whole animal or a full share. One sheep or goat per qurbani, or a one-seventh share of a cow or camel.
• The right age. The Prophet ﷺ told people to sacrifice a mature animal, and allowed a younger sheep (a jadha'ah) when a mature one was hard to find (Sahih Muslim 1963). Scholars generally set about one year for goats and six months to a year for sheep, depending on the school.
• A healthy animal. It shouldn't be clearly blind in one eye, clearly sick, clearly lame, or extremely thin.
• The right time. After the Eid prayer on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah until the end of the days of sacrifice. The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever slaughters before the prayer has only provided meat for his family; it isn't the sacrifice (Sahih al-Bukhari 5545).
• Intention. The animal is sacrificed as qurbani for you, by you or by someone you've authorized.

See What is qurbani and do I have to do it?

Using a local butcher the right way

Some halal butchers in the UK, Europe and the USA take qurbani orders. You pay for a specific whole animal (or share), they slaughter it at a licensed abattoir during the days of Eid, and you collect the meat. That works, because they're acting as your agent. Ask them clearly: "Is this slaughtered as my qurbani, after the Eid prayer?" If they only sell cuts, it isn't qurbani. See How is halal meat slaughtered?

Still worth buying meat?

Of course. Buying lamb to cook a big Eid meal or to give to neighbors is a good deed and part of the celebration. It just counts as regular charity or hospitality, not as your sacrifice. You can also book a qurbani on behalf of a loved one who has died. See Can I do qurbani for someone who died?