Embodiments relate to database systems. An aspect includes deferring row insert operations until occurrence of a triggering event. One method includes receiving a row insert for a tuple into a column group store table, where the tuple includes one or more tuplets and each of the tuplets corresponds to a column group in the column group store table. The method also includes copying at least one of the tuplets into an insert buffer that is specific to one of the column groups in the column group store table. The method also includes deferring the row insert into the column group store table until an occurrence of one or more triggering events. The method also includes flushing the row insert into storage associated with the column group store table, in response to the occurrence of the one or more triggering events.