Which is Best For Online Grocery Shopping?
Many online grocery stores now offer quality items at prices that are more affordable than your typical grocery store. To determine which is the best option, I tested several well-known services to find ones that offer variety, quality brands and reasonable prices, along with easy delivery or pick-up options.
Online shopping is all about planning your list and making sure you’ve booked your delivery time before it gets full. You’ll also have to be prepared to make changes according to availability.
1. Instacart
This online grocery delivery service allows you to order on an app or website, creating an online shopping cart that is fulfilled by an individual shopper on a specific day. Instacart is a partner with more than 1400 national regional, local, and retail banners to deliver groceries from 80,000+ stores across North America. You can also find stores with membership only, such as Costco and Sam’s Club, on the platform.
Instacart’s fees include the $2.99 same-day delivery fee and an additional $3.99 service charge (plus a tip for the customer). These prices are similar to those you would pay at your local grocery store. However, you won’t need to drive to park, sit in a parking lot, or wait in a the line. Instacart offers a year-long membership to customers who shop at least 14 times in a year. This will help you save money on service and delivery fees.
Hindert recommends you price shop before adding items to your shopping cart if you are concerned about the cost of food items. Instacart allows you to add nutrition information and specific prices to your list so that you can compare the prices and ingredients of the items in your cart. You can also create a “shoppable list” by using your Instacart application. This is beneficial for future grocery shopping trips.
Hindert believes that Instacart might not be the most efficient option for grocery shopping, because it can result in impulse purchases. Moreover grocery delivery services do not always offer the same sales in stores that you would discover at your local grocery store.
2. Amazon Grocery
Amazon Grocery allows individuals to have their groceries delivered right to their door. The products are delivered from local Amazon warehouses by couriers or at an attended location. The service is available for next-day and same-day delivery. Amazon has a broad selection of grocery items available, including fresh produce, dairy, meat and seafood, frozen foods, packaged goods and household items.
Amazon Grocery is one of the most popular grocery-shopping services available, and with good reason. Its competitive pricing, large range of items and convenience features make it an excellent option for those who want to save money and time on their groceries. Additionally the service has a strong sustainability factor and is ideal for those who are looking to minimize their carbon footprint.
Its focus on the weekly food shopping trip, affordable price and carefully curated selection put it in direct competition with traditional supermarkets Brick Meets Click’s Bishop said. “Grocers that don’t stand out in one of these areas are the most vulnerable to Amazon Grocery,” he added.
Amazon has introduced new perks to help Prime members to place larger and more frequent grocery purchases. One of these is a free grocery delivery. This will allow the company to establish itself as an all-in-one shop for many of its customers’ everyday needs.
Amazon’s merchandising technology is a different method that it is using to draw customers to its grocery stores. Local brands that have been successful in smaller stores such as Rockenwagner Bakery or Groundworks Coffee are among the many local brands Amazon is trying to promote. This provides shoppers with a more authentic grocery experience and makes it easy to build loyalty.
3. Walmart
Shopping online is becoming more popular due to hectic work schedules, family obligations and general disdain for crowds. Click and ship makes everything simpler for everyone, from clothing to office supplies. Now groceries are being included in the fun.
Online grocery stores are growing in popularity. Some provide convenience, while others offer quality products at reasonable prices. Which one is the best for you? We’ve reviewed the top grocery delivery services to help you select the best option for you.
Instacart is a top online grocery service that connects you to personal shoppers who shop for you at local stores. It is accessible in thousands of cities, and is a great option for shoppers who like to shop at the chain supermarkets but want to take advantage of discounts at wholesalers such as Costco and vimeo Aldi. Instacart offers same-day delivery to many markets, and includes stores like Food Lion, Kroger and Wegmans. It also has bulk items available as well, which is perfect for those who regularly visit the store to stock on staples.
Walmart is a well-known brand in e-commerce for food items. The online ordering platform allows customers to choose a pickup or delivery time and then select your items from a virtual cart. The site offers rollback deals, and a wide range of products ranging from produce pantry essentials to personal care products. It also has the Walmart+ service that delivers groceries and other items from local stores.
Thrive Market is an online grocery store that is a specialist in organic and non-GMO foods. The membership fee is $5 per month, which is paid annually. It provides a variety of food items to choose from such as fish, meat, and dairy. Thrive offers free delivery on orders of more than $35, and the menu includes healthy products for you and the planet.
4. Smith’s
Online grocery shopping can be a lifesaver to many families who are busy. These services can help you not only take one weekly chore off your list, but also to make plans for meals and budget. However, not all online grocery stores are equal. If you’re looking for convenience, a wide range of products or the best price, you must choose the right service for your family.
Other online grocery stores provide convenient pickup and delivery options. Some, like Instacart make use of personal shoppers who visit local stores to purchase your order, and then deliver the item to your workplace or home. Walmart Grocery is one of the many options that allow customers to shop online and pick up your order at a designated store.
Thrive Market, another popular online grocery store, has an array of organic and natural products that include pantry staples as well as cleaning products. Unlike other online grocers, the Thrive Market does not have an order minimum or flat fee for delivery. It also offers an unpaid membership that lets you try the service for up to two weeks before paying for it.
Smith’s offers a convenient curbside grocery service for those who purchase government benefits. The service is available for Vimeo EBT or SNAP cards. Select the store’s location on your Smith’s App, shop online, make your purchase and then choose the time of pickup. When you arrive, park in your designated space and dial a number to notify an associate that you’re there. The associate will take your order out to you in the parking space.
5. Peapod
Peapod is a pioneer in online grocery shopping. It is available in 24 US markets. In certain markets, customers can order and receive food items, pantry products, fresh produce and deli items, meats and dairy organic and natural food items, prepared meals and office and school supplies delivered. Customers can also pick up alcohol and Premium Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink personal items. Customers can also pick up their orders at over 200 Peapod pickup points that are located in brick-and-mortar shops operated by Ahold USA like Stop & Shop.
Peapod uses the data it gathers to identify brands and products that customers like, and allows them to suggest similar items. It also allows shoppers to view all items in their cart at a glance, and to use search filters to narrow results. Since grocery shopping is a routine activity the Skokie company in Illinois uses data to predict what products a customer is likely to purchase, pushing these items towards the top of the list.
The drivers, who are referred to as brand ambassadors, are a key element of the service. “Food is a very emotional experience,” Bienkowski told Food Dive and being able interact with the person delivering customers their food makes the experience more enjoyable and practical. And unlike many online deliveries that customers receive, when they meet the driver with their groceries, they can be confident that the order is in good hands.
As an early pioneer of online grocery shopping, Peapod has invested in technology to keep up with its competitors. It hasn’t made as much of an impact on the business as other grocery delivery services such as Instacart or Amazon Fresh. The 28-year-old veteran of the battle of online grocery stores is working to increase its competitiveness by expanding its online options. It recently launched a new mobile shopping experience based on its exclusive PRISM platform at its own websites, and also those of its parent company, Ahold Delhaize USA.
