Which is Best For Online Grocery Shopping?

Many online grocery stores now offer quality items at prices that may be more expensive than the typical grocery store. To figure out which is the best, I compared a few popular services to find those that offer the best brands, a variety of products and reasonable prices, along with convenient pick-up or delivery options.

One of the most important aspects of online shopping is planning your list and claiming a delivery time slot before spots fill up. It is also important to be flexible in your choices based on availability of items.

1. Instacart

This grocery delivery service online lets you order via a mobile app or website, creating a virtual cart that is delivered by a personal shopper on a particular day. Instacart works with over 1,400 local, national, and regional retail banners across North America to deliver products from over 80,000 locations. There are even stores with membership only like Costco and Sam's Club, on the platform.

Instacart's charges include the $2.99 same-day delivery fee and a $3.99 service fee (plus tips for the customer). These fees are similar to those associated with ordering at your regular grocery store, but you don't have to be concerned about parking, driving and waiting in line to pay. Instacart offers a year-long membership for customers who shop at least 14 times per year. This will save you money on delivery and service fees.

If you're worried about grocery costs, consider price-shopping prior to adding items to your cart. Instacart allows you to include nutrition information and prices specific to your shopping list so that you can compare the prices and the ingredients of the items in your cart. You can also use your Instacart application to create an "shoppable" shopping list that you can reuse for future grocery trips.

However, Hindert points out that using Instacart to purchase groceries may not be as efficient as doing your own shopping since it can result in purchase impulses. Moreover the grocery delivery services don't always provide the same sales that you can find at your local supermarket.

2. Amazon Grocery

With Amazon Grocery, individuals can have their groceries delivered right to their doorstep. The products are delivered from local Amazon warehouses by couriers, or at a designated location. The service offers same-day or next-day delivery. Amazon offers a variety of grocery items, including fresh products, dairy, meat and seafood, frozen foods, packaged goods and household items.

Amazon Grocery has become one of the most sought-after services for grocery shopping and for good reason. Its low prices, wide variety of products, and convenience features make it a good choice for those looking to save money and time on their grocery shopping. It's also a great choice for those who want to lower their carbon footprint.

Its focus on the weekly grocery shopping trip, the affordable cost and curated choices put it in direct competition with traditional supermarkets Brick Meets Click's Bishop said. "Grocers that don't stand out in any of these areas are the most vulnerable to Amazon Grocery," he added.

To encourage more frequent and «link» larger grocery purchases within its Prime membership, Amazon has introduced a number of new perks, including unlimited delivery of groceries. This will establish the company as a one-stop shop for many people's everyday needs.

Another way Amazon is trying to attract customers to its grocery stores is through its merchandising ideas. Local brands that have proven successful in smaller 365 stores such as Rockenwagner Bakery or Groundworks Coffee are among the many local brands Amazon is promoting. This gives shoppers a an authentic experience when they visit the grocery store and builds loyalty.

3. Walmart

With a hectic schedule of work with family commitments and a general dislike for crowds, it's no wonder that shopping online is a popular choice. From office supplies to clothing it's all easier when you click and ship. Now grocery shopping is also part of the party.

Online grocery stores are booming with some offering convenience, while others offer high-quality products at affordable prices. Which one is right for you? To help you find the best grocery delivery service, we've reviewed the best choices.

Instacart is a leading online grocery service that connects you with personal shoppers who shop for you at local stores. It is available in thousands of cities and is an excellent option for those who prefer the convenience stores of chain stores, but also want to benefit from discounts at wholesalers like Costco and Aldi. Instacart provides same-day delivery in a variety of 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 up on staples.

Walmart is a well-known brand in the world of e-commerce for food items. You can shop online and pick the time of delivery or pickup, then add your items to an online shopping cart. The site offers rollback deals and a variety of items from produce to pantry essentials to personal care products. The site also offers a Walmart+ service that delivers groceries and other items from local stores.

Thrive Market, an online grocery store that specializes in organic food and non-GMO products. Membership costs $5 per month, and is billed annually. It provides a variety of food items to choose from including fish, meat, and dairy. Thrive offers free delivery on orders above $35, and its selection includes healthy options for you and the planet.

4. Smith's

Online grocery shopping can be lifesaver for many busy families. These services can not only allow you to eliminate one task off your weekly to-do list, but they can also aid in meal plan and budget. Not all online grocery stores offer the same benefits. If you're looking to find convenience, a variety of products or the best price, it's essential to select the right option for your family.

In addition to Smith's, several other online grocery stores offer convenient delivery and pick-up options. Some, like Instacart make use of personal shoppers who visit local stores to purchase your purchase and then deliver the item to your office or home. Others, such as Walmart Grocery, allow you to shop online and pickup your order at the designated location.

Thrive Market, another popular online grocery store, features a variety of natural and organic products that include pantry staples as well as cleaning supplies. Unlike other online grocers, Thrive does not have an order minimum or flat fee for deliveries. There is also a free membership option that lets you try the service for a period of two weeks before you decide to pay for it.

For customers who rely on government benefits, Smith's offers an online grocery service that accepts EBT and SNAP cards for curbside pickup at more than 70 stores. To make use of this service, simply choose the store location from your Smith's app then shop and place your order, and then select a pickup time and parking space. When you arrive at your chosen location, park in your designated space and dial a number to inform the associate that you are there. The associate will carry your order out to you in the parking lot.

5. Peapod

Peapod is an innovator in online grocery shopping. It is present in 24 us online shopping sites for clothes markets. In certain markets, customers can place orders and pick up food items, pantry products fresh produce and deli items, meats and dairy organic and natural food items cooked meals, school and office items delivered. They can also pick up alcohol and personal care items. Customers also can take orders to more than 200 Peapod pickup locations, most of which are attached to Ahold USA-owned brick and mortar stores like Stop & Shop.

Peapod uses data to track customers' top brands and items which allows the online retailer to recommend similar products. The system lets shoppers view all items in their shopping cart at once and apply filters to narrow the results. Because grocery shopping is a habit-driven activity, the Skokie company in Illinois utilizes data to predict the products a customer is likely to purchase, pushing these items towards the top of the list.

The service is based on its drivers, who are also known as brand ambassadors. Bienkowski explained to Food Dive that food is an emotional experience. Being able to interact directly with the person who delivers the food makes it more convenient and pleasant. And unlike many e-commerce deliveries when customers meet the driver with their groceries, they can be confident that the order is in good hands.

Peapod is an early pioneer in online grocery shopping has invested in technology so that it is able to compete with its competitors. It hasn't made as much of an impact on the industry as other grocery delivery services such as Instacart or Amazon Fresh. But the 28-year veteran of the battle for online grocery delivery is trying to increase its competitiveness by expanding its online shopping options. It has launched a new mobile experience built on the PRISM platform which is exclusive to Ahold Delhaize USA, and its own sites.