Which is Best For Online Grocery Shopping?

Many online grocery stores now provide high-quality items at prices that are more affordable than your typical grocery store. To figure out which is the best option, I tested several well-known options to find those that offer various brands, high-quality products and fair prices with a convenient delivery or pick-up option.

A key to online shopping is making a list of your needs and claiming a delivery timeslot before spots fill up. Also, you'll need to be able to make swaps according to availability.

1. Instacart

The online grocery delivery service lets you order via an app on your mobile or a website creating a virtual shopping cart that is delivered by a personal shopper on a particular day. Instacart is a partner with more than 1400 national regional, local, and national retail banners to deliver from 80,000+ stores across North America. There are even membership-only store locations, such as Costco and Sam's Club, on the platform.

Instacart's fees include the $2.99 delivery fee on the same day and an additional $3.99 service fee (plus a tip for the shopper). These costs are similar to those associated with shopping at your local grocery shop but you don't need to worry about parking, driving, and waiting in line to pay. Instacart offers an annual membership for customers who purchase at minimum 14 times a year. This will save you money on service and delivery fees.

If you're worried about grocery costs, consider price-shopping prior to adding items into your cart. Instacart offers the ability to add specific prices and nutrition facts to your list to allow you to compare prices and ingredients to those of the items already in your cart. You can also create a "shoppable list" using your Instacart application. This is useful for future grocery shopping trips.

However, Hindert warns that using Instacart to purchase groceries might not be as effective as shopping yourself because it can lead to purchase impulses. In addition grocery delivery services may not always offer the same sales as your local supermarket.

2. Amazon Grocery

Amazon Grocery allows individuals to get their groceries delivered right to their door. The products are delivered from local Amazon warehouses via couriers or at a designated location. The service provides same-day and next-day delivery options. Amazon provides a variety of grocery products such as fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, seafood and meats, packaged foods, frozen food and household items.

Amazon Grocery has become one of the most well-known services for grocery shopping, and with good reason. Its competitive pricing, large range of items and convenience features make it a great option for shoppers looking to save money and time on their groceries. It's an excellent option for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint.

Bishop of Brick Meets Click said that Amazon Grocery's emphasis on weekly food shopping and its reasonable price, and its curated assortment puts it in direct competition with traditional supermarkets. "Grocers that don't stand out in one of these categories are more susceptible to Amazon Grocery," Bishop added.

As an incentive to drive more frequent and larger grocery purchases within its Prime membership, Amazon has introduced a range of new perks including unlimited grocery delivery. This will allow the company to position itself as an all-in-one shop for a lot of its customers' everyday needs.

Amazon's merchandising innovations are another method that it is using to draw customers to their stores. Local brands that have proven successful in smaller 365 stores like Rockenwagner Bakery or Groundworks Coffee are among the many local brands Amazon is promoting. This gives shoppers an authentic experience at the grocery store and helps build loyalty.

3. Walmart

With a hectic schedule of work, family commitments and general dislike of crowds, it's no wonder that shopping online is a popular option. Click and ship makes everything easier, from clothing to office supplies. Now grocery shopping has joined the party.

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

Instacart is a leading online grocery service that connects you with personal shoppers who buy your groceries at local stores. It is available in thousands of cities, and is a great option for shoppers who like to shop at supermarket chains but want to avail discounts at wholesalers such as Costco and Aldi. Instacart offers same-day delivery in numerous markets, and its selection includes stores such as Food Lion, Kroger, Wegmans and Shop n Save. It offers bulk items as well, which is ideal for those who regularly visit the store to stock on essential items.

Walmart is a well-known brand in e-commerce for grocery items. The online ordering platform allows customers to select an appointment time or pickup and then select the items you want from a virtual shopping cart. The site offers rollback deals and a variety of products ranging from produce pantry essentials to personal care products. Walmart+ is a service that provides groceries from local stores.

Thrive Market is an online grocery store that specializes in organic and non-GMO foods. Membership costs $5 per month, and is billed annually. It offers a variety of foods to choose from including meat, fish and dairy. Thrive offers free delivery on orders of more than $35. Its selection includes healthy options that are good for the environment and you.

4. Smith's

Online grocery shopping services can be lifesaver to many families with busy schedules. These services can help you to not only cut one chore from your weekly list, but also plan meals and to budget for. Not all online stores offer the same benefits. If you're looking for convenience, a wide range of products or the best price, it's essential to select the best service for your family.

Other online grocery stores also offer convenient delivery and pickup options. Instacart is one of the online grocery stores that uses personal shoppers to shop in local stores and then deliver your order to your workplace or home. Walmart Grocery is one of the many options that allow you to shop online and pick up your purchase at an authorised store.

Thrive Market is another popular online grocery store that offers a wide range of organic and natural products. These include pantry staples, cleaning supplies, and more. Contrary to other online grocers there is no minimum order requirement or a flat rate for deliveries. There is also a free membership option which lets you test the service for a period of two weeks before you decide to purchase it.

For those who depend on government benefits, Smith's offers an online grocery service that accepts EBT and SNAP cards for curbside pickup at more than 70 stores. Select the store location in your Smith's App Shop online, make your purchase and then choose the time of pickup. Once you arrive you must park in the assigned space and dial a number to inform an associate that you are there. The associate will bring your order out to you in the parking lot.

5. Peapod

Peapod is a pioneer in online grocery shopping. It operates in 24 US markets. Customers can place orders and receive the delivery of pantry items, groceries, fresh produce, deli items and meats, High-Speed Internet Cable 350Mhz dairy products organic and natural foods and prepared meals, office and school supplies, personal care items and alcohol at certain markets. Customers can also pick up their items at over 200 Peapod pickup points most of which are located inside brick-and-mortar stores operated by Ahold USA like Stop & Shop.

Peapod uses data to track customers' top brands and items that allow the online grocer to recommend similar items. It also lets shoppers see all the items in their cart at a glance and then use search filters to narrow results. Because grocery shopping is a habit-driven activity, the Skokie-based company makes use of data to predict what products the consumer will buy which pushes those items to the top of the list.

The drivers who are referred to as brand ambassadors, are an essential aspect of the service. "Food is emotionally charged," Bienkowski told Food Dive and being able to communicate with the person delivering customers their food makes the experience more enjoyable and practical. When customers are able to see their groceries delivered by the driver they are assured that their order is safe with the driver.

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 veteran of 28 years of the online grocery wars is working to increase its competitiveness by expanding its online offerings. It launched a new mobile experience built on the PRISM platform which is exclusive to Ahold Delhaize USA, Vimeo.Com and its own sites.