Which is Best For Online Grocery Shopping?

Many online grocers offer quality items at prices that are more affordable than your typical grocery store. To determine which is the best, I compared some of the most popular services to find ones that offer variety, quality brands and fair prices with a convenient delivery or pick-up option.

One of the most important aspects of online shopping is making a list and claiming a delivery timeslot before the slots fill up. You'll also have to be prepared to make changes according to availability.

1. Instacart

This online grocery delivery service allows you to place an order via an app on your mobile or a website and create a virtual cart that is then fulfilled by an individual shopper on a particular day. Instacart collaborates with more than 1,400 national, local and regional banners across North America to deliver products from 80,000+ locations. You can find stores that are members-only, such as Costco or Sam's Club.

Instacart charges the $2.99 cost for delivery on the same day and an additional $3.99 fee for service (plus a tip to the shopper). These charges are similar to those you'll encounter with shopping at your local grocery store but you don't need to worry about parking, driving, and standing in queue to pay. In addition, if you shop through Instacart at minimum 14 times per year you can sign up for an annual Instacartmembership and save money on shipping and service charges.

Hindert recommends you do a price comparison prior to adding items to your shopping cart if you are concerned about the cost of groceries. Instacart allows you to include nutrition information and prices specific to your shopping list to allow you to evaluate the costs and ingredients of the items you have in your cart. You can also make use of the Instacart app to create a "shoppable" shopping list that you can reuse to make future grocery trips.

Hindert argues that Instacart might not be the best option for grocery shopping, because it can result in impulse buys. Additionally grocery delivery services may not always offer the same sales as your local supermarket.

2. Amazon Grocery

With Amazon Grocery users can get their groceries delivered right to their doorstep. The items are sourced from local Amazon warehouses and can be collected by the courier or left at a location that is supervised (where you must be there to receive your order). The service is available for same-day or next-day delivery. Amazon has a broad selection of grocery items including fresh dairy, produce seafood, meat and other frozen food, packaged goods and household products.

Amazon Grocery has become one of the most well-known services for grocery shopping, and for good reason. It offers an affordable pricing structure, a wide selection, and convenient features that make it a great option for those looking to save time and money on their grocery shopping. Additionally the service has a strong sustainability factor and 50-Pack Keystone Jacks is perfect for those who are trying to reduce their carbon footprint.

Its focus on the weekly grocery shopping trip, the affordable price point and curated selection place 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.

Amazon has introduced new perks to encourage its Prime customers to place more and bigger grocery orders. One of these is the ability to deliver groceries Hygrometer For Humidor free. This will help the company make itself an all-in-one store for many of its customers' everyday needs.

Amazon's merchandising innovation is another way it tries to attract customers to their stores. This includes highlighting local brands that have been successful in its smaller 365 stores, like Rockenwagner Bakery and Groundworks Coffee. This lets shoppers enjoy a an authentic experience in the supermarket and helps build loyalty.

3. Walmart

With hectic work schedules and family commitments, as well as a general dislike for crowds, it's not a surprise that shopping online is a favorite option. From clothing to office supplies it's all simpler when you just click and send. Now, grocery shopping is being included in the fun.

Online grocery stores are growing in popularity. Some provide convenience, while others provide high-quality products at affordable prices. But which one is right for you? To help you choose the most effective grocery delivery service, we've rounded up the most popular choices.

Instacart is a top online grocery service that connects you with personal shoppers who can shop for you at local stores. It is available in a multitude of cities and is a great alternative for those who prefer to shop at supermarket chains but want to benefit from discounts at wholesalers such as Costco and Aldi. Instacart provides same-day delivery to several markets, and its inventory includes stores like Food Lion, Kroger, Wegmans and Shop n Save. It even has a service for bulk items which is ideal for those who regularly go to the store to buy essentials.

Walmart is a household name in e-commerce, especially for groceries. You can shop online and select an appointment for pickup or delivery, then add your purchases to the virtual shopping cart. The site has rollback deals, and a wide range of items from produce to pantry staples to personal care items. The site also offers a Walmart+ service that delivers food items and other products from local stores.

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

4. Smith's

Online grocery shopping services can be a lifesaver for many families with busy schedules. Not only do these services help you shave one weekly errand off your to-do list however, they can also aid in plan your meals and budget. Not all online stores offer the same features. If you're looking to find convenience, a variety of products, or the most affordable 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 which allows personal shoppers to shop in local stores and then deliver your order to your workplace or home. Other companies, such as Walmart Grocery, allow you to shop online and pick up your order at a designated place.

Thrive Market, another popular online grocery store, has an array of organic and natural products such as pantry staples and cleaning products. Unlike other grocery stores on the internet Thrive doesn't have an order minimum or a flat delivery fee. It also provides an unpaid membership that allows you to test the service for up to two weeks before you pay for it.

For those who depend on government benefits, Smith's offers an online grocery service that accepts EBT and SNAP cards to pick up your groceries at more than 70 stores. Select the store location in your Smith's App, shop online, make your purchase and then choose an appropriate time for pickup. When you arrive, pull into your parking space and call a number to let an associate know you're there. The associate will deliver your order to you in parking lot.

5. Peapod

Peapod is a pioneer in online grocery shopping. It is present in 24 US markets. Customers can order and receive the delivery of pantry items, groceries, fresh produce, deli products, meats, dairy, natural and organic foods, prepared meals, office and school supplies, personal care items and alcohol in specific markets. Customers can also pick up their items at more than 200 Peapod pickup points most of which are located inside brick-and-mortar stores owned by Ahold USA like Stop & Shop.

Peapod utilizes the information it collects to identify the brands and products that customers prefer, allowing them to suggest similar products. The system allows shoppers to view everything in their shopping carts at once and also use filters to narrow down results. Since grocery shopping is a routine activity the Skokie, Illinois-based company uses data to predict what products the shopper would buy and push these items to the top of the list.

Its 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 orders makes the experience more enjoyable and practical. And unlike many online deliveries that customers receive, when they meet the driver with their groceries they know the order is in good hands.

Peapod is an early pioneer in online grocery shopping has invested in technology so that it can stay competitive with its rivals. However, it hasn't been able to make as big of an impact as other delivery services for groceries, like Instacart and Amazon Fresh. The veteran of 28 years in the online grocery wars is working to increase its competitiveness through expanding its ecommerce options. It recently launched a new mobile shopping experience based on its own PRISM platform at its own websites, as well as the sites of its parent company, Ahold Delhaize USA.