Which is Best For Online Grocery Shopping?

Online grocers provide a wide range of quality products at prices that could be cheaper than your local grocery store. To determine which is best, I tested some of the most well-known options to find ones that offer various brands, high-quality products and fair prices with easy delivery or pick-up options.

The key to shopping online is making a list and claiming a delivery time slot before spots fill up. You'll also have to be flexible with your choices based on the availability of the products.

1. Instacart

The online grocery delivery service allows you to place orders on an app or website creating an online shopping cart which is fulfilled by personal shoppers on a specified day. Instacart is a partner with more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from 80,000+ stores across North America. You can find stores that are members-only like Costco or Sam's Club.

Instacart's fees include a $2.99 same-day delivery fee and a $3.99 service fee (plus a tip for the customer). These costs are similar to the ones you pay with shopping at your local grocery store however, you don't have to be concerned about parking, driving and standing in queue to pay. Instacart offers an annual membership for those who purchase at least 14 times per year. This will reduce your costs for service and delivery fees.

Hindert suggests that you do a price comparison prior to adding items to your shopping cart if you are concerned about the expense of groceries. Instacart offers the ability to include specific prices and nutrition information to your list, so you can compare ingredients and prices to those of the items already in your cart. It's also possible to make use of your Instacart app to create a "shoppable" shopping list that you can use to make future grocery trips.

Hindert suggests that Instacart might not be the most suitable option for grocery shopping because it can result in buying impulse items. Moreover grocery delivery services do not always offer the same sales in stores that you can find at your local supermarket.

2. Amazon Grocery

With Amazon Grocery users can get their groceries delivered directly to their doorstep. The items are sourced from local Amazon warehouses and can be picked up by the courier or left at a location that is supervised (where you have to be present to pick up your order). The service is available for next-day and same-day delivery. Amazon has a wide range of grocery items that include fresh dairy, produce seafood, meat, frozen food, packaged goods and household products.

Amazon Grocery has become one of the most popular services for grocery shopping and for good reason. It has an attractive pricing structure, a wide selection, and useful features that make it a great option for those looking to save time and money on their grocery shopping. In addition the service has a strong sustainability factor and is a great choice for those who are seeking to reduce their carbon footprint.

Bishop of Brick Meets Click said that Amazon Grocery's focus on daily food shopping and its low cost, and its curated assortment puts it in direct concurrence with traditional supermarkets. "Grocers that don't stand out in any of these areas are more susceptible to Amazon Grocery," he added.

Amazon has introduced new perks to make it easier for its Prime customers to make more and larger grocery orders. One of these is a free grocery delivery. This will position the company as the one-stop shop for all people's daily requirements.

Another way Amazon is attempting to attract customers to its grocery stores is through its merchandising innovations. These include featuring local brands that have been successful in its smaller 365 stores, such as Rockenwagner Bakery and Groundworks Coffee. This lets shoppers enjoy a a more authentic experience at the supermarket and helps build loyalty.

3. Walmart

Online shopping is becoming increasingly popular due to busy work schedules, family obligations and general disdain for crowds. From clothing to office supplies, everything seems easier when you can just click and send. Now, grocery shopping is getting in on the action.

Online grocery stores are booming, with some offering convenience and others providing quality products at reasonable prices. Which one is best for you? We've reviewed the top grocery delivery services to help you pick the right one for you.

Instacart is a top online grocery service that connects you to personal shoppers who buy your groceries at local stores. It is available in a multitude of cities and can be an excellent option for shoppers who like to shop at the chain supermarkets but want to avail discounts at wholesalers such as Costco and Aldi. Instacart delivers same-day in many markets and includes stores like Food Lion, Kroger and Wegmans. It also offers bulk items as well, which is great for those who frequent the store to stock up on basic items.

Walmart is a big name in e-commerce for grocery items. Its online ordering system allows customers to choose an appointment time or pickup and then choose your items from a virtual cart. The site offers rollback deals, and a wide range of items from produce to pantry essentials to personal care items. There is also a Walmart+ service that delivers grocery items and other items from local stores.

Thrive Market, Vimeo an online grocery store, specializes in organic foods and non-GMO products. Its membership costs $5 per month, which is billed annually, and it has a wide variety of food to select from, including dairy, fish, and meat. Thrive provides free shipping on orders of more than $35 and its selection includes items that are healthy for you as well as the environment.

4. Smith's

Online grocery shopping can be a lifesaver to many families who are busy. These services can not only let you cut one weekly errand off your to-do list, but they can also aid in budget your meals and meal plans. Not all online stores offer the same features. It's crucial to select the right one, regardless of whether you're seeking convenience or a wide range of products.

Other online grocery stores provide convenient delivery and pickup options. Some, like Instacart, utilize personal shoppers who visit local stores to shop for your order and then deliver it to your workplace or Home Audio Control System. Walmart Grocery is one of the many options that allow you to shop on-line and then pick up your purchase at a designated store.

Thrive Market, another popular online grocery store, Vimeo offers an array of natural and organic products that include pantry staples as well as cleaning products. Contrary to other online grocers the Thrive Market does not have an minimum order or a flat fee for deliveries. It also offers an unpaid membership that lets you try the service for up to two weeks prior to paying for it.

For customers who rely 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. To avail this service, simply choose the store's location from your Smith's app shop, make your purchase, then choose a time for Vimeo pickup and a parking spot. Once you arrive you must park in the designated space and dial a number to notify an associate that you're there. The associate will carry your order out to you in the parking space.

5. Peapod

Peapod is the first to offer online grocery shopping. It is present in 24 US markets. In some markets, customers can order and get food items, pantry items fresh produce and deli items, meats and dairy, organic and natural foods cooked meals, office and school supplies delivered. They can also pick up alcohol and personal care products. Customers can also pick up their orders at more than 200 Peapod pickup points most of which are located inside brick-and-mortar stores operated by Ahold USA like Stop & Shop.

Peapod utilizes data to determine the brands that are popular with shoppers and items, allowing the online grocer to recommend similar products. It also allows shoppers to look through all the items in their cart at a glance, and to use filters to narrow the results. Because grocery shopping is a habit-driven 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.

The drivers who are referred to as brand ambassadors, are a key component of the service. Bienkowski said to Food Dive that food is an emotional experience. Being able to communicate directly with the person who is delivering the order makes it more enjoyable and convenient. And unlike many online deliveries that customers receive, when they see the driver with their groceries they know 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. Peapod hasn't had as much of an impact on the industry as other grocery-delivery services like Instacart or Amazon Fresh. The veteran of 28 years in the online grocery wars is working to increase its competitiveness by expanding its e-commerce offerings. It recently launched a new mobile shopping experience that is based on its exclusive PRISM platform on its own sites, as well as the sites of its parent company, Ahold Delhaize USA.