Which is Best For Online Grocery Shopping?

Many online grocers offer quality items at prices that are more affordable than the typical grocery store. I tested a variety of well-known services to determine which one is best. I searched for ones that offer variety, quality brands, and fair prices, and an easy option for delivery or pickup.

Shopping online is all about planning your list and making sure you claim your delivery time slot before it is filled up. You'll also need to be prepared to make swaps depending on the availability.

1. Instacart

This online grocery delivery service lets you order via either a mobile app or web site, creating a virtual cart that is fulfilled by the personal shopper on specific 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 like Costco or Sam's Club.

Instacart charges an $2.99 fee for delivery same-day and a $3.99 fee for service (plus an additional tip to the shopper). The fees are similar to what you would pay at your local grocery store. However, you don't have to drive to park, park, or wait in line. In addition that if you shop on Instacart at minimum 14 times per year, you can sign up for an annual Instacartmembership to save money on delivery and service charges.

Hindert suggests that you do a price comparison prior to adding items to your shopping cart if are concerned about the price of groceries. Instacart allows you to add nutrition facts and specific prices to your list so that you can compare the prices and the ingredients of the items you have in your cart. You can also make use of your Instacart application to create a "shoppable" shopping list that you can reuse for future grocery trips.

Hindert believes that Instacart might not be the most suitable option for grocery shopping as it can lead to impulse buys. In addition grocery delivery services do not always offer the same sales in stores that you would find at your local supermarket.

2. Amazon Grocery

Amazon Grocery lets customers have their groceries delivered right to their door. The items are sourced from local Amazon warehouses and can be collected by the courier or left at a designated location (where you need to be present to receive your order). The service is available for next-day and same-day delivery. Amazon offers a variety of groceries available that include fresh produce, dairy seafood, Durable Sisal Rug meat and other frozen foods, packaged goods and household products.

Amazon Grocery is one of the most popular grocery shopping services available and for good reason. Its competitive pricing, large selection and convenience features make it a great option for those who want to save money and time on their groceries. It's also a great choice for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint.

Its focus on the weekly grocery shopping trip, affordable price point and curated selection puts it directly in direct competition with traditional supermarkets Brick Meets Click's Bishop stated. "Grocers that don't stand out in any of these categories are more vulnerable to Amazon Grocery," Bishop added.

Amazon has introduced new perks to encourage its Prime customers to make larger and more frequent grocery purchases. One of them is the ability to deliver groceries for free. This will help position the company as a one-stop shop for many customers' everyday needs.

Amazon's merchandising technology is a different way it tries to attract customers to their grocery stores. Local brands that have been successful in smaller stores such as Rockenwagner Bakery or Groundworks Coffee are among the numerous local brands Amazon is trying to promote. This lets shoppers enjoy a an authentic experience in the grocery store and also builds loyalty.

3. Walmart

With hectic work schedules with family commitments and a general dislike for crowds, it's no surprise that shopping online is a popular option. Click and ship makes it easy to get everything you need for everything from clothes to office equipment. Now, grocery shopping has joined the party.

Online grocers are booming with some offering convenience, while others offer quality items at competitive prices. Which one is best for you? To help you choose the best grocery delivery service, we've rounded up the most popular options.

Instacart is a top online grocery store that connects you with personal shoppers who will shop for you in local stores. It operates in a variety of cities, and can be an excellent option for those who prefer the convenience stores of chain stores, but also want to avail discounts at wholesalers such as Costco and Aldi. Instacart offers same-day delivery in many markets, and its inventory includes stores like Food Lion, Kroger, Wegmans and Shop n Save. It even has an option for bulk items, which is perfect for those who regularly go to the supermarket to buy essentials.

Walmart is a big name in e-commerce for grocery items. The online ordering platform allows you to pick the time of delivery or pickup and then choose your items from a virtual shopping cart. The site has rollback deals, and a wide range of products from produce to pantry staples to personal care items. The site also offers a Walmart+ service that delivers grocery items and other items from local stores.

Thrive Market, an online grocery store that specializes in organic food and non-GMO products. The membership fee is $5 per month, billed annually, and it has a wide variety of food to choose from, including dairy, fish, and meat. Thrive offers free shipping on orders of more than $35 and has a selection of items that are healthy for you and the environment.

4. Smith's

Online grocery shopping can be a lifesaver for many families who are busy. These services can help you not only take one chore per week off your list, but also to plan your meals and budget for. However, not all grocery stores online are to be the same. It's important to select the right service, whether you're seeking convenience or a wide variety of goods.

In addition to Smith's numerous other online retailers provide convenient delivery and pickup options. Some, such as Instacart, utilize personal shoppers who visit local stores to look for your order, and then deliver the item to your office or home. Walmart Grocery is one of the many services that allow you to shop online and then take your order to a designated store.

Thrive Market, another popular online grocery store, features a wide variety of natural and organic products that include pantry staples as well as cleaning products. Contrary to other online grocers Thrive does not have an minimum order or a flat fee for delivery. Additionally, it offers an option for free membership which lets you test the service for a period of two weeks before you decide to sign up for the service.

For Lounge Club Chair 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 avail this service, simply choose the store's location on your Smith's app shop, place your order, and then select a pickup time and parking spot. When you arrive at your chosen location, park in your designated spot and dial a number to inform an associate that you're there. The associate will bring your order out to you in the parking area.

5. Peapod

Peapod is the first to offer online grocery shopping. It is present in 24 US markets. Customers can order and receive the delivery of groceries, pantry items, fresh produce, deli items such as meats, dairy, natural and organic foods as well as prepared meals, school and office products, personal care items and alcohol in certain markets. Customers can also collect their orders at more than 200 Peapod pickup locations, most of which are connected to Ahold USA-owned brick and mortar stores, such as Stop & Shop.

Peapod uses data to track customers' top brands and products, allowing the online grocer to suggest similar items. The system allows shoppers to look through every item in their shopping carts at once and make use of search filters to narrow down results. Because grocery shopping is a largely habit-driven activity, the Skokie-based company uses information to predict which products the shopper will buy, pushing those items toward 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 delivering the order makes it more pleasant and convenient. 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 to ensure that it can remain competitive with its competitors. It hasn't made as much of an impact on the market as other grocery-delivery services like Instacart or Amazon Fresh. The 28-year-old veteran of the battle for online grocery is trying to improve its competitiveness by expanding its ecommerce offerings. It recently launched a new mobile shopping experience that is based on its exclusive PRISM platform at its own websites as well as the sites of its parent company, Ahold Delhaize USA.