Which is Best For Online Grocery Shopping?

Many online grocers now offer high-quality products at prices that may be more expensive than your usual grocery stop. I tested a variety of popular services to determine which one is the most effective. I looked for those which offer a wide selection, high-quality brands, and fair prices, and an easy option for delivery or pickup.

Online shopping is all about planning your list, and claiming your delivery time slot before it gets full. You'll also have to be flexible in your choices in relation to the availability of the items.

1. Instacart

This grocery delivery service online lets you order via a mobile app or website and create a virtual cart that is fulfilled by an individual shopper on a particular day. Instacart works with over 1,400 national, local and regional banners across North America to deliver products from 80,000+ locations. There are even membership-only store locations, such as Costco and Sam's Club, on the platform.

Instacart's fees include a $2.99 same-day delivery fee and an additional $3.99 service fee (plus an extra tip for the shopper). These charges are similar to those associated when you shop at your usual grocery store but you don't need to be concerned about parking, driving and standing in line 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 on delivery and service fees.

Hindert recommends you do a price comparison prior to adding items to your shopping cart if you are concerned about the cost of food items. Instacart lets you 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 make use of your Instacart application to create an "shoppable" shopping list that you can reuse for future grocery shopping trips.

However, Hindert points out that using Instacart to shop for groceries may not be as beneficial than shopping on your own because it can lead to impulse purchases. Additionally grocery delivery services may not always offer the same deals as your local supermarket.

2. Amazon Grocery

With Amazon Grocery users can get their groceries delivered to their doorstep. The products are delivered from local Amazon warehouses via couriers or at a designated location. The service offers same-day or next-day delivery. Amazon has a broad selection of grocery items including fresh dairy, produce seafood, meat, packaged goods, frozen foods and household products.

Amazon Grocery has become one of the most sought-after services for grocery shopping, and for good reason. Its low prices, wide selection and convenience features make it a great option for those who want to save time and money on their shopping. In addition it has a significant sustainability aspect and is ideal for those seeking to reduce their carbon footprint.

Its focus on the weekly food shopping trip, the affordable cost and curated choices put it directly in direct competition with traditional supermarkets Brick Meets Click's Bishop stated. "Grocers that aren't recognizable in these areas are the most vulnerable to Amazon Grocery," he added.

In order to encourage more frequent and more substantial grocery purchases within its Prime members, Amazon has introduced a variety of new perks, including unlimited delivery of groceries. This will help position the company as an all-in-one shop for many customers' everyday requirements.

Another method Amazon is trying to attract customers to its grocery stores is through its merchandising ideas. They include local brands that were successful in its smaller 365 stores, like Rockenwagner Bakery and Groundworks Coffee. This provides customers with an authentic shopping experience and helps build loyalty.

3. Walmart

With hectic work schedules, family commitments and a general distaste for crowds, it's not a surprise that shopping online is a favorite option. From office supplies to clothing everything is easier when you can just click and send. Now groceries are getting in on the action.

Online grocery stores are booming. Some provide convenience, while others offer quality products at reasonable prices. But which one is right for you? To help you find the most efficient grocery delivery service, we've compiled the top choices.

Instacart is a leading online grocery service that connects you with personal shoppers who buy your groceries at local stores. It works in thousands of cities, and can be an excellent option for those who prefer supermarkets with chains however, they also wish to benefit from discounts at wholesalers such as Costco and Aldi. Instacart provides same-day delivery in a variety of markets, and includes stores such as Food Lion, Kroger and Wegmans. It also offers bulk items as well, which is great for those who frequently visit the store to stock on essential items.

Walmart is a big name in the world of e-commerce for food items. You can shop online and select the time of pickup or delivery, then add your purchases to an online shopping cart. The site offers rollback offers and has a good range of items, from food to pantry staples and personal products for health. There is also the Walmart+ service that delivers groceries and other items from local stores.

Thrive Market, an online grocery store, specializes in organic foods and non-GMO products. The membership fee is $5 per month, billed annually, and offers an array of foods to choose from, including meat, fish and dairy. Thrive offers free delivery on orders above $35. Its selection includes healthy products for you and the planet.

4. Smith's

Online grocery shopping can be a lifesaver to many families who are busy. Not only can these services help you shave one weekly errand off your to-do list, but they can also make it easier to plan your meals and budget. Not all online grocery stores provide the same benefits. Whether you're looking for convenience, a wide range of products, or the most affordable price, it's important to select the best service for your family.

In addition to Smith's numerous other online grocers offer convenient delivery and pick-up options. Instacart is one of the online grocery stores that allows personal shoppers to shop in local stores and deliver your order to your home or office. Other companies, premium rooibos loose tea such as Walmart Grocery, allow you to shop online and pickup your order at an agreed-upon location.

Thrive Market, another popular online grocery store, features a wide variety of organic and natural products, including pantry staples and cleaning products. In contrast to other online grocery stores, the Thrive Market does not have an order minimum or flat fee for delivery. There is also an option for free membership that allows you to try the service for two weeks before deciding decide to pay for it.

For shoppers who rely on government benefits, Smith's offers an online grocery service that accepts EBT and SNAP cards for pickup at more than 70 stores. To use this service, just select the store's location from your Smith's app, shop and place your order, and then select a pickup time and parking spot. When you arrive, pull into your parking space and call an number to let an associate know you're there. The associate will bring your order out to you in the parking area.

5. Peapod

A pioneer in online grocery shopping, Peapod operates in 24 markets in the US. Customers can order and receive deliveries of groceries, pantry items fresh produce, Vimeo.Com deli items and meats, dairy products organic and natural foods and prepared meals, school and office items, personal care products and alcohol in specific markets. Customers also can pick up orders at more than 200 Peapod pickup locations, many of which are attached to Ahold USA's brick and mortar stores such as Stop & Shop.

Peapod uses data to identify the brands that are popular with shoppers and items, allowing the online grocer to recommend similar items. The system lets shoppers browse every item in their shopping cart at once and to use search filters to narrow down results. Because grocery shopping is a routine activity, the Skokie company in Illinois utilizes data to predict the 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 a key element of the service. Bienkowski explained to Food Dive that food is an emotional experience. Being able to communicate directly with the person who delivers the food makes it more pleasant and convenient. When customers see their groceries delivered by the driver they know that the order is safe with the driver.

As the first innovator in online grocery shopping, Peapod has invested in technology to keep up with its rivals. It hasn't had as big of an impact on the market as other grocery-delivery services like Instacart or Amazon Fresh. But the 28-year veteran of the online grocery delivery wars is working to boost its competitiveness by expanding its e-commerce offerings. It has launched a brand new mobile experience built on the PRISM platform which is exclusive to Ahold Delhaize USA, and its own websites.