Which is Best For Online Grocery Shopping?

Many online grocers offer quality items at prices that might out-perform the typical grocery store. To determine which one is the best, I compared some of the most popular services to find those that offer various brands, high-quality products and fair prices with convenient pick-up or delivery options.

The key to shopping online is making a list and claiming a delivery timelot before the spots are filled up. You'll also have to be flexible in your choices in relation to the availability of the products.

1. Instacart

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

Instacart charges a $2.99 fee for same-day delivery and an additional $3.99 fee for service (plus an additional tip to the customer). These fees are similar to the ones you pay with shopping at your local grocery store however, you don't have to worry about driving, parking, and standing in the line to pay. In addition that if you shop on Instacart at least 14 times a year you can sign-up for an annual Instacartmembership to reduce delivery and service fees.

Hindert recommends that you price shop before adding items to your shopping cart if are concerned about the cost of food items. Instacart lets you add specific prices and nutrition information to your list, to allow you to compare ingredients and prices to those of the items you already have in your cart. You can also create a "shoppable list" by using your Instacart application. This is helpful for future grocery shopping trips.

Hindert argues that Instacart might not be the best option for grocery shopping since it could lead to impulse buys. In addition, grocery delivery services don't always provide the same sales that you would find at your local supermarket.

2. Amazon Grocery

Amazon Grocery allows customers to have their groceries delivered right to their door. The products are delivered from local Amazon warehouses by couriers or at a location that is manned. The service is available for same-day or next-day delivery. Amazon offers a variety of grocery items available that include fresh dairy, produce seafood, meat, frozen food, packaged goods and household products.

Amazon Grocery has become one of the most well-known services for grocery shopping, and with good reason. It offers an attractive pricing structure, a wide variety of products, and a host of convenient features that make it a good option for those looking to save time and money on grocery shopping. In addition, Which Is Best For Online Grocery Shopping the service also has a significant sustainability aspect and is ideal for those who are looking to minimize their carbon footprint.

Its focus on the weekly grocery shopping trip, affordable cost and curated choices place it in direct competition with traditional supermarkets Brick Meets Click's Bishop said. "Grocers who aren't a standout in one of these categories are most vulnerable to Amazon Grocery," Bishop added.

As an incentive to drive more frequent and larger grocery orders among its Prime membership, Amazon has introduced a variety of new perks, including unlimited grocery delivery. This will allow the company to make itself an all-in-one store for a large portion of its customers' needs.

Another way Amazon is attempting to attract customers to its grocery stores is through its merchandising innovations. Local brands that have proven successful in smaller 365 stores like Rockenwagner Bakery or Groundworks Coffee are among the numerous local brands Amazon is trying to promote. This lets shoppers enjoy a an authentic experience when they visit the grocery store and also builds loyalty.

3. Walmart

Shopping online is becoming more popular due to busy work schedules, family obligations and a general dislike of crowds. Click and ship makes everything simpler for everyone, from clothing to office equipment. Now, grocery shopping has joined the party.

Online grocery stores are on the rise with many offering convenience while others provide quality products at reasonable prices. Which one is right for you? We've rounded-up the best grocery delivery services to help you choose the right one for you.

Instacart is a renowned online shopping sites for clothes grocery service that connects you to personal shoppers who can shop for you at local stores. It is accessible in a multitude of cities and is a great option for shoppers who like to shop at supermarket chains but also want to avail discounts at wholesalers such as Costco and Aldi. Instacart provides same-day delivery in a variety of markets and includes stores like Food Lion, Kroger and Wegmans. It even has an option for bulk items which is ideal for those who regularly go to the grocery store to buy staples.

Walmart is another major name in the grocery e-commerce world. The online ordering platform allows customers to choose an appointment time or pickup and then select the items you want from a virtual shopping cart. The site offers rollback deals and offers a wide range of products, ranging from produce to pantry staples and personal products for health. There is also the Walmart+ service that delivers food items and other products from local stores.

Thrive Market, an online grocery store, specializes in organic foods and non-GMO products. The membership fee is $5 per month, which is paid annually. It provides a variety of choices for food items such as fish, meat and dairy. 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 lifesaver to many busy families. Not only do these services help you shave one weekly errand off your to-do list and aid in budget your meals and meal plans. Not all online grocery stores provide the same services. It's crucial to select the right service, whether you're seeking convenience or a broad selection of products.

Other online grocery stores offer convenient delivery and pickup options. Instacart is one of the grocery stores online that uses personal shoppers to shop at local stores and then deliver your order to your home or office. Other companies, such as Walmart Grocery, allow you to shop online, and then take your order to a designated place.

Thrive Market is another popular online grocery store that provides a variety of organic and natural items. These include pantry staples, cleaning supplies and much more. In contrast to other online grocery stores Thrive doesn't have an order minimum or a flat delivery fees. The company also offers a free membership that lets you test the service for up to two weeks prior to paying for it.

Smith's provides a grocery delivery service for customers who are eligible for government benefits. The service accepts EBT or SNAP cards. Select the store's location on your Smith's App shop, place your order and then choose the time of pickup. When you arrive at your chosen location, park in your designated spot and dial a number to notify an associate that you are there. The associate will take your order out to you in the parking space.

5. Peapod

A pioneer in online grocery shopping, Peapod operates in 24 markets in the US. Customers can place orders and receive delivery of pantry items, groceries fresh produce, deli products, meats, dairy organic and natural food and prepared meals, school and office items, personal care products and alcohol in certain markets. Customers can also take orders to more than 200 Peapod pickup locations, many of which are attached to Ahold USA-owned brick and mortar stores like Stop & Shop.

Peapod uses data to track customers' top brands and items which allows the online retailer to recommend similar items. It also lets shoppers look through all the items in their cart at a glance and use filters to narrow results. Since grocery shopping is a routine activity, the Skokie company, based in Illinois, makes use of data to predict which products a customer is likely to purchase and then push them to the top of the list.

The service is based on its drivers, which are also referred to as brand ambassadors. "Food is emotionally charged," Bienkowski told Food Dive, and being able to interact with the person who brings customers their orders makes the experience more pleasant and convenient. When customers see their food items delivered by the driver, they know that their purchase is in good hands.

Peapod, as the first to pioneer online grocery shopping, has invested in technology so that it is able to compete with its rivals. However, it hasn't been able to make as much of a dent in the industry as other delivery services for groceries, like Instacart and Amazon Fresh. However, the 28-year veteran of the online grocery delivery wars is working to boost its competitiveness by expanding its online shopping options. It recently launched a brand new mobile shopping experience that is based on its proprietary PRISM platform at its own websites, and also those of its parent company, Ahold Delhaize USA.