Which is Best For Online Grocery Shopping?

Many online grocers provide high-quality items at prices that might out-perform your usual grocery stop. I tested a variety of popular options to determine which one is the best. I looked for those that offer variety, quality brands, and reasonable prices, and a convenient option for delivery or pick-up.

One of the most important aspects of online shopping is planning your list and claiming a delivery timeslot before the slots fill up. You'll also have to be willing to swap items depending on the availability.

1. Instacart

This grocery delivery service online allows you to order on an app or website creating a virtual shopping cart that's fulfilled by personal shoppers on a specific day. Instacart partners with more than 1400 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from 80,000+ stores across North America. You can even find 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 charge (plus a tip for the shopper). These charges are similar to the ones you pay when you shop at your usual grocery store but you don't need to worry about parking, driving and standing in line to pay. Instacart offers a year-long membership to customers who shop at least 14 times in a year. This will help you save money on delivery and service charges.

Hindert suggests that you do a price comparison prior to adding items to your shopping cart if you are concerned about the cost of groceries. Instacart lets you add nutrition information and prices specific to your list to allow you to compare the prices and ingredients of the items in your cart. You can also create a "shoppable list" using the Instacart application. This is helpful for future grocery shopping trips.

However, Hindert warns that using Instacart to purchase groceries might not be as beneficial than shopping on your own because it can lead to purchase impulses. In addition, grocery delivery services don't always offer the same in-store sales that you would find at your local supermarket.

2. Amazon Grocery

With Amazon Grocery, individuals can have their groceries delivered right to their doorstep. The items are delivered from local Amazon warehouses via couriers or at an attended location. The service offers both same-day and next-day delivery options. Amazon offers a wide variety of grocery products, including fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, seafood and meats, frozen food, packaged foods, and household items.

Amazon Grocery is one of the most popular grocery-shopping services available, and with good reason. Its low prices, wide range of items and practical features make it a great option for shoppers looking to save money and time on their grocery shopping. In addition the service has a strong sustainability factor and is a great choice for those trying to reduce their carbon footprint.

Bishop of Brick Meets Click said that Amazon Grocery's focus on grocery shopping for the week, its affordable price point and its carefully curated range puts it directly in concurrence with traditional supermarkets. "Grocers that don't stand out in any of these categories are most vulnerable to Amazon Grocery," Bishop added.

In order to encourage more frequent and larger grocery purchases among its Prime membership, Amazon has introduced a number of new perks, including unlimited delivery of groceries. This will help the company position itself as an all-in-one store for a large portion of its customers' everyday needs.

Another way Amazon is attempting to attract customers to its grocery stores is through its merchandising ideas. Local brands that have proven successful in smaller stores like Rockenwagner Bakery or Groundworks Coffee are among the numerous local brands that Amazon is promoting. This provides customers with an authentic shopping experience and makes it easy to build loyalty.

3. Walmart

Shopping online is becoming more popular due to hectic work schedules, family obligations, and general disdain for crowds. From office supplies to clothing it's all simpler when you just click and ship. Now groceries are becoming a part of the fun.

online famous shopping sites grocery stores are on the rise with many offering convenience while others provide quality items at competitive prices. But which one is right for you? We've rounded-up the best grocery delivery services to help you choose the best one for you.

Instacart is a leading online grocery service that connects you with personal shoppers who can shop for you at local stores. It is accessible in thousands of cities, and can be an excellent option for shoppers who like to shop at chain supermarkets but also want to avail discounts at wholesalers like Costco and Aldi. Instacart provides same-day delivery in a variety of markets, and includes stores such as Food Lion, Kroger and Wegmans. It even has a service for bulk items, which is perfect for those who frequently go to the store to buy staples.

Walmart is another big name in the world of grocery e-commerce. You can place an order online and select the time of pickup or delivery, then add your items to the virtual shopping cart. The site offers rollback deals, and a wide range of products from produce to pantry essentials to personal care items. Walmart+ is a service that delivers groceries from local stores.

Thrive Market, an online grocery store is a specialist in organic food and non-GMO items. Its membership costs $5 per month, and is charged annually, and it has a wide variety of food to choose from, including fish, meat and dairy. Thrive offers free shipping on orders over $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 for many families with busy schedules. These services can not only help you shave one errand per week off your to-do list however, they can also make it easier to plan your meals and budget. However not all online grocery stores are created to be the same. If you're looking for convenience, a variety of products, or the most affordable price, it's essential to choose the right service for your family.

Other online grocery stores provide convenient pickup and delivery options. Some, such as Instacart, utilize personal shoppers who visit local stores to look for your order and then deliver it to your home or office. Others, such as Walmart Grocery, allow you to shop online and take your order to an agreed-upon location.

Thrive Market, another popular online grocery store, has a variety of organic and natural products that include pantry staples as well as cleaning supplies. Unlike other online grocers, the Thrive Market does not have an minimum order or a flat fee for delivery. It also has a free membership option which lets you test the service for a period of two weeks before you 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. Choose the store's location in your Smith's App, shop for your groceries, place your order and then choose an appropriate time for pickup. When you arrive, park in your parking space and dial an number to inform an associate you're there. The associate will bring your order out to you in the parking area.

5. Peapod

A pioneer in online shopping sites top 7 grocery shopping, Peapod operates in 24 markets across the US. Customers can place orders and receive deliveries of pantry items, groceries, fresh produce, deli items such as meats, dairy, natural and organic foods, prepared meals, office and school items, personal care products and alcohol in specific markets. Customers can also pick up their orders at over 200 Peapod pickup points, many of which are located in brick-and-mortar stores operated by Ahold USA like Stop & Shop.

Peapod uses data to identify the brands that are popular with shoppers and products which allows the online retailer to recommend similar items. It also lets shoppers view all items in their cart in a single glance and use filters to narrow results. Since grocery shopping is a habit-driven practice, the Skokie company in Illinois utilizes data to predict the products the shopper would buy and then push them to the top of the list.

The drivers who are referred to as brand ambassadors, are a key element of the service. "Food is inherently emotional," Bienkowski told Food Dive, and being able interact with the person who brings customers their food makes the experience more enjoyable and convenient. When customers are able to see their groceries delivered by the driver they are assured that their order is in safe hands.

As an early innovator of online grocery shopping, Peapod has invested in technology to remain competitive against its rivals. It hasn't made as much of an impact on the market as other delivery services for groceries like Instacart or Amazon Fresh. The veteran of 28 years in the online grocery wars is trying to improve its competitiveness by expanding its online options. It launched a new mobile experience that is based on the PRISM platform which is exclusive to Ahold Delhaize USA, and its own websites.