Which is Best For Online Grocery Shopping?

Many online grocers now provide high-quality items at prices that may be more expensive than your usual grocery stop. I compared several popular options to determine which one is the most efficient. I looked for those that offer variety, quality brands, and reasonable prices, as well as an easy option for delivery or pick-up.

Online shopping 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 changes according to availability.

1. Instacart

This grocery delivery service online lets you order through a website or mobile app, creating a virtual shopping cart that's fulfilled by a personal shopper on a specific day. Instacart is a partner with more than 1400 national regional, local, and retail banners to deliver groceries from 80,000+ stores across North America. You can even find stores with membership only like Costco and Sam's Club, on the platform.

Instacart charges an $2.99 fee for same-day delivery and the $3.99 fee for service (plus an additional tip to the shopper). These charges are similar to those associated with shopping at your local grocery shop, but you don't have to worry about parking, driving and standing in queue to pay. In addition when you shop with Instacart at minimum 14 times a year, you can sign up for an annual Instacartmembership and save on delivery and service charges.

If you're concerned about grocery costs, you should price-shop before adding items to your cart. Instacart allows you to add nutrition facts and specific prices to your list to allow you to compare the prices and ingredients of the items you have in your cart. It is also possible to use your Instacart application to create a "shoppable" shopping list that you can reuse to make future grocery trips.

However, Ghost 12 sneakers Hindert explains that using Instacart to purchase groceries might not be as beneficial as doing your own shopping since it can result in buying impulse items. Additionally, grocery delivery services don't always offer the same sales in stores that you would find at your local supermarket.

2. Amazon Grocery

With Amazon Grocery users can get their groceries delivered directly to their doorstep. The products are delivered from local Amazon warehouses by couriers or at a designated location. The service is available for same-day or next-day delivery. Amazon has a broad selection of groceries available, including fresh products, dairy seafood, meat and other frozen food, packaged goods and household products.

Amazon Grocery has become one of the most popular services for grocery shopping, and for good reason. Its competitive pricing, huge selection and practical features make it a great option for shoppers looking to save time and money on their shopping. It is an excellent option for those looking to cut down on their carbon footprint.

Bishop of Brick Meets Click said that Amazon Grocery's emphasis on weekly food shopping, its affordable price point and its carefully curated range puts it directly in competition against traditional supermarkets. "Grocers who don't standout in one of these categories are the most vulnerable to Amazon Grocery," Bishop added.

Amazon has added new perks to encourage its Prime members to place more and bigger grocery orders. One of them is the ability to deliver groceries for free. This will make the company a one-stop shop for many customers' everyday requirements.

Another method Amazon is attempting to draw customers to its grocery stores is through its merchandising ideas. Local brands that have proven successful in smaller 365 stores such as Rockenwagner Bakery or Groundworks Coffee are among the numerous local brands that Amazon is promoting. This provides shoppers with an authentic shopping experience and makes it easier to build loyalty.

3. Walmart

Shopping online is becoming increasingly popular due to busy work schedules, family obligations and general dislike of crowds. From clothing to office supplies, everything seems easier when you can just click and send. Now grocery shopping is also part of the party.

Online grocery stores are on the rise with some offering convenience while others provide high-quality products at affordable prices. Which one is the best for you? We've rounded-up the most popular grocery delivery services to help you pick the best one for you.

Instacart is a renowned online grocery service that connects you with personal shoppers who shop for you at local stores. It operates in a variety of cities and can be a great option for shoppers who prefer chain supermarkets however, they also wish to avail discounts at wholesalers such as Costco and Aldi. Instacart offers same-day delivery in numerous markets, and its selection includes stores like Food Lion, Kroger, Wegmans and Shop n Save. It offers bulk items as well, which is ideal for those who frequent the store to stock on staples.

Walmart is another major name in the world of e-commerce for groceries. You can shop online and select a time for pickup or delivery, then add your items to the virtual shopping cart. The site has rollback deals and a variety of products ranging from produce pantry staples to personal care items. Walmart+ is a service that provides groceries from local stores.

Thrive Market, an online grocery store, specializes in organic foods and non-GMO items. Its membership costs $5 a month, which is paid annually. It has a wide range of food items to choose from including fish, meat and dairy. Thrive offers free delivery on orders of more than $35. Its selection includes healthy options for you and the planet.

4. Smith's

Online grocery shopping can be a godsend for many families who are busy. These services can allow you to not only cut one weekly chore off your list, but also to plan your meals and budget. Not all online stores offer the same services. It is crucial to choose the right service, whether you're looking for convenience or a large selection of products.

Other online grocery stores provide convenient pickup and delivery options. Some, such as Instacart make use of personal shoppers who visit local stores to purchase your order, and then deliver it to your office or home. Others, like Walmart Grocery, allow you to shop online, and then pickup your order at an agreed-upon place.

Thrive Market, another popular online grocery store, Durable Storage Containers has an array of organic and natural products, including pantry staples and cleaning supplies. Unlike other online grocery stores, Thrive doesn't have a minimum order or flat delivery fee. The company also offers a free membership that lets you try the service for up to two weeks before you pay for it.

Smith's offers a curbside grocery service for shoppers who use government benefits. The service is available for EBT or SNAP cards. Select the store location in your Smith's App Shop for your groceries, place your order and then choose the time of pickup. When you arrive at your chosen location, park in your designated space and dial a number to notify an associate that you are there. The associate will then deliver your order to you in parking lot.

5. Peapod

Peapod is the first to offer online grocery shopping. It is available in 24 US markets. Customers can order and receive delivery of pantry items, groceries fresh produce, deli goods such as meats, dairy organic and natural food, prepared meals, school and office items, personal care products and alcohol at certain markets. Customers can also pick up their purchases at over 200 Peapod pickup points most of which are located inside brick-and-mortar stores owned by Ahold USA like Stop & Shop.

Peapod uses data to track the brands that are popular with shoppers and items which allows the online retailer to suggest similar items. The system allows shoppers to view everything in their shopping carts at once and apply filters to narrow the results. Since shopping for groceries is a habit-driven activity, the Skokie company, based in Illinois, uses data to predict what items the customer will purchase and push these items to the top of the list.

The service is based around its drivers, which are also referred to as brand ambassadors. Bienkowski explained to Food Dive that food is an emotional experience. Being able to interact directly with the person who is delivering the order makes it more convenient and pleasant. When customers see their groceries delivered by the driver they are assured that their order is safe with the driver.

Peapod, as the first to pioneer online grocery shopping has invested in technology so that it can remain competitive with its rivals. But it hasn't been able to make as much of an impact as other grocery delivery services such as Instacart and Amazon Fresh. However, the 28-year veteran of the online grocery delivery battles is working to boost its competitiveness by expanding its offerings on e-commerce. It recently launched a new mobile shopping experience that is based on its exclusive PRISM platform at its own websites as well as those of its parent company, Ahold Delhaize USA.