Which is Best For Online Grocery Shopping?

Online grocers offer a wide range of quality products at prices that could be less expensive than your local store. To figure out which is the best, I compared a few popular services to find ones that offer variety, quality brands and fair prices with easy delivery or pick-up options.

A key to online shopping is planning your list and claiming a delivery time slot before the spots are filled up. You'll also have to be prepared to make changes depending on the availability.

1. Instacart

This grocery delivery service online allows you to order on either a mobile or web-based application and creates an online shopping cart that is fulfilled by an individual shopper on a specific day. Instacart collaborates with more than 1,400 national, local, and regional retail banners across North America to deliver products from over 80,000 locations. There are membership-only stores, such as Costco or Sam's Club.

Instacart's fees include the $2.99 same-day delivery charge and a $3.99 service fee (plus an extra tip for the customer). These fees are similar to the ones you'd pay at the local grocery store. However, you won't need to drive or park, or wait in line. In addition, if you shop through Instacart at minimum 14 times per year you can sign-up for an annual Instacartmembership to save money on delivery and service fees.

Hindert recommends that you price shop before adding items to your shopping cart if you are concerned about the expense of groceries. Instacart offers the ability to include specific prices and nutrition information to your list, so you can compare prices and ingredients with those of the items you already have in your cart. It is also possible to make use of the Instacart app to create a "shoppable" shopping list that you can use to make future grocery trips.

However, Hindert warns that using Instacart to shop for groceries may not be as beneficial as doing your own shopping since it can result in buying impulse items. In addition, grocery delivery services do not always provide the same sales as your local supermarket.

2. Amazon Grocery

With Amazon Grocery, individuals can have their groceries delivered directly to their doorstep. The items are sourced from local Amazon warehouses and can be picked up by the courier or left at an attended location (where you need to be there to receive your order). The service offers same-day or next-day delivery. Amazon provides a variety of groceries such as 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 selection and practical features make it a good option for shoppers looking to save time and money on their shopping. It's also a great option for those who want to lower their carbon footprint.

Bishop of Brick Meets Click said that Amazon Grocery's emphasis on weekly food shopping, its Affordable 16Gb Flash Drives price point and its well-curated selection puts it in direct competition against traditional supermarkets. "Grocers who don't standout in these categories are more susceptible to Amazon Grocery," Bishop added.

In order to encourage more frequent and larger grocery purchases among its Prime membership, Amazon has introduced a range of new perks including unlimited delivery of groceries. This will make the company an all-in-one shop for many people's daily requirements.

Another method Amazon is trying to attract customers to its stores for groceries is through merchandising innovation. Local brands that have proven successful in smaller 365 stores like Rockenwagner Bakery or Groundworks Coffee are among the numerous local brands that Amazon is promoting. This lets shoppers enjoy a an authentic experience when they visit the supermarket and helps build loyalty.

3. Walmart

With hectic work schedules and family commitments, as well as a general distaste for crowds, it's not a surprise that shopping online is a popular option. From office supplies to clothing it's all easier when you click and ship. Now the grocery store is being included in the fun.

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

Instacart, a leading online grocery store that connects you with personal shoppers who shop for you in local stores. It is accessible in over a thousand cities and is a great option for shoppers who like to shop at chain supermarkets but want to avail discounts at wholesalers such as Costco and Aldi. Instacart offers same-day delivery in many markets, and its selection includes stores like Food Lion, Kroger, Wegmans and Shop n Save. It also offers bulk items as well, which is perfect for those who regularly visit the store to stock up on essential items.

Walmart is another well-known brand in the world of grocery e-commerce. You can shop online and select a time for pickup or delivery, then add your purchases to the virtual shopping cart. The site offers rollback deals and a broad selection of products ranging from produce pantry essentials to personal care products. There is also a Walmart+ service that delivers groceries and other items from local stores.

Thrive Market, an online grocery store is a specialist in organic food and non-GMO products. Membership costs $5 per month, and is charged annually, and offers an array of foods to pick from, such as meat, fish and dairy. Thrive delivers for free on orders above $35. Its selection includes healthy options that are good for the environment and you.

4. Smith's

Online grocery shopping can be a godsend for many families who are busy. These services can not only let you cut one weekly errand off your to-do list and aid in plan your meals and budget. Not all online grocery stores offer the same services. It is crucial to choose the right option, whether you're looking for convenience or a broad selection of products.

Other online grocery stores also offer convenient delivery and pickup options. Instacart is one of the online grocery stores that allows personal shoppers to shop at local stores and deliver your order to your home or office. Others, like Walmart Grocery, allow you to shop online and take your order to the designated place.

Thrive Market is another popular online grocery store offering a wide range of organic and natural products. These include pantry staples, cleaning supplies, and more. Unlike other online grocers, Thrive does not have an minimum order requirement or a flat rate for deliveries. It also offers an unpaid membership that lets you test the service for up to two weeks before you pay for it.

Smith's offers a curbside grocery service for those who purchase government benefits. The service accepts EBT or SNAP cards. To avail this service, simply select the store's location from your Smith's app then shop and place your order, and then choose a time for pickup and a parking spot. Once you arrive at your chosen location, park in your designated spot and dial a number to alert an associate that you're there. The associate will deliver your order to you in parking lot.

5. Peapod

Peapod is an innovator in online grocery shopping. It is present in 24 US markets. Customers can place orders and receive deliveries of groceries, pantry items, fresh produce, deli items and meats, dairy products, natural and organic foods as well as prepared meals, school and office items, personal care products and alcohol in specific markets. Customers can also pick up orders at more than 200 Peapod pickup locations, many of which are attached to Ahold USA-owned brick and mortar stores such as Stop & Shop.

Peapod uses the data it collects to determine the brands and products that customers like, and allows them to suggest similar items. The system allows shoppers to look through every item in their shopping carts at once and Vimeo also apply filters to narrow down results. And since grocery shopping is a habit-driven activity, the Skokie-based company uses information to predict which products the consumer will buy and push them to the top of the list.

The drivers who are known as brand ambassadors, are an essential aspect of the service. Bienkowski said to Food Dive that food is an emotional experience. Being able to interact directly with the person delivering the food makes it more convenient and pleasant. When customers see their food items delivered by the driver they are assured that their order is in good hands.

Peapod, as the first to pioneer online grocery shopping, has poured money in technology so that it is able to compete with its rivals. However, it hasn't been able to make as much of an impact as other grocery delivery services such as Instacart and Amazon Fresh. The 28-year-old veteran of the online grocery wars is working to increase its competitiveness by expanding its ecommerce offerings. It launched a new mobile experience based on the PRISM platform which is exclusive to Ahold Delhaize USA, and its own websites.