Which is Best For Online Grocery Shopping?

Many online grocers offer quality items at prices that are more affordable than your usual grocery stop. To determine which one is the best option, I tested several popular services to find ones that offer variety, quality brands and reasonable prices, along with convenient delivery or pick-up option.

Shopping online is about planning your list and making sure you've booked your delivery time before it gets full. You'll also have to be able to make changes according to availability.

1. Instacart

The online grocery delivery service lets you order via either a mobile app or web site and create a virtual cart that is delivered by a personal shopper on a specific day. Instacart collaborates with more than 1400 national regional, local, and retail banners to deliver food 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 delivery same-day and the $3.99 cost for service (plus an additional tip to the shopper). These charges are similar to the ones you pay when you shop at your usual grocery shop but you don't need to worry about parking, driving, and waiting in line to pay. Instacart offers a year-long membership for those who purchase at minimum 14 times a year. This will reduce your costs for delivery and service fees.

Hindert suggests that you conduct a price-shopping before adding items to your shopping cart if you are concerned about the price of groceries. Instacart allows you to add nutrition facts and prices specific to your list so that you can compare the prices and the ingredients of the items you have 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 since it can result in buying impulse items. Additionally grocery delivery services may not always provide the same discounts that your local grocery store.

2. Amazon Grocery

With Amazon Grocery, individuals can have their groceries delivered directly to their doorstep. The products come from local Amazon warehouses and can be delivered 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 grocery items such as fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, meats and seafood packaged foods, frozen food, and household items.

Amazon Grocery has become one of the most sought-after services for grocery shopping and for good reason. Its competitive pricing, huge selection and practical features make it a good option for those who want to save money and time on their shopping. It is also a great choice for those who want to lower their carbon footprint.

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

Amazon has introduced new perks that will help Prime customers to place more and bigger grocery orders. One of them is unlimited grocery delivery. This will make the company a one-stop shop for many customers' daily requirements.

Another method Amazon is trying to attract customers to its stores for groceries is through its merchandising innovations. Local brands that have proven successful in smaller 365 stores like Rockenwagner Bakery or Groundworks Coffee are among the many local brands Amazon is trying to promote. This gives shoppers a more authentic grocery experience and makes it easier to build loyalty.

3. Walmart

With a hectic schedule of work and family commitments, as well as general dislike of crowds, it's no wonder that shopping online is a popular option. From clothing to office supplies it's all simpler when you just click and send. Now grocery shopping has joined the fun.

Online grocery stores are booming with some offering convenience, while others offer High Quality Jute Rug Runner-quality products at affordable 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 grocery store that connects you with personal shoppers who will shop for you in local stores. It is available in thousands of cities and can be an ideal option for shoppers who prefer chain supermarkets and want to take advantage of 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 the option of bulk purchases that are ideal for those who make frequent trips to the supermarket to buy essentials.

Walmart is a household name in e-commerce for grocery items. You can order online and pick the time of delivery or pickup, then add your items to an online shopping cart. The site offers rollback discounts and offers a wide range of products, ranging from produce to pantry products and personal items for personal care. Walmart+ is a service that provides groceries from local stores.

Thrive Market, an online grocery store that specializes in organic food and non-GMO products. Membership costs $5 per month, billed annually. It has a wide range of choices for food items including fish, meat and dairy. Thrive provides free delivery for orders over $35. Its selection includes healthy items for both you and the environment.

4. Smith's

Online grocery shopping can be a lifesaver to many families with busy schedules. These services can help you not only take one chore from your weekly list, Vimeo but also to plan your meals and budget. Not all online stores offer the same services. If you're looking to find convenience, a wide range of products or the best price, it's important to select the right option for your family.

Other online grocery stores offer convenient pickup and delivery options. Some, like Instacart use personal shoppers who visit local stores to purchase your order and then deliver the item to your home or office. Others, like Walmart Grocery, allow you to shop online and then take your order to the designated location.

Thrive Market is another popular online grocery store that offers a wide range of natural and organic products. These include essentials for your pantry, cleaning products, and more. Unlike other grocery stores on the internet Thrive doesn't charge an order minimum or a flat delivery fees. It also has a free membership option which lets you test the service for two weeks before you decide to sign up for the service.

Smith's provides a grocery delivery service for Vimeo customers who are eligible for government benefits. The service is available for EBT or SNAP cards. To use this service, simply choose the store location from your Smith's app, shop and place your order, and then choose a time for pickup and a parking space. When you arrive, pull into your parking space and dial the number to inform the associate that you're there. The associate will deliver your order to you in parking lot.

5. Peapod

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

Peapod utilizes data to determine customers' top brands and products which allows the online retailer to recommend similar items. The system lets shoppers look through all items in their shopping cart at the same time and make use of filters to narrow down results. Since shopping for groceries is a habit-driven activity, the Skokie company, based in Illinois, uses data to predict what products a customer is likely to purchase, pushing these items towards the top of the list.

The company's service is based on its drivers, which are also referred to as brand ambassadors. "Food is a very emotional experience," Bienkowski told Food Dive and being able to interact with the person who brings customers their orders makes the experience more enjoyable and practical. And unlike many online deliveries, when customers meet the driver with their groceries, they know that the order is in good hands.

As an early pioneer of online grocery shopping, Peapod has invested in technology to stay competitive against its competitors. However, it hasn't managed to make as much of a dent in the industry as other grocery delivery services, like Instacart and Amazon Fresh. The veteran of 28 years of the battle of online grocery stores is trying to boost its competitiveness by expanding its e-commerce offerings. It recently launched a new mobile shopping experience based on its proprietary PRISM platform at its own websites as well as those of its parent company, Ahold Delhaize USA.