Which is Best For Online Grocery Shopping?

Online grocery stores offer a broad variety of quality goods at prices that are cheaper than your local grocery store. To determine which is the best option, I tested several well-known options to find those that offer various brands, high-quality products and fair prices with convenient delivery or pick-up option.

Shopping online is all about planning your list, and claiming your delivery time slot before it fills up. You will also need to be flexible with your choices based on the availability of the products.

1. Instacart

This grocery delivery service online allows you to place orders on either a mobile or web-based application and creates a virtual shopping cart that's fulfilled by an individual shopper on a specified day. Instacart is a partner with more than 1400 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver groceries from more than 80,000 stores across North America. There are even stores that are membership-only, such as Costco and Sam's Club, on the platform.

Instacart's costs include a $2.99 delivery fee on the same day and an additional $3.99 service charge (plus tips for the shopper). These fees are similar to those associated with ordering at your regular grocery store, but you don't have to be concerned about parking, driving, and waiting in the line to pay. In addition that if you shop on Instacart at minimum 14 times per year, you can sign up for an annual Instacart+ membership to save on delivery and service fees.

If you're worried about your grocery costs, Hindert suggests price-shopping prior to adding items to your cart. Instacart offers the ability to add specific prices and nutrition facts to your list, Professional Ethernet Cable so you can compare prices and ingredients to those of the items you already have in your cart. It is also possible to make use of your Instacart app to create an "shoppable" shopping list that you can use for future grocery shopping trips.

However, Hindert explains that using Instacart to purchase groceries may not be as beneficial as doing your own shopping as it could lead to buying impulse items. Additionally grocery delivery services do not always provide the same sales that you can discover at your local grocery store.

2. Amazon Grocery

Amazon Grocery allows individuals to get their groceries delivered directly to their doorstep. The products are delivered from local Amazon warehouses and can be delivered by an individual courier or dropped off at an attended location (where you have to be there to pick up your order). The service provides same-day or next-day delivery. Amazon has a broad selection of grocery items available, including fresh products, dairy seafood, meat, frozen food, packaged goods and household items.

Amazon Grocery has become one of the most popular services for grocery shopping, and for good reason. Its competitive pricing, large range of items and convenient features make it a good option for those who want to save money and time on their groceries. It is also a great option for those who want to lower their carbon footprint.

Bishop of Brick Meets Click said that Amazon Grocery's focus is on weekly food shopping and its reasonable price, and its curated range puts it directly in competition with traditional supermarkets. "Grocers that don't stand out in one of these categories are most vulnerable to Amazon Grocery," Bishop added.

In order to encourage more frequent and more substantial grocery purchases in its Prime members, Amazon has introduced a number of new perks, including unlimited delivery of groceries. This will allow the company to make itself an all-in-one shop for many of its customers' everyday requirements.

Another way 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 like Rockenwagner Bakery or Groundworks Coffee are among the numerous local brands Amazon is promoting. This allows shoppers to have an authentic experience in the grocery store and also builds loyalty.

3. Walmart

With a hectic schedule of work, family commitments and general dislike of crowds, it's no surprise that shopping online is a popular choice. From office supplies to clothing, everything seems easier when you can just click and ship. Now grocery shopping has joined the fun.

Online grocery stores are booming. Some provide convenience, while others provide high-quality products at affordable prices. Which one is right for you? To help you choose the best grocery delivery service, we've reviewed the top choices.

Instacart is a renowned online grocery service provides you with personal shoppers who will shop for you at local stores. It is available in thousands of cities and can be an ideal option for shoppers who prefer chain supermarkets, but also want to take advantage of discounts at wholesalers like Costco and Aldi. Instacart provides same-day delivery to several markets, and its selection includes stores such as Food Lion, Kroger, Wegmans and Shop n Save. It also offers an option for bulk items that are ideal for those who regularly go to the store to buy essentials.

Walmart is another major name in the grocery e-commerce world. Its online ordering system lets you to pick the time of delivery or pickup and then select your items from a virtual shopping cart. The site offers rollback deals and has a good range of products, ranging from produce to pantry staples and personal products for health. There is also the Walmart+ service that delivers grocery items and other items from local stores.

Thrive Market is an online grocery store that specializes in organic and non-GMO foods. Membership costs $5 per month, and is charged annually, and offers an array of foods to select 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 with busy schedules. These services can help you to not only cut one chore per week off your list, but also to plan meals and to budget. However there are many differences between grocery stores online are equal. If you're looking to find convenience, a variety of products, or the most affordable price, it's important to select the best service for your family.

In addition to Smith's, several other online grocers provide convenient delivery and pick-up options. Some, such as Instacart make use of personal shoppers who visit local stores to purchase your purchase and then deliver the item to your workplace or home. Walmart Grocery is one of the many options that allow you to shop on-line and pick up your purchase at a designated store.

Thrive Market, another popular online grocery store, offers a wide variety of natural and organic products, including pantry staples and cleaning products. In contrast to other online grocery stores, Thrive doesn't have a minimum order or flat delivery charges. The company also offers a free membership that allows you to test the service for up to two weeks before paying for it.

Smith's offers a curbside grocery service for shoppers who use government benefits. The service is available for EBT or SNAP cards. To avail this service, simply select the store's location on your Smith's app then shop and place your order, and then choose a pickup time and parking spot. When you arrive, park in your parking spot and dial the number to inform an associate you're there. The associate will take your order out to you in the parking lot.

5. Peapod

Peapod is an innovator in online grocery shopping. It is available in 24 US markets. In certain markets, customers can place orders and pick up groceries, pantry products fresh produce and deli items, meats and dairy organic and natural food items, prepared meals and office and school items delivered. They can also pick up alcohol and personal care items. Customers also can take orders to more than 200 Peapod pickup locations, most of which are located within 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 allows shoppers to look through all the items in their cart in a single glance and then use search filters to narrow results. Since shopping for groceries is a habit-driven practice, the Skokie company in Illinois uses data to predict what products the shopper would buy and Digital Tachometer, vimeo.com, push these items to the top of the list.

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

Peapod as an early innovator in online grocery shopping, has invested in technology so that it can stay competitive against its rivals. It hasn't made as much of an impact on the market as other grocery delivery services such as Instacart or Amazon Fresh. The 28-year-old veteran of the battle of online grocery stores is working to increase its competitiveness through expanding its ecommerce options. It recently launched a new mobile shopping experience based on its exclusive PRISM platform at its own websites and also those of its parent company, Ahold Delhaize USA.