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Which is Best For Online Grocery Shopping?

Online grocery stores offer a broad range of quality products at prices that may be lower than your local store. To figure out which is the best option, I tested several well-known services to find ones that offer various brands, high-quality products and fair prices with a convenient delivery or pick-up option.

A key to online shopping is making a list and claiming a delivery timelot before spots fill up. It is also important to be flexible in your choices in relation to the availability of the items.

1. Instacart

This online grocery delivery service lets you order via an app on your mobile or a website creating a virtual shopping cart that is then fulfilled by an individual shopper on a particular day. Instacart works with over 1,400 local, national, and regional retail banners across North America to deliver products from more than 80,000 locations. You can also find stores that are membership-only like Costco and Sam’s Club, on the platform.

Instacart’s fees include a $2.99 same-day delivery fee and a $3.99 service charge (plus a tip for the customer). These fees are similar to what you’d pay at your local grocery store. However, you don’t need to drive, stand in the line. In addition that if you shop on Instacart at minimum 14 times a year you can sign-up for an annual Instacartmembership to save money on delivery and service fees.

If you’re worried about your grocery costs, Hindert suggests price-shopping prior to adding items into your cart. Instacart offers the ability to add specific prices and nutrition facts to your list, Stomp Rocket Game so you can compare prices and ingredients with those of the items you already have in your cart. You can also create a “shoppable list” using the Instacart application. This is beneficial for future grocery shopping trips.

Hindert argues that Instacart might not be the most efficient option for grocery shopping as it can lead to buying impulse items. Additionally, grocery delivery services don’t always offer the same sales in stores that you would discover at your local grocery store.

2. Amazon Grocery

Amazon Grocery lets customers have their groceries delivered directly to their door. The products are delivered from local Amazon warehouses and can be collected by an individual courier or dropped off at a designated location (where you need to be present to pick up your order). The service provides same-day or next-day delivery. Amazon provides a wide range of grocery items such as fresh fruits and vegetables dairy products, seafood and meats, frozen food, packaged food and household items.

Amazon Grocery has become one of the most sought-after services for grocery shopping, and for good reason. It has a competitive pricing structure, a huge variety of products, and a host of convenient features that make it an excellent choice for anyone who wants to save time and money on groceries. The service is also a great choice for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint.

Bishop of Brick Meets Click said that Amazon Grocery’s focus on daily food shopping and its reasonable price, and its curated selection puts it in direct competition with traditional supermarkets. “Grocers who don’t standout in any of these categories are more susceptible to Amazon Grocery,” Bishop added.

To encourage more frequent and more substantial grocery purchases among its Prime membership, Amazon has introduced a number of new perks, including unlimited delivery of groceries. This will allow the company to establish itself as an all-in-one store for a lot of its customers’ needs.

Another way Amazon is trying to attract customers to its grocery stores is through merchandising innovation. They include local brands that were successful in its smaller 365 stores such as Rockenwagner Bakery and Groundworks Coffee. This gives shoppers a a more authentic experience at the grocery store and also builds loyalty.

3. Walmart

With hectic work schedules and family commitments, as well as a general dislike for crowds, it’s no surprise that shopping online is a favorite option. Click and ship makes everything easier, from clothing to office items. Now, grocery shopping is becoming a part of the fun.

Online grocery stores are booming. Some offer convenience, while others offer quality products at competitive prices. Which one is best for you? We’ve reviewed the most popular grocery delivery services to help you select the best option for you.

Instacart is a top online grocery service that connects you with personal shoppers who shop for you at local stores. It works in thousands of cities and can be an excellent option for those who prefer chain supermarkets however, they also wish to benefit from discounts at wholesalers such as Costco and Aldi. Instacart offers same-day delivery to many markets and includes stores like Food Lion, Kroger and Wegmans. It even has a service for bulk items, which is perfect for those who frequently go to the grocery store to buy staples.

Walmart is a big name in the world of e-commerce for grocery items. Its online ordering system allows customers to choose an appointment time or pickup and then select the items you want from a virtual cart. The site offers rollback deals, and a wide range of items from produce to pantry essentials to personal care products. Walmart+ is a service that delivers groceries from local stores.

Thrive Market, an online grocery store that specializes in organic food and non-GMO products. The membership fee is $5 per month, and is charged annually, and it has many different food items to pick from, such as meat, fish and dairy. Thrive delivers for free on orders of more than $35, and its selection includes healthy items that are good for the environment and you.

4. Smith’s

Online grocery shopping can be lifesaver for many busy families. Not only do these services help you shave one task off your weekly to-do list, but they can also help you plan your meals and budget. Not all online grocery stores provide the same features. Whether you’re looking for convenience, a variety of products, or the most affordable price, you must select the best service for your family.

Other online grocery stores provide convenient delivery and pickup options. Some, such as Instacart, utilize personal shoppers who visit local stores to shop for your order and then deliver the item to your office or home. Others, such as Walmart Grocery, allow you to shop online, and then take your order to the designated place.

Thrive Market, another popular online grocery store, features a wide variety of organic and natural products such as pantry staples and cleaning supplies. In contrast to other grocery stores on the internet Thrive doesn’t have any minimum orders or a flat delivery charges. Additionally, it offers an option for free membership that allows you to try the service for two weeks before you decide to sign up for the service.

For those who depend on government benefits, Smith’s offers an online grocery service that accepts EBT and SNAP cards for pickup at more than 70 stores. To make use of this service, Built-In Wheels Bin simply choose the store location from your Smith’s app, shop and place your order, and then select a pickup time and parking spot. When you arrive, park in your parking space and dial a number to inform an associate you’re there. The associate will carry your order out to you in the parking lot.

5. Peapod

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

Peapod uses data to identify shoppers’ favorite brands and products which allows the online retailer to recommend similar products. It also allows shoppers to see all the items in their cart in a single glance and use search filters to narrow results. Because shopping for groceries is a habit-driven activity the Skokie, Illinois-based company makes use of data to predict which items the customer will purchase and push these items to the top of the list.

Its drivers who are known as brand ambassadors, play a crucial component of the service. “Food is inherently emotional,” Bienkowski told Food Dive, and being able interact with the person delivering customers their orders makes the experience more enjoyable and convenient. And unlike many online deliveries, when customers are able to see the driver carrying their groceries, they can be confident that the order is in good hands.

Peapod is the first to pioneer online grocery shopping has invested in technology to ensure that it can remain competitive against its rivals. But it hasn’t been able to make as much of a dent in the industry as other grocery delivery services like Instacart and Amazon Fresh. But the 28-year veteran of the online grocery delivery wars is working to boost its competitiveness by expanding its e-commerce offerings. It recently launched a new mobile shopping experience that is based on its exclusive PRISM platform on its own websites, and also those of its parent company, Ahold Delhaize USA.