Which is Best For Online Grocery Shopping?

Many online grocers now provide high-quality items at prices that are more affordable than the typical grocery store. To figure out which is the best option, I tested several well-known services to find those that offer variety, quality brands and fair prices with easy delivery or pick-up options.

Online shopping is all about planning your list, and claiming your delivery time slot before it fills up. You'll also have to be flexible with your choices based on availability of the items.

1. Instacart

This online grocery delivery service allows you to place orders on either a mobile or web-based application and creates a virtual shopping cart that's fulfilled by a personal shopper on a specified day. Instacart is a partner with more than 1,400 national regional, local, and national retail banners to deliver groceries from more than 80,000 stores across North America. There are even membership-only store locations like Costco and Sam's Club, on the platform.

Instacart's fees include the $2.99 delivery fee on the same day and an additional $3.99 service charge (plus tips for the customer). These fees are similar to what you would pay at your local grocery store. However, you don't need to drive to park, sit in a parking lot, or wait in a lines. Instacart offers an annual membership for those who purchase at minimum 14 times a year. This will save you money on service and delivery fees.

If you're worried about your grocery costs, consider price-shopping prior to adding items to your cart. Instacart lets you include specific prices and nutrition facts to your list 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 useful for future grocery shopping trips.

Hindert believes that Instacart may not be the most suitable option for grocery shopping since it could lead to impulse buys. Additionally the grocery delivery service does not always provide the same sales that your local grocery store.

2. Amazon Grocery

With Amazon Grocery, individuals can have their groceries delivered directly to their doorstep. The items are delivered from local Amazon warehouses by couriers, or at a location that is manned. The service is available for same-day and next-day delivery options. Amazon provides a wide range of grocery items, including fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, seafood and meats, packaged foods, frozen food and household products.

Amazon Grocery is one of the most popular grocery shopping services out there and with good reason. Its competitive pricing, huge range of items and convenient features make it a great option for shoppers looking to save time and money on their groceries. It is also a great option for those looking to cut down on their carbon footprint.

Its focus on the weekly grocery shopping trip, its affordable price point and curated selection puts it directly in direct competition with traditional supermarkets, Brick Meets Click's Bishop stated. "Grocers who aren't a standout in any of these categories are more vulnerable to Amazon Grocery," Bishop added.

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 help the company position itself as an all-in-one store for a large portion of its customers' needs.

Amazon's merchandising innovation is another method that it is using to draw customers to their stores. These include featuring local brands that have proven successful in its smaller 365 stores, like Rockenwagner Bakery and Groundworks Coffee. This allows shoppers to have an authentic experience when they visit the grocery store and also builds loyalty.

3. Walmart

Shopping online is becoming increasingly popular due to hectic work schedules, family obligations and general dislike of crowds. From clothing to office supplies everything is simpler when you just click and send. Now, grocery shopping has joined the party.

Online grocery stores are growing in popularity. Some provide convenience, while others offer high-quality products at affordable prices. Which one is best for you? We've rounded-up the top grocery delivery services to help you select the best option for you.

Instacart is a renowned online grocery store that connects you with personal shoppers who will shop for you at local stores. It is accessible in a multitude of cities and is a great option for shoppers who prefer to shop at the chain supermarkets but want to take advantage of discounts at wholesalers like Costco and Aldi. Instacart provides same-day delivery to many markets, and the selection includes stores like Food Lion, Kroger, Wegmans and Shop n Save. It also has bulk items available as well, which is ideal for those who frequent the store to stock on essential items.

Walmart is another major name in the world of e-commerce for groceries. The online ordering platform allows customers to select the time of delivery or pickup and then select your items from a virtual shopping cart. The site offers rollback discounts, and a wide range of items from produce to pantry essentials to personal care products. Walmart+ is a service that provides groceries from local stores.

Thrive Market is an online grocery store that specializes in organic and non-GMO foods. Its membership costs $5 a month, billed annually. It provides a variety of foods to choose from such as fish, meat and dairy. Thrive offers free delivery for orders over $35. Its selection includes healthy products for both you and the environment.

4. Smith's

Online grocery shopping services can be lifesaver to many families with busy schedules. These services can allow you to not only cut one weekly chore off your list, but also to make plans for meals and budget. However there are many differences between grocery stores online are equal. It's crucial to select the right one, regardless of whether you're looking for convenience or a wide selection of products.

Other online grocery stores provide convenient delivery and Download free pickup options. Some, such as Instacart use personal shoppers who visit local stores to purchase your order and then deliver the item to your home or office. Walmart Grocery is one of the many options that allow you to shop online and then pick up your purchase at a designated store.

Thrive Market is another popular online grocery store that offers a wide range of organic and natural products. These include items for the kitchen, cleaning supplies and much more. In contrast to other online shopping sites grocery stores, there is no minimum order requirement or a flat rate for delivery. It also offers free membership which allows you to test the service for up to two weeks before paying for it.

For shoppers who rely on government benefits, Smith's offers an online grocery service that accepts EBT and SNAP cards for pickup at more than 70 stores. Select the store location in your Smith's App shop, place your order and then choose an appropriate time for pickup. When you arrive at your chosen location, park in your assigned space and dial a number to notify an associate that you're there. The associate will then deliver your order to you in parking lot.

5. Peapod

Peapod is a pioneer in online grocery shopping. It is present in 24 US markets. In some markets, customers can order and receive groceries, pantry products fresh produce and meats, dairy organic and natural food items cooked meals, office and school items delivered. They can also pick up alcohol and personal care items. Customers can also take orders to more than 200 Peapod pickup locations, the majority of which are attached to Ahold USA's brick and mortar stores like Stop & Shop.

Peapod uses the data it collects to identify the brands and products that customers like, and allows them to recommend similar items. The system lets shoppers browse all items in their shopping cart at once and also make use of search filters to narrow down results. Because grocery shopping is a routine practice, the Skokie company, based in Illinois, utilizes data to predict the products the shopper would buy and then push them to the top of the list.

The company's service is based on its drivers, also known as brand ambassadors. Bienkowski said to Food Dive that food is an emotional experience. Being able to communicate directly with the person who delivers the food makes it more enjoyable and convenient. And, unlike many e-commerce delivery services, when customers meet the driver with their groceries they know the order is in good hands.

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