Which is Best For Online Grocery Shopping? Many online grocers now offer quality items at prices that are more affordable than your usual grocery stop. I compared several well-known services to determine which one is the most efficient. I looked for those that provide a variety of products, top brands, and reasonable prices, as well as an easy option for delivery or pick-up. Shopping online is all about planning your list and making sure you claim your delivery time slot before it fills up. You will also need to be flexible in your choices based on availability of items. 1. Instacart This grocery delivery service online lets you order through either a mobile or web-based application and creates an online shopping cart which is fulfilled by a personal shopper on a specific day. Instacart collaborates with more than 1400 national regional, local, and retail banners to deliver food from more than 80,000 stores across North America. You can also find 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 a $3.99 service fee (plus a tip for the shopper). These fees are similar to those associated when you shop at your usual grocery shop but you don't need to worry about parking, driving and standing in line to pay. Instacart offers an annual membership for those who purchase at least 14 times in a year. This will reduce your costs for delivery and service charges. If you're worried about your grocery costs, Hindert suggests price-shopping prior to adding items into your cart. Instacart lets you include specific prices and nutrition facts to your list, to allow you to compare prices and ingredients to those of the items you already have in your cart. It is also possible to use your Instacart application to create a "shoppable" shopping list that you can use to make future grocery trips. Hindert believes that Instacart might not be the most suitable option for grocery shopping as it can lead to impulse purchases. Moreover grocery delivery services do not always offer the same sales in stores that you can find at your local supermarket. 2. Amazon Grocery Amazon Grocery lets customers get their groceries delivered right to their door. The items are delivered from local Amazon warehouses by couriers or at an attended location. The service offers both next-day and same-day delivery. Amazon offers a wide variety of grocery items that include fresh fruits and vegetables dairy products, meats and seafood, frozen food, packaged foods, and household items. Amazon Grocery is one of the most popular grocery-shopping services on the market and for good reason. Its competitive pricing, large variety of products, and convenience features make it a good option for shoppers looking to save time and money on their groceries. In addition it has a significant sustainability aspect and is perfect for those trying to reduce their carbon footprint. Bishop of Brick Meets Click said that Amazon Grocery's focus is on weekly food shopping, its affordable price point and its well-curated assortment puts it in direct competition with traditional supermarkets. "Grocers who don't standout in these categories are most vulnerable to Amazon Grocery," Bishop added. To encourage more frequent and more substantial grocery purchases within its Prime members, Amazon has introduced a range of new perks including unlimited grocery delivery. This will help the company make itself an all-in-one store for many of its customers' everyday needs. Another method Amazon is attempting to attract customers to its stores for groceries is through merchandising innovation. Local brands that have been successful in smaller 365 stores like Rockenwagner Bakery or Groundworks Coffee are among the numerous local brands Amazon is promoting. This gives shoppers a an authentic experience in the supermarket and helps build loyalty. 3. Walmart Online shopping is becoming increasingly popular due to busy work schedules, family obligations, and general disdain for crowds. Click and ship makes it easy to get everything you need for everyone, from clothing to office supplies. Now groceries are getting in on the action. 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? To help you find the most effective grocery delivery service, we've rounded up the top options. Instacart is a renowned online grocery service that connects you with personal shoppers who buy your groceries at local stores. It works in thousands of cities and can be a great option for shoppers who prefer the convenience stores of chain stores however, they also wish to benefit from discounts at wholesalers like Costco and Aldi. Instacart delivers same-day in many markets and includes stores like Food Lion, Kroger and Wegmans. It even has an option for bulk items, which is perfect for those who regularly go to the store to purchase essentials. Walmart is a household name in e-commerce, especially for groceries. The online ordering platform allows customers to select a pickup or delivery time and then select the items you want from a virtual shopping cart. The site has rollback deals and a variety of products ranging from produce pantry essentials to personal care items. The site also offers a Walmart+ service that delivers food items and other products from local stores. Thrive Market, an online grocery store, specializes in organic foods and non-GMO items. Membership costs $5 per month, billed annually, and it has a wide variety of food to select from, including dairy, fish, and meat. Thrive provides free shipping on orders over $35 and has a selection of items that are healthy for you and the environment. 4. Smith's Online grocery shopping can be a lifesaver to many families who are busy. These services can not only allow you to eliminate one errand per week off your to-do list and aid in budget your meals and meal plans. However there are many differences between grocery stores online are equal. It's important to select the right option, whether you're looking for convenience or a broad range of products. In addition to Smith's many other online grocery stores offer convenient delivery and pick-up options. Instacart is one of the online grocery stores which allows personal shoppers to shop in local stores and then deliver your order to your home or workplace. Other companies, such as Walmart Grocery, allow you to shop online, and then pick up your order at a designated place. Thrive Market is another popular online grocery store that provides 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 delivery. There is also a free membership option that lets you try the service for two weeks before deciding decide to pay for it. Smith's provides a grocery delivery service for customers who are eligible for government benefits. The service accepts EBT or SNAP cards. Select the store location in your Smith's App shop for your groceries, place your order and then select a pickup time. Once you arrive, park in your designated spot and dial a number to alert the associate that you are 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 present in 24 US markets. Customers can order and receive the delivery of groceries, pantry items, fresh produce, deli products such as meats, dairy organic and natural foods as well as prepared meals, school and office items, personal care products and alcohol at certain markets. Customers can also collect their orders at more than 200 Peapod pickup locations, many of which are connected to Ahold USA-owned brick and mortar stores, such as Stop & Shop. Peapod uses data to track customers' top brands and items, allowing the online grocer to suggest similar products. It also allows shoppers to see all the items in their cart at a glance and use filters to narrow results. And since shopping for groceries is a routine activity, the Skokie-based company makes use of data to predict which products the customer will purchase which pushes those items to the top of the list. The service is based on its drivers, also known 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 pleasant and convenient. And, unlike many e-commerce delivery services that customers receive, when they see the driver with their groceries they know the order is in good hands. As an early innovator of online grocery shopping, Peapod has invested in technology to remain competitive against its rivals. It hasn't made as much of an impact on the industry as other delivery services for groceries like Instacart or Amazon Fresh. However, the 28-year veteran of the battle for online grocery delivery is working to boost its competitiveness by expanding its online shopping options. It recently launched a brand new mobile shopping experience that is based on its proprietary PRISM platform at its own websites, and also the sites of its parent company, Ahold Delhaize USA.