The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically altered the way we live our lives. Although the world is on the road to recovery, some of the things that have changed the way we live will do well to stay in the lives of many people around the world. One of these things is online grocery shopping.
Due to the pandemic, many people around the world have turned to online grocery delivery services to shop for their daily needs. Even though it’s only a matter of time until everyone can safely go to the grocery, the convenience of online grocery shopping makes it unnecessary for many people to take a trip to the local supermarket for supplies.
Online grocery shopping might seem simple enough, but anyone could get lost with the various services to be found online and with how things are done by these services. This is a guide to help you find the best grocery delivery service provider for you. We’ve also included some tips to follow for a seamless online grocery shopping experience.
The Best Grocery Delivery Services Now
Mercato
Mercato is an online delivery service that does not require you to be a member in order to enjoy their services. Through Mercato, you are given a vast selection of products from local stores in your area and from traditional big-box supermarkets. Plus, you have the option to have products purchased from more than one store.
Your deliveries can arrive in as quick as an hour and there’s no need to fill your cart up as the minimum order cost is only $10.
Amazon Fresh
Amazon Prime members who are also looking for an online grocery delivery service are in for a treat. Prime members can use their membership to buy products through Amazon Fresh which offers a wide selection of items and essentials from Whole Foods and other local stores.
Despite its current limited availability in select cities and the required membership, opting for Amazon Fresh will make any Prime member’s grocery shopping experience much more convenient.
Walmart Grocery
There is a nearby Walmart in virtually every place in the United States. This means that availability will not be a worry for Walmart Grocery users.
You can enjoy the wide selection and low prices that Walmart offers from the comfort of your home through this service. There’s also no need for a membership for you to avail of Walmart Grocery’s services. However, there’s a minimum order cost of $30, so it’s best to purchase in bulk.
Shipt
Owned by Target, Shipt is another household name in the grocery delivery service industry. With shoppers in over 250 markets and 5000 cities, Shipt can get customers the products they need from their grocery store of choice in as little as one hour.
Shipt offers a membership service but new customers can try out a free trial at first to see if Shipt is the online delivery service for them. The availability of the service and the stores you can purchase from may be determined by simply typing in your zip code.
Tips When Shopping for Groceries Online
Order ahead
Online grocery shopping can sometimes be unpredictable. Most services don’t have 24/7 coverage and there are times when the number of shoppers may be limited. This may result in long waiting times before you could receive your groceries.
In order to avoid situations where you can’t get what you need on the same day that you actually need it, it’s essential to place your order in advance. Some services allow users to place their orders weeks ahead of their expected delivery, so there’s no need to worry about queues.
Be flexible
Much like shopping for groceries in real life, there are times when the products you need or brands you prefer aren’t available. In order to maximize your online grocery trip and to avoid having to place another order or to make the trip yourself, have substitutes for items that can be replaced.
Having to place another order for something that has an equivalent product is not just a hassle in itself, but will also require you to incur more costs, whether in delivery charges or in transportation expenses.
Order in bulk if possible
Some services require a minimum amount before you can successfully place your order. Regardless, it’s advised to place your orders in bulk as much as possible. This will help you save on delivery charges since you’d need to order groceries less frequently if you stock up whenever you buy.
Ordering in bulk will help in cutting expenses and will make every penny you spend on the delivery charge or member fee more worth it.
Try to order with a group
Some services don’t have the manpower yet to accommodate numerous orders, especially during seasons when groceries are in demand, such as the holidays. This can however be worked around by ordering with other people in your area, like your neighbors, in order to reduce the competition so that everyone can get what they need.
Not only will ordering with a group gives you greater chances of availing of a grocery delivery service as soon as possible, it can also reduce your expenses since you have other people to split the delivery charges with.