How to Grocery Shop Online

Grocery shopping can be a stressful chore for some. Thanks to online grocery shopping, you can shop for any item you want and have it delivered right to your doorstep.
We are living in a time where convenience is key. It’s no surprise that the popularity of online grocery stores is booming. 

The United States is the second largest online food delivery market behind China. We spent an estimated 218 billion dollars in revenues for online food delivery in 2022, with more than 76 billion dollars generated in the meal delivery segment. By 2027, online delivery in the US is expected to reach the 500 billion mark, according to Statista.
Want to join those taking advantage of skipping the trip to the supermarket and having quick access to almost everything you need? Here is a simple overview to help you start online grocery shopping. 

Benefits of Online Grocery Shopping

Online grocery shopping allows you to order whatever you want at any time of the day. The best part is that you can do everything from selecting your groceries to checking out in under 10 minutes. You don’t have to check the store hours or wonder when they will restock. Most online grocery stores and delivery services have easy-to-use apps you can use on the go. This makes shopping convenient, and the groceries can be delivered to your home within an hour or less. 

1. No More Waiting in Long Lines at Checkout

If you have been in a supermarket or any "brick and mortar" store, you know how troublesome it is to stand and wait in long queues to check out. You wait even longer during peak hours. 

Save yourself the long wait using online grocery delivery services. You can order groceries from your mobile phone or laptop, check out in the comfort of your home, and have them delivered on time. 

2. Online Grocery Shopping Saves Time and Money

The average customer goes to the grocery store 1.6 times a week and spends about 43 minutes shopping at the store, according to Statista. This doesn’t include the additional time it takes to drive to the store and return home.

With online grocery shopping, you spend less time shopping, avoid long lines, and get home delivery on time. Also, shopping for groceries online allows you to see the list of available products and check the current coupons and discounts before adding the products to your cart. You can also compare the prices of different online grocery stores to find the best deals.  

3. Stop the Impulse Buying

A less obvious advantage of shopping for groceries online is that it helps you avoid impulse buying. It happens to most of us when we’re at a grocery store.  You see a big display or a sale, emotions kick in, and you buy items you don’t need. Many stores place impulse items near checkout to get your attention. Online shopping allows you to shop for only what you want, reducing the chances of impulse buying.
 

How To Grocery Shop Online for Pickup or Delivery

Online grocery shopping offers the flexibility of pickup or the convenience of home delivery. Either way, you can save time and energy. By following a few simple steps, you can easily shop for groceries online and pick them up or have them delivered to your doorstep. Here are the best ways to shop for groceries online for either pickup or delivery.

1. Find a Reputable Online Grocery Store

There are more online grocery services than ever. Here's what to look for:

• A company you know with a good reputation
• A service that delivers or ships to your area
• Reliable, quick delivery 
• A website that is easy to navigate

Find out if popular stores such as Walmart and Target provide online shopping and delivery in your area. Or try an online grocery delivery service such as Shipt or Instacart. See if they offer a wide variety of products, and compare prices. You can even click on items to see the list of ingredients, nutritional facts, and other details.

2. Create an Account, Browse, and Select Products

You'll need to create an account with the grocery service. You'll be asked for some basic information, such as the name, address, and payment details. Then you can browse items and select “Add to Cart” to fill your online grocery basket. Most stores organize their products by categories such as fresh produce, bakery, dairy, and more, making it easier to find what you want. Track your spending by checking the total that adds up every time you add something to your cart. 

3. Confirm Order, Checkout, and Pay

Once you have added all the items you need to your cart, review your order. Make sure the quantities, delivery address, payment information, and delivery time are what you want. Also, include any special instructions for the store for delivery or pickup. Then enter your payment details and complete the order.

4. Receive Your Delivery

You can decide to have the groceries delivered to your doorstep or choose a pickup location. Make sure you will be available to receive the order at the scheduled time. If you’re not going to be available, choose a different time. 

Upon delivery, make sure you got what you ordered. If you notice spoiled items, take a picture and inform the grocery delivery service immediately. In most cases, they will replace or refund the item.

Popular Grocery Apps

Numerous online grocery delivery services have special apps for Android and iOS users. 

Some of the most popular grocery apps:

• Instacart: This app became a one-stop shop for consumers during the COVID-19 lockdowns for its “instant” doorstep delivery. Instacart operates in 25,000 stores and serves over 5,500 cities.
• FreshDirect: This popular online grocery store is used by many East Coast residents in states such as New York, Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. They offer home and workplace grocery deliveries. 
• Shipt: This service delivers groceries from major retailers such as Target, CVS, and Walgreens.

An online grocery app will help you get all the groceries you need without the hassle of going to the store. 

Bottom Line                                                                            

With so many options for online grocery shopping and delivery, getting your groceries has never been so easy. You can shop from anywhere at any time. Following a few steps will help ensure you receive your groceries safely at your doorstep or pickup point.  To learn how the Clover Health LiveHealthy Rewards program can help you pay for groceries, visit our LiveHealthy Rewards page.