Good news: if you’re too busy to go grocery shopping, there’s help out there! August 8th is National Shop Online for Groceries Day, and the options for online shopping and delivery services are becoming more available every day. Let’s take a look at some of the options, and the pros and cons of online shopping.
Why shop online for groceries?
The benefits online shopping was apparent during the COVID pandemic. Some of those who could not leave their homes were sustained by grocery delivery services. But global pandemics aside, shopping online provides huge time savings for busy adults with packed schedules. There are a variety of delivery services available, which may offer options such as household items, auto-ship service, 1 hour delivery, and free pickup. Delivery services may operate on a subscription basis, offer memberships, or open access for as-needed deliveries.
Factors to consider
- Delivery area: look at your favorite delivery service and see if it operates in your area
- Price: there are a variety of price points available. Don’t forget about extra fees for additional services and add-ons, such as per delivery fees, auto-ship fees, etc.
- Type of membership: consider how often you will use the service and what types of items you need to buy before choosing. Do you want to pay a subscription fee and have a variety of items and services to choose from? Or would an on-demand service with no monthly fee be better?
- Drop off times: are you planning to order perishable items that will need to be refrigerated right away? Ensure the delivery service you are considering provides a delivery time that works for your schedule. Some companies offer grocery put-away service for an additional fee, which may be an option if scheduling is difficult.
- Local growers: don’t forget about local farms in your area! Many smaller farms and co-ops offer community supported agriculture (CSAs) subscriptions which provide weekly or monthly produce packages for members and may even have delivery service available.
If online shopping and delivery sounds like an option for you, compare the services available in your area. Consider your needs and shopping habits to determine which type of service will work best for your household. Compare the options available from your favorite grocery store chains, online shopping platforms such as Amazon or Instacart, and local farms in your area. See if online shopping could improve the quality of the meals in your diet and save you time and money in the long run.
Written by: Rebecca Byerly and Elizabeth Shephard
Reference:
Malin, Zoe. “12 Best Grocery Delivery Services for Food and Everyday Essentials”. NBC News, 16 Aug 2022, nbcnews.com/select/shopping/best-grocery-delivery-services-ncna1297967. Accessed 30 Apr 2025.
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