8 Cheapest Ways to Order Groceries Online
Updated: Jan. 10, 2024
It's time to consider online grocery shopping.
What are you shopping for?
Shopping online has increased in popularity and that now includes shopping for groceries, too. And now that everyone is spending more time at home due to self-isolation and quarantine, it’s the perfect time to shop for groceries. As you’re ordering, here are 10 major online scams you need to watch out for–and how to avoid them.
Boxed
If you’re looking to buy products in bulk, then Boxed is your answer. Boxed offers free delivery and no membership fees. Boxed offers products from a variety of categories including snacks, beverages, household essentials, and wellness. From bestsellers like Glad ForceFlex Plus Drawstring Bags to Polar 100 percent Natural Seltzer, you’ll be sure to find what you need.
Instacart
A number of grocery chains that don’t have their own delivery services up and running are making their products available via an app called Instacart. If you need items at Food Lion, Wegmans, Shop ‘n Save, Publix, and The Fresh Market, among others, Instacart can get them for you. Instacart is one of the most popular delivery services out there since, according to Progressive Grocer, it’s available to about 85 households in the United States. It won’t necessarily be a bargain, but it will be speedy—Instacart personal shoppers get on the case as soon as your order has been submitted, and if they can’t find something from your list they’ll call you from the store to suggest alternatives. Make sure you’re not guilty of the things that frustrate every grocery store employee.
Amazon
As the grand-daddy of online shopping, Amazon offers many non-perishable grocery products, which you can order just like you would a mystery novel, handbag, or Nerf Blaster. Amazon Fresh offers grocery delivery in select cities. Amazon Fresh is available only by invitation, and “both free trial and paid members of Amazon Prime and Amazon Prime Student are eligible to shop Amazon Fresh.” Check out these 19 tips frugal shoppers use to save money on groceries.
Walmart
The retail behemoth offers plenty of bulk-sized pantry items by mail through its regular search engine. Walmart offers membership service Delivery Unlimited, where for a price of $12.95 every month or a grand total of $98 a year, you can have an unlimited amount of Walmart Grocery Delivery orders. Walmart now offers InHome Delivery, a convenient way to shop for groceries and have an employee load groceries directly to your fridge. Learn the 14 things nutritionists always do while grocery shopping.
Jet
Walmart is evolving its online grocery options: The company purchased online retailer Jet in 2016 and has recently announced plans to upgrade the site as an urban shopping specialist, according to Winsight Grocery Business. Jet delivers to all states and the District of Colombia except Alaska and Hawaii. These are 50 of the healthiest foods you can buy at the supermarket.
Peapod
In many East Coast and Midwestern regions, where Stop & Shop and Giant grocery stores are common, Peapod has become a major player on the delivery scene. Pantry items, produce, and products requiring refrigeration or freezing are available and prices are reasonable. There’s no membership fee for Peapod, and deliveries cost $6.95 when your groceries cost at least $100—or you can pick them up at a store location for just $2.95. Peapod offers next-day deliveries in most places and same-day delivery in some locations. Next, check out these cheap grocery stores to get the most value for your money.
ShopRite, Safeway, Kroger, Albertsons
Many grocery store chains allow customers to shop online at their websites, where prices and inventory match what’s in the brick-and-mortar local store. They might let you pick up your purchases in a special area of the store, or they might offer delivery, depending on policies at each location. If you have a favorite, it’s definitely worth checking its website to see what your options are, but be sure to make note of any fees. Here are 13 things you should know about shopping online for groceries.
FreshDirect
This online-only grocery retailer has been big in the New York City area for several years and has recently been pushing into new markets including Washington, DC, and Philadelphia. FreshDirect gets fresh food direct from farms, fishermen, and artisans, so the selection tends toward the high-end (read pricey), but you can also buy your staples.
