Man handing woman box of groceries

Cut Down on Your To-Do List With Online Grocery Shopping

In 2020, online grocery shopping sales have increased by 40%. This statistic demonstrates what a trend it has become to use stores such as Walmart and Amazon for grocery needs rather than physically entering the local grocery store and doing the shopping yourself.

Whether you are looking for a doorstep drop or you want to click and collect from a convenient drop-off, online grocery shopping can free up valuable time for the other commitments and priorities in your life.

The Benefits

Skeptical about ordering your groceries? Here are some the benefits of ordering your groceries online that may convince you!

You Don’t Have to go Out

The main reason families choose to shop online is that it is convenient. We all lead busy lives and when we have to juggle work, school, and after-school activities, often the last thing we want to do is to head back out again to shop.

If you are struggling to find the time it takes to get around the aisles, you can sign up for an online grocery account in many stores including TaskRabbit, Walmart, Amazon, and Kroger. All of these stores have a 24-hour online service so you can shop at a time that is best for you.

When it comes to delivery you can choose a time that you will be at home, whether it be before the school run or after a night out with friends. For those who struggle to get out of the house or in the event you have a sick child, you can get everything you need delivered straight to your door.

You Can Save Your Shopping History

When you shop online regularly you will build up a history of your most popular items. This means that each time you shop you can simply click on one button to add all your favorite items to your cart at once. This would be the equivalent of walking into your local grocery store and having all of your shopping waiting for you in the cart.

This neat little benefit also means you will never forget vital items that you usually only realize you forgot once you got back home.

It Saves Time

At peak times, grocery shopping can take a long time as dozens of busy families battle to get their weekly grocery shopping done. Good online stores will have a website that is easy to navigate so you can search for food by category and simply click a button to add it to your cart.

If you forget to add something, you can simply revise your order rather than having to walk back five aisles. The fact that you get home delivery is an added bonus. If you cannot be at home, then stores like Kroger offer a pick-up service at local pharmacy stores.

You Can Save Money

With online grocery stores, like Walmart and Kroger, you can see the value of your cart as you go along. This means that you can stick to your budget and not overspend by adding items that you do not really need. This benefit is particularly good if you generally take your kids along when you do your grocery shopping and are accustomed to them asking for treats or putting items in the cart without your knowing.

When shopping online, you are in complete control of what goes in your basket and there will be no surprises at the checkout.

You May Consume Healthier Foods

As well as saving money by snapping up the suggested bargains, you will also save extra calories! We have all been there when walking around the store hungry and the smell of fresh donuts takes hold. When online shopping, you can simply add exactly what you need to your basket without being tempted in to add in unhealthy treats.

What to Watch out For With Online Grocery Shopping

While there are many benefits of online grocery shopping there are a few things you need to look out for so you do not run into any problems. Before completing any online shop, you should check the following:

Check Your Basket Before You Make a Purchase

If you are new to online grocery shopping, you should double check what you have put in your basket before you pay for your goods. Special attention should be paid to the quantity of each item, as you may have clicked more than once in error.

Be Aware of Delivery Charges

With the need to be competitive, grocery delivery charges vary from store to store. Some stores have annual passes, such as Amazon Prime, and others offer a variety of free delivery time slots throughout the week. You should expect to pay premium prices for weekend slots and more reasonable rates during the daytime when most people are at work.

Quality Check Your Food

Most online grocery stores have a good quality control process in place, but it is worth double checking if you are using a new store for the first time. A good online grocery store will allow you to return products on the doorstep if you are worried about the quality. Eggs and any fragile items are usually checked by the delivery person as they hand them over to you.

If you like grocery shopping and do not want to give up going to the store altogether, you can mix it up a little. Save online shopping for your busiest periods and head out to the store with your family when you fancy chatting with fellow shoppers and browsing new products.