Online grocery shopping has become the new norm in pandemic times and local stores have really upped their game when it comes to delivery and pickup service.
This convenient way of shopping is especially helpful for busy parents — no getting the kids in and out of car seats, fighting crowds and potentially getting exposed to viruses. In addition, grocery pickup or delivery curbs impulse buying and helps you to stick to a budget. Many stores deliver household goods, pet food and toys as well, making your holiday season easier than ever. We've gathered together the 10 best local options for pickup and delivery service to make your weekly shop a little easier.
1. Amazon Fresh
Amazon Prime members can now have their Amazon Fresh grocery orders over $35 delivered for free within a scheduled, two-hour window. Contactless delivery is an option for any item except alcohol, and Amazon keeps the food at the correct temperature with special packaging. You can even change or add to your order through the Alexa app right up until your shopper starts shopping. However, this offer only applies in certain ZIP codes. To see if your address is eligible, sign in to your Amazon account.
2. Whole Foods Market
Prime members can also get free one-hour pickup or two-hour delivery from Whole Foods on Amazon. Both of these services are free for members in select ZIP codes. For delivery, you need to make sure the service is available in your area and the order needs to be over $35. Look for special Prime member deals for extra savings.
3. Instacart
This service works with a wide variety of stores to deliver your groceries and more. In addition to grocery stores, you can get items from Petco, Bed Bath & Beyond, Total Wine and More, etc. You can choose delivery or pickup and shop through the app on your phone or through the website. Cost starts at $3.99 for deliveries on same-day orders over $35; the delivery fee varies for one-hour orders. You will also pay a five percent service fee and an optional tip. If you are planning to use the service regularly, it makes sense to join Instacart Express, which is $9.99 per month or $99 per year. With the membership, you don’t pay the $3.99 fee per order and you get a reduced service fee.
4. Costco
Costco offers two delivery options. For same-day delivery, you can order perishable grocery items, including meat and seafood, and have your delivery fulfilled by Instacart. Your order must be at least $35; fees vary. If you aren’t in a hurry, Costco offers a two-day delivery service of groceries plus other household items such as cleaning supplies, coffee, toilet paper and more. Your order will be shipped to your door. No separate delivery fee is charged for orders over $75.
5. PCC Community Markets
PCC uses Instacart to deliver to you within two hours. You can even link your PCC account and earn toward your annual dividend on delivered items. Fees start at $3.99 for two-hour delivery for orders over $35. There is also a service fee plus an optional tip. You can also pay $9.95 per month or $99 per year to get the delivery fee waived and the service fee reduced. Learn more about Instacart fees here.
6. Kroger (QFC and Fred Meyer)
Kroger offers same-day delivery for $9.95. Or, for nonperishable items, choose the Ship to Home option, which is free on orders over $35. Fred Meyer has currently waived the fees for grocery pickup. To pick up, shop online then schedule a pickup time up to seven days in advance. Just call when you arrive and park in the designated spot and an associate will load your groceries into your car for you. If you use the app and turn on location services, the associate will be notified when you pull in. No tips are accepted.
7. Target
Target offers three options: Drive-Up, Pick Up and Delivery (via Shipt). Shop for your groceries on the Target app or Target.com, then select “drive-up” for a contactless experience; your items will be loaded into your car. For “pick up,” you collect your bagged groceries inside the store. Both of these options are free, and the store notifies you when your order is ready. For delivery, Target uses Shipt. The service costs $99 per year for delivery on orders over $35, or $9.99 per order. Delivery is contactless. For all of these options, you will need the Target app.
8. Shipt
Same-day delivery in as little as one hour. Shipt partners with many retailers, meaning you can order household supplies, sporting goods, school and office supplies, electronics, pet supplies and more. With a yearly membership of $99, you get free delivery on orders over $35. One-time delivery fee is $10. You can shop online or from the app; the app offers special deals and discounts.
9. Walmart
Walmart offers free same-day pickup of your items if you order by 3 p.m. They also deliver to your home for a per-order fee. Both pickup and delivery can be used for anything in the store, not just groceries. You can enroll in Walmart+ for $12.95 per month or $98.00 per year. Walmart+ offers free, unlimited delivery on orders over $35, plus you can use the app on your phone to shop and check out in-store, avoiding the checkout line. Members also save 5 cents per gallon on gas at Walmart. There is a current promotion for a free 14-day trial. You don’t need the Walmart app for shopping, but you will need it for scanning to check out if you want to avoid waiting in the checkout line.
10. Safeway and Albertsons
Both offer free drive-up grocery pickup, typically within three hours. Delivery to your home is usually $9.95 per order, but the fee may be less for orders over $150. “Rush” deliveries are fulfilled by a third-party service such as Instacart and may be subject to order minimums.
Bonus! Yummy Bazaar
Are you craving sausages from Germany, dried jerky fish sticks from China or purple fig jam from France? You can find all this and much more at Yummy Bazaar, an online shopping destination for gourmet food from around the world.
You can select individual items from a variety of countries, or try one of their monthly gourmet boxes to discover new international foods.
Orders of nonperishable products over $69 ship for free. All other orders of nonperishable products ship for a flat rate of $6.99 (heavyweight shipping fees may apply to orders of more than 20 pounds). Orders placed in Washington state take an average of five days to arrive.
Be sure and check out the free loyalty program, Yummy Rewards. You can earn one point for every dollar spent as well as additional points on your birthday and when you sign up, with more opportunities coming soon.
