Grocery delivery is the right choice for customers as they take the hygienic process to deliver products quickly and efficiently. The demand for online marketplaces is going to rise further in the next few months, considering the ongoing crisis. 

Statistics related to Online grocery services app

• Reports suggest that 10% of US citizens regularly shop through online grocery delivery apps. 
• As of 2018, the online grocery market was valued at $638 billion and had risen to $700 billion in 2019. Business Insider predicts that demand for grocery delivery applications is expected to grow in the next four years.
• According to Invesp, digital grocery sales are going to reach $59.5 billion by 2023.

How does an online grocery app work?

The working of an app like Instacart is simple. Here are the steps involved in buying through these platforms.

• If you are a new user, sign up by providing username (Email id) and password, you will directly log in once you open the app.
• Select the items and add them to the cart. Users can make use of filters and search options for advanced navigation.
• Review the cart and proceed to checkout.
• Enter your address and pay using any of the payment gateway options.
• Track your order using a live tracking option. 
• Once delivered, you have the option to rate and review the products.

Best grocery delivery services to use and precautionary measures taken by them

• FreshDirect 

FreshDirect aims at offering products that are offered directly from the market. There is a wide range of products such as fruits, vegetables, meat & poultry, seafood, and more. 

Currently, FreshDirect aims at offering touchless delivery, so they have requested customers to bear with the time delay. There are two-slots in a day, which is morning slot and afternoon slot. To get the morning slot, customers have to order by 6 pm the previous day. They have to order by 11 pm the day before to get the afternoon slot. Most of the products are delivered to the customers directly from this source so people can feel safe to buy from FoodDirect.

• Peapod

Peapod is owned by the shop & shop supermarket chain. It is available in the Northern US and around the Chicago area. It does not charge any extra fee for shop pick up, and for doorstep delivery, the fee charges are between $6.95 and $9.95 depending on the order size.

The groceries are delivered in special temperature-controlled bags by professional executives. Customers have the option of choosing a contactless delivery option while placing their orders. If the ordered item is out of stock, then Peapod will replace it with a similar product. 

• Instacart

Instacart is a well-known doorstep grocery delivery service that delivers products to over 50 cities in the US. The business model is aimed to deliver the order in a little time of 1 hour. Currently, it is available for more than 80% of the households in the United States. Unlike other delivery services that fulfill customer requests from product stores in a warehouse, Instacart employs independent contractors, like Costco and Publix. If an ordered product is not available, then users can chat with Instacart shoppers for a replacement.

According to a press release, Instacart has assured that it provides safety kits that include gloves, masks, sanitizers, etc., to its active employees to support them during the pandemic.

• Amazon Fresh

Amazon Fresh is a subsidiary of the e-commerce giant Amazon. It was launched in March 2017 to provide grocery delivery services for prime subscribers. 

Amid the pandemic, it is working round the clock to satisfy the needs of the customers. They perform daily temperature checks and distribute masks and gloves to all employees of Amazon-Whole Foods market stores. They are taking the necessary precautionary measures, such as restricting the number of staff per shop, suspending self-service offerings, eliminating reusable containers, and so on.

• Food Kick

Food Kick is a subsidy of FoodDirect, and it is gaining popularity among people mainly due to its same-day delivery service. It currently operates in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. It is keen to expand in other cities, as well. 

It gives the customers a wonderful opportunity to support the NY common pantry by contributing to their charity works to eliminate hunger.

• Walmart grocery

Walmart offers grocery delivery throughout the US. It is a popular grocery chain enterprise in the country. Grocery sales account for 56% of Walmart’s total US revenue, making it the country’s largest grocer. Walmart shares have risen to 30% in the year 2019 alone.

The delivery is taken care of by third-party executives, so it does not guarantee the users that the agents will be wearing the protective gear—one good thing to note that the nearest grocery store takes the orders.

• Shipt

Shipt is a target owned online grocery delivery service and picked up in selective cities. Similar to Instacart, they have partnered with several stores such as Costco, Harris Teeter, CVS, etc. 

It provides its employers with a set of the mask of gloves each day to ensure the safety of its employees and customers.

• Safeway

Safeway started as a small shop in the small town of Idaho. Now it is offering online grocery services across the US and Columbia. The delivery agents leave the orders in the doorstep to avoid contact with the customers. 

• Thrive Market

Thrive Market is an American e-commerce company that offers natural and organic products. For every paid membership gained by the platform, a free membership is given to a needy household. It has guaranteed the customers that there won’t be any surge in the prices due to the Coronavirus crisis. The quality of the products will not be compromised due to the increase in demand.

• Burpy

Burpy is an online grocery delivery app based on the US. It offers same-day delivery to its customers. It does not own any warehouse, so basically, it acts as a bridge between customers and local grocery stores. Whenever customers place an order, the personnel delivery agents select the products from the ordered supermarkets and drop it in the customer houses.

They have conducted seminars to educate the delivery agents and staff of the ongoing crisis and safety measures to be followed.

Conclusion

The safety measures and quick delivery are proven crucial during tough times like these. The various grocery delivery apps are taking the necessary steps to safeguard the customers and, at the same time, provide hygienic products. Almost all Grocery delivery app development has understood the needs of the moment and has updated it to suit its requirements.