Skip to headerSkip to main contentSkip to footer
Get our Free E-newslettersGet our Free E-newsletters
Kiplinger logoLink to homepage
Get our Free E-newslettersGet our Free E-newsletters
Subscribe to Kiplinger
Subscribe to Kiplinger
Save up to 76%
Subscribe
Subscribe to Kiplinger
  • Store
  • Home
  • Investing
  • Retirement
  • Taxes
  • Personal Finance
  • Your Business
  • Wealth Creation
    • Podcasts
    • Economic Outlooks
    • Tools
    • Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine
    • The Kiplinger Letter
    • The Kiplinger Tax Letter
    • Kiplinger's Investing for Income
    • Kiplinger's Retirement Report
    • Store
    • Manage My E-Newsletters
    • My Subscriptions
Skip advert
  • Home
  • Smart Buying
Smart Buying

Online Grocery Shopping in the Coronavirus Era: 8 Things You Must Know

The coronavirus outbreak has forced many consumers to rethink how they'll carry out everyday household errands without putting themselves in harm's way.

by: Andrea Browne Taylor
March 26, 2020

Getty Images

Skip advert

The coronavirus outbreak has forced many consumers to rethink how they'll carry out everyday household errands without putting themselves in harm's way. In recent weeks, grocery stores have been wiped out by frantic shoppers stocking up on essential items such as toilet paper and disinfectant wipes. But as more consumers adhere to shelter-in-place recommendations and more stores limit access, online grocery shopping is fast trending up.

In fact, GroceryDive.com reports that Instacart, Walmart Grocery and Shipt have all seen surges in average daily app downloads in the last month. Instacart led the way with a 218% increase, followed by Walmart at 160% and Shipt at 124%.

Suddenly, the dynamics of online grocery shopping have changed dramatically -- even for longtime customers. We've talked with industry insiders and smart shopping experts about what consumers can expect these days when ordering groceries online. Here's what they had to say.

  • 10 Products in Short Supply Due to the Coronavirus
Skip advert
Skip advert
Skip advert

1 of 8

Expect Delays, Delays, Delays

businesswoman checking the time on watch at her office waiting for someone coming late

Getty Images

Skip advert

Consumers frantically stocking their pantries in recent days have shared horror stories about orders canceled without warning due to high volume. The sudden uptick has resulted in popular online grocers, such as Peapod and Fresh Direct, experiencing technical and logistical issues that have caused delays, according to GroceryDive.com. Simply put: These services, especially those in major cities, are struggling to meet the demand, says Jeff Wells, a senior editor for the website. As of March 18, a Kiplinger colleague scheduling a Peapod order faced a 10-day wait for his groceries.

Unfortunately, consumers looking to avoid in-store crowds don't have much recourse in a situation like this, says Saundra Latham, a staff writer for Cheapism.com. Recent mishaps have even forced some grocery delivery services to post disclaimers on their websites warning shoppers about delays (some lasting several hours or days) and limited inventory. Customers who opt to shop for groceries online will need to temper their expectations and be prepared to try a few different services to secure needed items, she advises.

 

  • 15 Safe Ways to Earn Extra Cash in the Age of the Coronavirus
Skip advert
Skip advert
Skip advert

2 of 8

First-Time Shoppers Can Score Deep Discounts

Hanging tags, you can separate easily from the background, clipping path included.

Getty Images

Skip advert

In-store shoppers who've registered for their favorite grocer's loyalty program know they can rely on weekly sales to score deals. You can also save the same way online, and many grocery delivery services offer extra discounts exclusively for newbies. For example, on Safeway.com first-time shoppers get $20 off their order, plus free shipping. The site usually charges a $9.95 delivery fee for orders under $150, in addition to a service fee that ranges from $3.95 to $4.95 depending on your location. These discounts can be beneficial if you're testing out different services for the first time to find the best online grocery delivery service for your household, says consumer-savings expert Andrea Woroch.

 

  • How to Clean and Maintain Your Car in the Coronavirus Era
Skip advert
Skip advert
Skip advert

3 of 8

Get Used to Someone Else Choosing Your Produce

Getty Images

Skip advert

If you've decided to use an online grocery delivery service for the first time due to the coronavirus outbreak, you'll need to get comfortable real quick with someone else doing your grocery shopping for you. This means you won't be able to carefully examine your own fresh produce or pick the gallon of milk with the expiration date that's farthest away, Cheapism.com's Latham reminds shoppers. So you run the risk of receiving a couple bad apples or a carton of eggs with a few that are broken.

This is why you'll want to take a quick look at your ordered items before the delivery driver pulls off. (That's a lot easier said than done if you choose to have your order left at your front door to maintain your "social distance.") Some online grocers allow you to return items you're dissatisfied with on the spot for a full refund. Others provide a customer-service hotline where you can file a complaint. Pro tip: To avoid potential mishaps altogether when ordering produce and the like, consider ordering frozen versions where possible. If you're particularly health-conscious, many stores including Safeway and discount grocer Lidl offer frozen organic fruits and vegetables with no added sugar or salt.

TOOL: Stimulus Check Calculator

Skip advert
Skip advert
Skip advert

4 of 8

Take Precautions to Help Prevent the Spread of Germs

Shot of a focused young man cleaning the surface of a table with cleaning equipment at home during the day

Getty Images

Skip advert

The groceries you'll order online and get from a packing facility are no cleaner than the groceries you'd pull from the store's shelves yourself.

If you prefer fresh produce but are concerned about germs (because who knows how many hands touched the tomato that made it into your shopping bag), thoroughly rinse your delivered fruits and vegetables with soap and water before stashing them in the refrigerator, ConsumerReports.org recommends. The site also urges shoppers to do the same for other items that might be stored in non-porous containers before placing them in your cabinets. You'll also want to wipe down any countertops or surfaces where you unpacked your grocery items.

 

  • Finding the Best Savings Account After the Coronavirus Interest Rate Cuts
Skip advert
Skip advert
Skip advert

5 of 8

Budget for Additional Online Fees

Piggy bank with dollars banknotes.Some similar pictures from my portfolio:

Getty Images

Skip advert

Most online grocery delivery services tack on fees at checkout. You'll pay a delivery fee, which covers the cost of transporting your items to your home. And there's a service fee, which covers processing and preparing your order for delivery.

For example, at Kroger, which doesn't have a minimum order amount, the delivery fee ranges from $9.95 to $11.95 depending on your location. On Instacart.com, which has a $10 minimum order amount, the delivery fee varies depending on the size of your order. Using Instacart, we added a bottle of minced garlic, a one-gallon jug of organic milk and a carton of organic brown eggs from a Washington, D.C.-area Wegmans to our virtual shopping cart. The groceries themselves cost $18.07, plus a $7.99 delivery fee and a $2.00 service fee, which brought the final total to $28.06.

You'll also need to factor in a tip for the driver. When checking out online, most online grocers have a field designated for the tip. Etiquette experts recommend tipping at least 10% of your grocery costs (fees not included).

 

  • Tax Credits Included in Coronavirus Paid Leave Law
Skip advert
Skip advert
Skip advert

6 of 8

Be Prepared to Substitute for Your Favorite Brands

Multi-ethnici couple choosing between two ice cream flavour

Getty Images

Skip advert

With the onslaught of online grocery orders in recent days, many delivery services are scrambling to keep popular items in stock. You'll need to be flexible. You might end up having to swap out your favorite brand of organic milk or chocolate-chip cookies for another version if the one you love is not available, says Cheapism.com's Latham.

 

  • The Coronavirus at Work: Your Legal Questions Answered
Skip advert
Skip advert
Skip advert

7 of 8

Get Your Groceries Dropped Off at Your Doorstep

Crate of fruit and vegetables on the doorstep beside front door

Getty Images

Skip advert

In the midst of this global pandemic, online grocery delivery services are making an effort to prevent the spread of the virus. A few grocery delivery platforms, including Instacart and Amazon Fresh, allow customers to have their orders dropped off at their front door. In other words, you won't ever have to interact with the delivery driver, which could potentially lead to the spread of the virus.

On Instacart, you simply select the “leave at my door" delivery option, which is available in select cities, at checkout. When the driver arrives at the designated time, he'll leave the groceries at your front step. You can even leave instructions for him to send a photo confirmation once the order has been delivered. Amazon Fresh's doorstep delivery option is available in all cities where the service operates. To find out if Amazon Fresh delivers to you, go to Amazon.com/Fresh.

 

  • Coronavirus Legal Advice: Get Your Business and Estate in Order Now
Skip advert
Skip advert
Skip advert

8 of 8

Don't Overlook Local Grocers

Portrait of smiling Hispanic grocery store owners

Getty Images

Skip advert

We've entered uncharted territory. Online grocery delivery services that we would normally recommend without pause are experiencing major hiccups due to the overwhelming number of new customers. If you're struggling to get your favorite and necessary groceries delivered, consider supporting your neighborhood supermarket or co-op, advises Kyle James, founder of Rather-Be-Shopping.com. "Many local grocers are offering curbside pickup for those more at risk who need help," he adds.

To find out if your favorite mom-and-pop grocer is offering such services, call and ask. Going this route still allows you to adhere to social distancing and limit your interaction with large groups in a public space. And with so many small businesses being forced to shut their doors, it'll give you an opportunity to support local businesses in your community.

 

  • How to Invest Amid Coronavirus Panic
Skip advert
Skip advert
Skip advert
  • shopping
  • groceries
  • Coronavirus and Your Money
  • Smart Buying
Share via EmailShare on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedIn
Skip advert
Skip advert
Skip advert
Skip advert

Recommended

Taxes on Unemployment Benefits: A State-by-State Guide
state tax

Taxes on Unemployment Benefits: A State-by-State Guide

Don't be surprised by an unexpected state tax bill on your unemployment benefits. Know where unemployment compensation is taxable and where it isn't.
June 23, 2022
Is a Recession Coming?
Smart Buying

Is a Recession Coming?

With a lot of recession talk out there, we might just talk ourselves into one. We take that risk with Jim Patterson of The Kiplinger Letter. Also, dol…
May 31, 2022
COVID’s Financial Toll Isn’t What You Think
Coronavirus and Your Money

COVID’s Financial Toll Isn’t What You Think

From a grandma’s retirement in ruins to a troubled teen inheriting too soon, COVID’s effects will last for generations. While nothing can prepare you …
May 21, 2022
10 States With the Highest Sales Taxes
state tax

10 States With the Highest Sales Taxes

When both state and local taxes are considered, you'll pay more sales tax when shopping in these states.
May 17, 2022

Most Popular

Top Bear Market Tips from 10 Financial Advisers
investing

Top Bear Market Tips from 10 Financial Advisers

When a bull market turns into a bear market, it can be hard to know what to do. Take comfort in the guidance of 10 financial professionals.
June 30, 2022
Your Guide to Roth Conversions
Special Report
Tax Breaks

Your Guide to Roth Conversions

A Kiplinger Special Report
February 25, 2021
The 15 Best Stocks for the Rest of 2022
stocks to buy

The 15 Best Stocks for the Rest of 2022

The lesson of the past two years: Be ready for anything. Our 15 best stocks to buy for the rest of 2022 reflect several possible outcomes for the seco…
June 21, 2022
  • Customer Service
  • About Us
  • Advertise With Us (PDF)
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Kiplinger Careers
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy Preferences

Subscribe to Kiplinger's Personal Finance

Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Save up to 76%Subscribe to Kiplinger's Personal Finance
Do Not Sell My Information

Kiplinger is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site www.futureplc.com
© Future US LLC, 10th floor, 1100 13th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005. All rights reserved.

Follow us on InstagramFollow us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterConnect on LinkedInConnect on YouTube