Your Guide to Grocery Delivery Services

Photo by Matheus Cenali

In the past few years, grocery delivery services have become an innovative solution reshaping the way we shop for essentials. Yet, is a grocery delivery service right for you? Let’s explore how to get groceries delivered and what stores and companies offer grocery delivery. 

While some may see this service as a luxury, grocery delivery services have the power to revolutionize the way we access food, making it more accessible, convenient for busy schedules or a solution for those with limited access to transportation to obtain fresh, healthy groceries.

If you’re looking to remove an item for your weekly to-do list, consider paying someone else to gather your groceries. 

Here’s what you need to know about grocery delivery services. 

Your Guide to Grocery Delivery Services

From established giants to emerging startups, there’s a plethora of grocery delivery options available.

When you have your groceries delivered, you eliminate the stress and time commitment of going to the grocery store each week. No more weaving through crowded aisles, juggling heavy bags and certainly no more waiting in long checkout lines.

With just a few clicks on your smartphone or computer, you can have your groceries delivered right to your doorstep, saving you time and energy.

First, let’s explore how it works. 

How to Get Groceries Delivered

Let’s start with the basics. How do you get groceries delivered to your home? Here’s a list of recommended steps you can take:

Choose a service: Select a grocery delivery service from the list below that operates in your area. Consider the stores you shop at the most, the service cost and convenience of each option. 

Check delivery areas: Confirm that the service delivers to your location. Some services may have limited coverage areas, so it’s essential to verify before placing an order.

Make sure delivery is in your budget. Convenience comes at a price, and grocery delivery services are no exception. While some of these services may be more reasonable than you think (see below), here are a few fees to consider depending on the service you choose:

• Delivery fee: This is the base fee charged for the delivery service. It covers the cost of picking, packing and transporting your groceries from the store to your doorstep. Delivery fees may fluctuate during peak times. 
• Minimum order requirement: Most grocery delivery services impose a minimum order requirement to qualify for delivery. If your order total falls below this threshold, you may incur an additional fee or be required to pay a surcharge to meet the minimum.
• Membership fees: Some grocery delivery services offer membership or subscription plans that provide benefits, such as free or discounted deliveries, exclusive deals and perks, and priority access to delivery time slots. These memberships typically involve a recurring fee paid either monthly or annually.
• Tipping: While not technically a fee imposed by the delivery service itself, tipping your delivery driver is customary and appreciated. Tips typically range from 10% to 20% of the order total and can be added to your payment during checkout or provided in cash upon delivery.

Create an account: Sign up and create an account on the grocery delivery website or app. This typically requires providing basic information, such as your name, address and contact details.

Browse and select items: Explore the online catalog of the grocery delivery service to browse through available products. Add desired items to your virtual cart by simply clicking or tapping on them.

Customize your order: Many services offer customization options such as specifying preferences for fresh produce, selecting substitutions for out-of-stock items or adding special instructions for delivery.

Schedule delivery time: Choose a convenient delivery time slot that fits your schedule. Most services offer flexible options, allowing you to select a date and time window for delivery.

Review and edit your order: Before finalizing your order, review the items in your cart to ensure accuracy. Make any necessary adjustments or additions before proceeding to checkout.

Apply coupons or promotions: Take advantage of any available discounts, coupons or promotional offers to save money on your groceries.

Provide delivery instructions: If you have specific delivery instructions or preferences, such as leaving the groceries at your doorstep or ringing the doorbell upon arrival, make sure to add your notes during checkout.

Also, some grocery stores are offer pick-up service. Simply order online and they’ll prepare your grocery list, bag it up for you and deliver it to your car in the store parking lot. 

Complete payment: Enter your payment information and proceed to checkout to finalize your order. Most services accept various payment methods, including credit/debit cards, mobile wallets and online payment platforms.

Also in Oregon, you can use SNAP EBT benefits to shop and pay for groceries online. Participating services will indicate which items are eligible. Some platforms also waive minimum order amounts for SNAP EBT cardholders.

Track your order: Once your order is confirmed, track its status through the delivery service’s app or website. This allows you to stay informed about the progress of your delivery and estimated arrival time.

Receive and inspect delivery: When your groceries arrive, carefully inspect the items to ensure they meet your expectations and are in good condition.

Now that you know how grocery delivery services work, let’s find the grocery delivery service that works best for you. 

What grocery stores deliver groceries?

Looking for what grocery stores deliver? Most grocery stores have a delivery option, either offered by the store or through delivery companies. 

Let’s dive into the stores and companies offering grocery delivery. Some may be offering special sign-on promotions so be sure to explore multiple options and compare prices to find your ideal service. 

CostcoGrocery

Love Costco, but can’t handle the crowds? Skip the hassle with CostcoGrocery. Costco has partnered with Instacart to offer a convenient, personalized shopping experience without having to step foot into a warehouse. 

Options: Only Costco members are able to shop using these options. You can choose same-day or two-day delivery, depending on what you need. You can also order delivery from Shipt.

How to order: Pay for same-day delivery through the Instacart website or app or on the Costco website or opt for free two-day delivery through Costco’s website. Here’s how to breakdown the options: Same day includes perishable items and two-day is for nonperishable items. 

Cost: Same-day orders are subject to an Instacart delivery fee starting at $3.99 for orders of $35+. You get free delivery of nonperishable pantry items with two-day delivery orders of $75 or more.

Minimum purchase: $35 for same-day delivery. $75 for two-day delivery. 

Same-day delivery: Yes.

Fred Meyer

If Fred Meyer is your favorite local grocery store, try delivery or pickup the next time you need groceries. 

Options: Freddie’s offers two options: Delivery and Delivery Now. Both are offered via Instacart. Delivery gets you groceries same day while Delivery Now expedites arrival in as little as 30 minutes. Also, you can choose store pickup. You can also order delivery from Shipt. 

How to order: Choose Delivery, Delivery Now or pickup on Fred Meyer’s website to get started. 

Cost: Same-day pickup is free for orders of $35 or more. For delivery, there is a $6.95 fee for same day. For Delivery Now, there is variable pricing and a minimum order of $10. 

Minimum purchase: $35 or more for standard delivery. $10 or more for 30-minute delivery. 

Same-day delivery: Yes.

Instacart

If you’re looking for lots of options all in one place, look no further than Instacart. This delivery service has expanded from groceries and now includes pet supply, hardware, pharmacy, office supply, beauty and liquor stores. 

Choice of stores: Fred Meyer, New Seasons, Costco, Safeway, Target, Walgreens, Lowe’s, Grocery Outlet, Petco, Albertsons, QFC, Sephora, Restaurant Depot, Staples, Michaels, 7-Eleven, Rite Aid, Office Depot, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Best Buy, The Wine Shop, Bath & Body Works, Jacksons Food Stores, Pearl Liquor, Sunbasket and Kiehl’s.

Options: Instacart offers standard grocery delivery services as well as Instacart+ membership. 

How to order: Visit the Instacart website or order through the Instacart app.

Cost: Instacart same-day delivery starts at $3.99 for orders over $35. Fees vary for one-hour deliveries, club store deliveries and deliveries under $35. There is a minimum order of $10. To view the delivery fee, choose your desired delivery window at checkout.

Also, Instacart has service fees, which vary depending on your location and the number and types of items in your cart. This fee is also displayed at checkout. 

Instacart+ members get free delivery on orders $35 or more per retailer. The membership costs $9.99 per month. According to Instacart, members save $7 per order, and also receive reduced service fees. 

Minimum purchase: $10

Same-day delivery: Yes.

Mercato

If you’re looking for a niche platform that serves Portland’s locally owned grocery stores, check out Mercato.

Choice of stores: Cherry Sprout Produce, Portland Fish Market and White’s Country Meats.

Options: Mercato offers store pickup, delivery and a membership plan.

How to order: Visit Mercato’s website. 

Cost: Pickup from these locations is free. Delivery costs vary. Also, Mercato offers a membership program. For $19 a month, get unlimited delivery within 10 miles of your home. 

Minimum purchase: $10-20, depending on the store. 

Same-day delivery: Yes.

Postmates and Uber Eats

The popular food delivery platforms also offer delivery from select grocery stores. Now that Uber Eats owns Postmates, there are really no discernible differences so I am including them together. 

Choice of stores: Grocery Outlet, Safeway, Albertsons, Target, 7-Eleven and Chevron ExtraMile.

How to order: Visit Postmates’ or Uber Eats websites or order through the apps.

Cost: Delivery fee and service fee on each order, depending on location of store and items purchased. Uber One, which offers free delivery on orders of $15 or more, is available for $9.99 a month or $96 per year.

Minimum purchase: None, although Uber One members get free delivery on orders of $15 or more.

Same-day delivery: Yes.

Safeway

If the convenience of Safeway tops your list of to-go grocery stores, you may be interested in its delivery options. 

Options: Safeway offers FreshPass, a subscription that gives you unlimited free delivery and other store perks. You can also order delivery from Safeway via Instacart, Shipt and Postmates. 

How to order: Login on Safeway’s website or order via the app. 

Cost: For $99 per year or $12.99 a month, get free unlimited delivery on orders over $30.

Minimum purchase: $30+.

Same-day delivery: Yes.

Shipt

This is another national delivery service that offers groceries right to your door from multiple stores. 

Choice of stores: Fred Meyer, Walgreens, Costco, Target, Petco, CVS, Safeway, Office Depot and Petco.

Options: Shipt offers membership plans only. 

How to order: Visit the Shipt website or download the Shipt app.

Cost: $99 per year or $10.99 per month. There is also a student membership for $4.99.

Minimum purchase: None, but there’s a $7 delivery fee for purchases under $35.

Same-day delivery: Yes.

Target

If Target is your go-to store, here’s how you can cash in on convenience with a membership or delivery. 

Options: Target offers Target Circle 360 membership for $99 per year. The store also offers standard delivery and curbside pickup. You can also order from Instacart, Postmates and Shipt. 

How to order: Visit Target’s website or the Target app. 

Cost: Target Circle 360 membership is $99 per year and gives you unlimited same-day delivery on orders above $35. Target also prides itself on having no delivery markups on its products or additional fees for members. Standard delivery is $9.99 with a $35 order minimum.

Target also offers pickup at select stores via the Target app. 

Minimum purchase:$35 minimum purchase. 

Same-day delivery: Yes. 

Walmart

Get Walmart’s everyday low prices without having to step inside the store with delivery or pickup.

Options: Walmart+ offers grocery delivery for free to members. You can also choose free pickup on orders of $35 or more. 

How to order: Place orders on Walmart’s website or on the Walmart app. 

Cost: Pickup is free with a $35 minimum order. Walmart+ plans start at $12.95 per month or $98 per year. 

Minimum purchase: $35 for both pickup and delivery.

Same-day delivery: Yes.

Whole Foods

Since Amazon bought Whole Foods, the online retailer has integrated a digital storefront offering pickup and delivery.

Options: Pickup and delivery are available to Amazon Prime members only.

How to order: Place orders on Whole Foods or Amazon websites.

Cost: Grocery pickup from Whole Foods Market is free for Prime members on orders over $35. Delivery orders are $9.95 for Amazon Prime members. There is also a monthly delivery subscription option of $9.99 per month. 

Minimum purchase: $35.

Same-day delivery: Yes. 

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