11 Reasons I Buy Groceries Online (Yes, Even Produce)
Is online grocery shopping worth it? Well, let’s start with a story, then you can decide for yourself. Picture this:
It’s a busy weekday, and while working outside on a sunny afternoon in the big city, I suddenly realize: I’m out of groceries. As in, “there’s only a half-eaten takeout container and a lonely apple” out of groceries. I grab my phone, open my online grocery shopping app, and quickly scroll through items I’ve previously purchased, adding them to my cart. Less than two hours later, the doorbell rings, and my groceries have arrived. A quick ten minutes of putting everything away, my grocery shopping is complete.
Still wondering if online grocery shopping is worth it? Here are a few reasons why making the trek to the grocery store is something I’m happy to leave in the past.
Saving Time with Online Grocery Shopping
Grocery shopping used to eat up so much of my time. Think about it: Driving to the store, searching up and down the aisles, waiting in checkout lines, then lugging everything home and putting it all away. But, thanks to online grocers like FreshDirect, it takes just a few minutes to select my items, saving me time on every trip. Even if you don’t live in a bustling area, research shows the time adds up.
Take DiveResearch’s findings on the average time spent on each grocery store trip: 39% of people spending 30–44 minutes grocery shopping per trip, and 27% percent of people spending 45+ minutes grocery shopping per trip. That, combined with the fact that the primary grocery shopper in U.S. households makes an average of 1.6 grocery shopping trips per week (totaling approximately 83 trips per year), raises a question: How much of your life are you spending in the grocery store? And what will you do with all the time you save?
Customizable Delivery Times
One of the best things about online grocery shopping is how easy it is to schedule deliveries. Whether I want my groceries in the morning for that new box of cereal or at night when I return from the day’s activities, I can customize the time based on my schedule. No more rearranging my day around a grocery run—or city traffic.
Access to a Wider Range of Products
One thing I’ve noticed since switching to online grocery shopping is how much more variety there is. From organic foods to gluten-free and kosher, or even foods local to New York City, I have access to a much wider selection. I can also find specialty ingredients for recipes and shop for specific dietary needs without making the trek to multiple stores.
Shop Anytime, Anywhere
As a certified night owl, I love the fact that I can shop online whenever I want. There’s no need to rush to the store before it closes or squeeze in a trip during my lunch break. Whether I’m placing an order at 2 PM or 2 AM, I have complete freedom to shop on my schedule. And, as a city girl, I love the added safety—I don’t have to worry about finding a safe place to park after dark.
Price Comparison Made Easy
When I’m shopping online, comparing prices is so much simpler. I don’t have to go up and down the aisles, reading labels and calculating prices in my head. Instead, I can quickly browse and find the best deals with just a few clicks, ensuring I’m getting the most value for my money.
Less Stress for Busy Families
While I may not have any kids (unless my pug counts?), I know from time with friends just how chaotic grocery shopping with kiddos can be. It is through these friends I discovered the joy of buying household staples online. In addition to less hassle, they avoid having to say “no” to the many requests for sugary and processed foods they want to minimize or save for a special treat
Convenience for Big City Living
Living in a large city makes grocery shopping even more of a challenge. Finding parking, navigating crowded stores, or hauling groceries back to an apartment can turn a simple shopping trip into an all-day event. Ubers also cost money, and no one wants to juggle arms full of grocery bags on any form of public transportation. With online grocery shopping, I skip the hassle of carrying heavy bags through subway stations or crowded streets.
Another bonus? I avoid the need for dry cleaning: No more sweating through my work clothes while I drag my bags of groceries home, praying the handles will hold before my products spill out across the sidewalk.
Fresh Produce? Absolutely!
I know what you might be thinking: “But what about fresh produce?” I hear this a lot when talking to friends about online grocery shopping, but there’s no need to fear. Quality is key for online grocers: Companies know they can’t send me bruised apples or wilted lettuce if they want my repeat business. Their brand reputation depends on it, and companies like FreshDirect are determined to deliver.
In fact, I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the quality of produce I’ve received. Whether it’s fruits, vegetables, or herbs, everything arrives fresh and ready to use. And with many services allowing you to provide feedback or even rate your produce, the quality standards remain high.
Saving Money with Online Grocery Shopping
One of my favorite perks of shopping for groceries online is how much money I’ve saved. Without the temptation of impulse buys, I can stick to what I really need. Plus, I can see my total as I add items to my cart, which makes it easy to stay within budget. If I notice the cost creeping up, I can remove items or switch to less expensive options before I check out—something that’s harder to do when you’re already standing in line at the store.
Say Goodbye to Heavy Lifting
One of the biggest perks of online grocery shopping that I appreciate is avoiding the heavy lifting. Whether it’s multiple bags of groceries or bulky items like cases of water, there’s no need to haul everything home. Even with a grocery store a mere two blocks away from my city apartment, who has the arm strength for multiple cases of soda and beer?
Online Grocery Shopping is Good for the Environment Too
Online grocery shopping isn’t just about saving time and money — it’s better for the environment too. By cutting down on individual trips to the store, grocery delivery services reduce fuel consumption and lower emissions. Plus, studies show that online grocery shopping can help cut supply chain waste by up to 40%. Many services batch orders and optimize delivery routes, making the process more efficient than if each person made their own separate trip. And let’s not forget, fewer impulse purchases can also mean less food waste.
So, by shopping online, you’re not just making life easier for yourself—you’re helping the environment too.
Is Online Grocery Shopping Worth It?
So, is it worth it? Personally, I’m never going back to weekly shops in-store again. From saving time and managing my grocery budget to reducing my environmental impact, online grocery shopping offers convenience and flexibility that I can’t get from a regular trip to the store.
If you’re still unsure, imagine this:
It’s a busy workday, and you’ve got an event to attend later. You realize you should bring something, but your groceries are running low. (Particularly when it comes to items appropriate for a gathering with friends!). With no time to get to the store between meetings, you pull out your phone and place an order. Within minutes, you’re back to focusing on your day, secure in the knowledge that your groceries are on the way.
So, what are you waiting for? If you live in New York City or the Tri-State area, start shopping at FreshDirect today!