{"id":92988,"date":"2023-09-14T17:54:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-14T21:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freshdirect.com\/blog\/?p=92988"},"modified":"2026-04-15T12:50:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T16:50:09","slug":"11-reasons-i-buy-groceries-online","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freshdirect.com\/blog\/11-reasons-i-buy-groceries-online\/","title":{"rendered":"11 Reasons I Buy Groceries Online (Yes, Even Produce)"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Is online grocery shopping worth it? <\/span>Well, let\u2019s start with a story, then you can decide for yourself.\u00a0<\/span>Picture this:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

It\u2019s a busy weekday, and while working outside on a sunny afternoon in the big city, I suddenly realize: I\u2019m out of groceries. As in, \u201cthere\u2019s only a half-eaten takeout container and a lonely apple\u201d out of groceries. I grab my phone, open my online grocery shopping app, and quickly scroll through items I\u2019ve 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.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Still wondering if online grocery shopping is worth it? <\/span>Here are a few reasons why making the trek to the grocery store is something I\u2019m happy to leave in the past.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Saving Time with Online Grocery Shopping<\/span><\/h2>

Grocery shopping used to eat up so much of my time.\u00a0<\/span>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.\u00a0<\/span>But, thanks to online grocers like <\/span>FreshDirect<\/span><\/a>, it takes just a few minutes to select my items, saving me time on every trip.\u00a0<\/span>Even if you don\u2019t live in a bustling area, research shows the time adds up.<\/span><\/p>

Take <\/span>DiveResearch\u2019s<\/span><\/a> findings on the average time spent on each grocery store trip: 39% of people spending 30\u201344 minutes grocery shopping per trip, and 27% percent of people spending 45+ minutes grocery shopping per trip.\u00a0<\/span>That, combined with the fact that the primary grocery shopper in U.S. households makes <\/span>an average of <\/b>1.6 grocery shopping trips<\/b><\/a> per week<\/b> (totaling approximately <\/span>83 trips per year<\/b>), raises a question:\u00a0<\/span>How much of your life are you spending in the grocery store? And what will you do with all the time you save?\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Customizable Delivery Times<\/span><\/h2>

One of the best things about online grocery shopping is how easy it is to schedule deliveries.\u00a0<\/span>Whether I want my groceries in the morning for that new box of <\/span>cereal<\/span><\/a> or at night when I return from the day\u2019s activities, I can customize the time based on my schedule. No more rearranging my day around a grocery run\u2014or city traffic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Access to a Wider Range of Products<\/span><\/h2>

One thing I\u2019ve noticed since switching to online grocery shopping is how much more variety there is.\u00a0<\/span>From <\/span>organic foods<\/span><\/a> to <\/span>gluten-free<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>kosher<\/span><\/a>, or even <\/span>foods local to New York City<\/span><\/a>, 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.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Shop Anytime, Anywhere<\/span><\/h2>

As a certified night owl, I love the fact that I can shop online whenever I want. There\u2019s no need to rush to the store before it closes or squeeze in a trip during my lunch break.\u00a0<\/span>Whether I\u2019m 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\u2014I don\u2019t have to worry about finding a safe place to park after dark.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Price Comparison Made Easy<\/span><\/h2>

When I\u2019m shopping online, comparing prices is so much simpler.\u00a0<\/span>I don\u2019t 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\u2019m getting the most value for my money.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"\"Less Stress for Busy Families<\/span><\/h2>

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.\u00a0<\/span>It is through these friends I discovered the joy of buying household staples online. In addition to less hassle, they avoid having to say \u201cno\u201d to the many requests for sugary and processed foods they want to minimize or save for a special treat<\/span><\/p>

Convenience for Big City Living<\/span><\/p>

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.\u00a0<\/span>Ubers also cost money, and no one wants to juggle arms full of grocery bags on any form of public transportation.\u00a0<\/span>With online grocery shopping, I skip the hassle of carrying heavy bags through subway stations or crowded streets.<\/span><\/p>

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.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Fresh Produce? Absolutely!<\/span><\/h2>

I know what you might be thinking: “But what about fresh produce?”\u00a0<\/span>I hear this a lot when talking to friends about online grocery shopping, but there\u2019s no need to fear.\u00a0<\/span>Quality is key for online grocers: Companies know they can\u2019t 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.<\/span><\/p>

In fact, I\u2019ve been pleasantly surprised with the quality of produce I\u2019ve received.\u00a0<\/span>Whether it\u2019s <\/span>fruits<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>vegetables<\/span><\/a>, or <\/span>herbs<\/span><\/a>, 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Learn more about how FreshDirect shortens the supply chain and keeps fresh produce in peak conditions here ><\/a><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Saving Money with Online Grocery Shopping<\/span><\/h2>

One of my favorite perks of shopping for groceries online is how much money I\u2019ve saved. Without the temptation of impulse buys, I can stick to what I really need. <\/span>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\u2014something that\u2019s harder to do when you\u2019re already standing in line at the store.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Say Goodbye to Heavy Lifting<\/span><\/h2>

One of the biggest perks of online grocery shopping that I appreciate is avoiding the heavy lifting.\u00a0<\/span>Whether it’s multiple bags of groceries or bulky items like cases of water, there\u2019s no need to haul everything home.\u00a0<\/span>Even with a grocery store a mere two blocks away from my city apartment, who has the arm strength for multiple cases of <\/span>soda<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>beer<\/span><\/a>?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Online Grocery Shopping is Good for the Environment Too<\/span><\/h2>

Online grocery shopping isn\u2019t just about saving time and money \u2014 it\u2019s better for the environment too. By cutting down on individual trips to the store, grocery delivery services reduce fuel consumption and lower emissions.\u00a0<\/span>Plus, studies show that online grocery shopping can help cut supply chain waste by <\/span>up to 40%<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>Many services batch orders and optimize delivery routes, making the process more efficient than if each person made their own separate trip. And let\u2019s not forget, fewer impulse purchases can also mean less food waste.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

So, by shopping online, you\u2019re not just making life easier for yourself\u2014you\u2019re helping the environment too.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Is Online Grocery Shopping Worth It?<\/span><\/h2>

So, is it worth it? Personally, I\u2019m never going back to weekly shops in-store again.\u00a0<\/span>From saving time and managing my grocery budget to reducing my environmental impact, online grocery shopping offers convenience and flexibility that I can\u2019t get from a regular trip to the store.<\/span><\/p>

If you\u2019re still unsure, imagine this:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

It\u2019s a busy workday, and you\u2019ve 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!).\u00a0 <\/span>With no time to get to the store between meetings, you pull out your phone and place an order. Within minutes, you\u2019re back to focusing on your day, secure in the knowledge that your groceries are on the way. <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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So, what are you waiting for? If you live in New York City or the Tri-State area, <\/span>start shopping at FreshDirect today!<\/span><\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Is online grocery shopping worth it? Well, let\u2019s start with a story, then you can decide for yourself.\u00a0Picture this:\u00a0 It\u2019s a busy weekday, and while working outside on a sunny afternoon in the big city, I suddenly realize: I\u2019m out of groceries. As in, \u201cthere\u2019s only a half-eaten takeout container and a lonely apple\u201d out of groceries. I grab my phone, open my online grocery shopping app, and quickly scroll through items I\u2019ve 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\u2019m happy to leave in the past. Saving Time with Online Grocery Shopping Grocery shopping used to eat up so much of my time.\u00a0Think 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.\u00a0But, thanks to online grocers like FreshDirect, it takes just a few minutes to select my items, saving me time on every trip.\u00a0Even if you don\u2019t live in a bustling area, research shows the time adds up. Take DiveResearch\u2019s findings on the average time spent on each grocery store trip: 39% of people spending 30\u201344 minutes grocery shopping per trip, and 27% percent of people spending 45+ minutes grocery shopping per trip.\u00a0That, 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:\u00a0How much of your life are you spending in the grocery store? And what will you do with all the time you save?\u00a0 Customizable Delivery Times One of the best things about online grocery shopping is how easy it is to schedule deliveries.\u00a0Whether I want my groceries in the morning for that new box of cereal or at night when I return from the day\u2019s activities, I can customize the time based on my schedule. No more rearranging my day around a grocery run\u2014or city traffic.\u00a0 Access to a Wider Range of Products One thing I\u2019ve noticed since switching to online grocery shopping is how much more variety there is.\u00a0From 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\u2019s no need to rush to the store before it closes or squeeze in a trip during my lunch break.\u00a0Whether I\u2019m 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\u2014I don\u2019t have to worry about finding a safe place to park after dark. Price Comparison Made Easy When I\u2019m shopping online, comparing prices is so much simpler.\u00a0I don\u2019t 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\u2019m 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.\u00a0It is through these friends I discovered the joy of buying household staples online. In addition to less hassle, they avoid having to say \u201cno\u201d 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.\u00a0Ubers also cost money, and no one wants to juggle arms full of grocery bags on any form of public transportation.\u00a0With 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?”\u00a0I hear this a lot when talking to friends about online grocery shopping, but there\u2019s no need to fear.\u00a0Quality is key for online grocers: Companies know they can\u2019t 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\u2019ve been pleasantly surprised with the quality of produce I\u2019ve received.\u00a0Whether it\u2019s 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.\u00a0 Learn more about how FreshDirect shortens the supply chain and keeps fresh produce in peak conditions here > Saving Money with Online Grocery Shopping One of my favorite perks of shopping for groceries online is how much money I\u2019ve 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\u2014something that\u2019s harder to do when you\u2019re 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.\u00a0Whether it’s multiple bags of groceries or bulky items like cases of water, there\u2019s no need to haul everything home.\u00a0Even 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?\u00a0 Online Grocery Shopping is Good for the Environment Too Online grocery shopping isn\u2019t just about saving time and money \u2014 it\u2019s better for the environment too. By cutting down on individual trips to the store, grocery delivery services reduce fuel consumption and lower emissions.\u00a0Plus, 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\u2019s not forget, fewer impulse purchases can also mean less food waste.\u00a0 So, by shopping online, you\u2019re not just making life easier for yourself\u2014you\u2019re helping the environment too. Is Online Grocery Shopping Worth It? So, is it worth it? Personally, I\u2019m never going back to weekly shops in-store again.\u00a0From saving time and managing my grocery budget to reducing my environmental impact, online grocery shopping offers convenience and flexibility that I can\u2019t get from a regular trip to the store. If you\u2019re still unsure, imagine this:\u00a0 It\u2019s a busy workday, and you\u2019ve 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!).\u00a0 With no time to get to the store between meetings, you pull out your phone and place an order. Within minutes, you\u2019re 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!\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":69275,"featured_media":92999,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[221],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-92988","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-expert-food-tips"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freshdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92988","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freshdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freshdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freshdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/69275"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freshdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=92988"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/www.freshdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92988\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":93016,"href":"https:\/\/www.freshdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92988\/revisions\/93016"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freshdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/92999"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freshdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=92988"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freshdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=92988"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freshdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=92988"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}