Online shopping brings the supermarket to your door. Most of us regularly buy a similar core range of items, and add on specific ingredients for certain occasions.
The first time you shop online, it can take as long as a regular shop, while you set up a list, select the brands and quantities you prefer and add notes for your personal shopper.
From there on in, it is simply a matter of ticking the items you need on a list and entering your payment details. You can choose a delivery time that works best for you, and your groceries will be delivered to your door.
From one who has used this service on a regular basis, it is amazing – the fruit and vegetables arrive in excellent condition and all instructions are followed to the letter (for example, I prefer to buy bananas which are not over ripe, and I have never been disappointed). If anything, the quantities delivered err on the side of generosity and if there are samples being given away at the checkout this week, you will receive them in your online shopping.
The beauty of online shopping is that you can still earn loyalty points and choose from items on special. The more you spend, the lower your delivery cost, so it’s a good idea to shop online when you need to do a ‘proper shop.’
It is also a good way to keep an eye on your budget and avoid impulse buying (who ever manages to go to the supermarket and not pick up at least a couple of impulse items?). You total accrues on the side of your computer screen as you shop, so you know exactly what you are spending as you go.
If you have a smartphone, you can also download an app that enables you to scan barcodes on items in your pantry as they run out and have them automatically added to your shopping list – isn’t that clever?
The convenience of shopping online is amazing – you can set up a delivery up to seven days in advance. If you are travelling for any length of time and will be coming home to an empty pantry, it’s a great idea to have a delivery booked for the day you get home, to save having to go shopping.