Shopping for groceries online
27 Jun 2017
Online retailer Amazon has recently announced it will expand its Australian operations, hinting at a shake-up of Australia’s supermarket industry. A report in January from Business Insider suggests Amazon will be introducing its online grocery and delivery service, Amazon Fresh, to Australia in this expansion.
While Amazon Fresh will be a new addition to the market, Australia already has quite a few online grocery shopping options.
Getting started
To shop at an online grocery store, you will need to sign up by filling out a few online forms. These are usually straightforward, so shouldn't be too difficult. Once you are signed up, you will be able to begin shopping.
A good online retailer will be user-friendly, with a photo of each product and a clearly marked price. They will also have a ‘shopping trolley’ that saves all the items you select, and allows you to subtract or add things. Look for a little shopping trolley icon, usually found at the top of the page. Your shopping trolley should also display the running cost of everything you select.
When you want to start your first shop, begin by logging into your account. Then you will be able to browse the range of products by category or by using the search function. Once you have finished browsing, click on your trolley to review your selections. Then proceed to the payment and delivery area. Look for a button that says something like ‘Pay securely now,’ or ‘Checkout.’ Here you will confirm your payment details, as well as delivery address. It is a good idea to double check the delivery address and schedule before finalising the payment.
Online shopping options
Now lets take a look at the biggest players currently operating in Australia.
Aussie Farmers Direct/The General Store is an organisation that aims to support Australian farmers and manufacturers by championing Australian produce and pushing for clear labelling of imported products.
Pros:
- User-friendly, easy to navigate and large pictures and text. However, if you want to order multiples of the same item, you will need to click on the plus symbol multiple times
- Offers a range of fruit and veg, plus meat and dairy, as well as various household items
- Allows you to select a range of products to be automatically ordered on a weekly or fortnightly basis
- For orders over $25, delivery is free, orders less than $25 attract a $2 fee
Cons:
- Delivery coverage is limited, it’s best to check if they deliver to your area before signing up
Visit: https://www.aussiefarmers.com.au/
Coles is one of the big two supermarkets, with a vast network of stores across the country.
Pros:
- User-friendly and easy to navigate – but not quite as easy as Aussie Farmers Direct
- Similar range of products to their bricks and mortar stores
Cons:
- Small text on website may pose a problem for people with vision impairment.
- A tad more expensive than Aussie Farmers. Delivery fees vary, but generally range between $4 - $18 for metro areas
Visit: https://shop.coles.com.au/online/mobile/national
Woolworths is the other big supermarket, with hundreds of stores across Australia.
Pros:
- Navigation is user-friendly and text size is easy to read (particularly once you have clicked on a product)
- Similar range to their bricks and mortar stores
- Offers a tracking service that monitors when your delivery will arrive
Cons:
- Delivery fees vary based on cost of order. Broadly speaking, fees range from $3 to $11 and are free for orders over $300. Extra fees may be charged in certain situations
- Navigation on the main page isn't quite as easy as Coles or Aussie Farmers Direct
Visit: https://woolworths.com.au/Shop/Discover/shopping-online
®