grocery shopping via the net

[cellio]

A story on CNN today suggests that grocery shopping by internet is becoming more available. Personally, I'd love it -- and not just for the reason they cite in the story, that it's more convenient for busy people. My grocery store might, theoretically, deliver 50-pound bags of cat food, and 14-pound jugs of litter, and bags full of heavy canned goods, and so on right to my front door, with no shlepping on my part? Count me in! And I'm young and (mostly) able-bodied -- this would be a real boon to those who aren't.

They list downsides of concern for spoilage (how long does it take to get the ice cream to you and will it melt first?) and people not trusting others to pick their produce. Personally, I believe it's in the stores' best interest to deliver quality goods, so I'm not concerned -- and anyway, I suspect most people wouldn't do all their shopping this way. I can easily pop into the store for milk, eggs, and salad makings once a week on the way home from work. A "real" shopping run, though, requires more time and effort. I'd be delighted to just email it in and wait for gratification.

No, for me the issues would be (1) will they deliver at convenient times, (2) will they honor coupons and other discounts, and (3) will they support order placement such as "whichever of Coke or Pepsi is cheaper this week"?

Comments

[hobbitblue.livejournal.com]

Its pretty common in the UK, we have our weekly shop delivered and have for the past couple of years, its very convenient and good for us cos of the various health problems that mean getting food and essentials for the family is a nightmare of trudging round the aisles of a supermarket. Over here the stores set up a "favourites" list, like a shopping list, so once you've bought an item once you just tick it off each week, and they highlight special offers and tell you the prices per item so you can comparison shop. Tis very nifty, and though we sometime have to complain (like the time they brought a roast chicken, steak, sausages and 15 pints of milk all due up the following day!) its pretty reliable overall.