How to Get the Most Out of Online Grocery Shopping

Once upon a time, precious weekends were spent running countless errands, braving long checkout lines at the grocery store, and stocking the pantry for the week ahead. But thanks to the ease, affordability, and exceptional quality of online groceries, those days are over. Weekends can officially be your time again.

In fact, studies show that buying your groceries online is not only better for the environment, but is also steadily growing in popularity as more and more people want to save time, money, and hassle by skipping the grocery store and getting more for every dollar. If you’re considering joining Thrive Market or want to learn how to maximize your membership by shopping the brands you love, here’s everything you need to know about getting the most out of online grocery shopping.

5 Great Reasons to Grocery Shop Online

It might feel strange to complete your shopping list from your smartphone or to forgo struggling with a rickety shopping cart, but you’ll soon appreciate the many benefits to shopping for your groceries online instead of hitting the store.

01: Never leave the house

Grocery shopping in your pajamas? Yes, please! Forget rounding up the troops for a trip to the store, fighting for a parking space, and lugging in heavy grocery bags from the car. Thrive Market lets you shop from the comfort of your home and delivers all your favorite healthy products right to your door—no heavy bags required. Baby down for a nap? Late night? Not up for braving that nasty snow storm? Bring the grocery store to you!

02: Shop for groceries 24/7

Whether loading up your shopping cart from your computer, tablet, or smartphone (using the handy Thrive Market app), Thrive Market lets you shop anywhere, any time. Instead of waiting for that brief opportunity during your busy day, you can get your grocery shopping done when it’s most convenient for you. Unlike most grocery chains, Thrive Market doesn’t keep strict business hours—that means all your favorite products are available 24/7. And if you have any questions or need extra assistance with your order, a member of the Thrive Market team is available to Live Chat at all times of the day.

03: Exclusive products

Beyond saving on top organic brands, one of the biggest perks of being a Thrive Market member is having exclusive access to over 300 premium Thrive brand products. Every product in the Thrive Market Collection is expertly crafted with high-quality ingredients that are not only better for you, but better for the planet. From pantry staples like olive oil, coffee, and almond butter to household goods like dish soap, laundry detergent, bath tissue, and even baby must-haves like diapers and wipes, every item is truly exceptional (and affordable!).

04: Member reviews

Ever wish you could look through your friends’ kitchen cupboards just to get a glimpse at their grocery must-haves? Our member reviews give you the same insider information so you can make informed buys and offer your own product feedback on all your go-to selections. The Thrive Market membership community isn’t shy about sharing likes and dislikes, making it a wonderful resource for finding top-rated items on your shopping list and discovering new products, too.

05: Save money grocery shopping (and time!)

Did you know that the average American spends over $7,000 just on food every year? Let’s face it: Grocery shopping is costly (not to mention a total time suck). Thrive Market’s mission to make healthy groceries affordable for everyone means that you are continuously saving on your annual grocery spend every time you shop. Not only do we offer top organic brands at wholesale prices (up to 50% off!), but members receive daily promotions and special deals so they can enjoy even more savings.

• Big savings: As a Thrive member, you can shop your favorite organic, non-GMO products at 25-50% off retail with each order. You can even track your overall savings in your membership account and rack up Thrive Cash as you shop so you can get the most out of your membership.
• Reduce car mileage: There’s nothing worse than sitting in traffic after a long day, especially if you have to hit the store on your way home. Give your wheels a rest and reduce mileage and carbon dioxide emissions by having your groceries delivered instead. Your car and the planet will thank you.
• Extra family time: According to the Time Use Institute, the average American spends about 43 minutes at the grocery store each week. Shopping for groceries online gives you more of your time back so you can spend it on important things like quality time with your family. Wouldn’t it be nice to spend a little extra time preparing a family meal together or lending a hand on that upcoming science project? As a Thrive member, time is on your side.

06: Never forget an item on your grocery list

Why is it that no matter how organized you are when you hit the store, you always seem to forget something on your shopping list? Hey, you’re not alone. That’s why we offer convenient autoship on the items you routinely reorder, making restocking office snacks, kid favorites, or household staples a breeze (and lessening your to-do list).

More ways to save on groceries

Even if you don’t shop 100% online, there are still ways to stay in budget and get the most for your money.

Think seasonal

Maximize your online buys and stretch those pantry staples by incorporating fresh and seasonal produce into your recipes. Not only will you save even more on your weekly meals by buying what’s in season (especially if you shop your local farmers’ market), but you’ll enjoy sumptuous, flavorful dishes, prepared with the highest quality ingredients.

Meal-plan

Planning your meals for the week not only eliminates yet another night of takeout, but it’s a huge money saver (and waste reducer). Thrive Market takes the guesswork out of meal prep by offering a variety of nutritious pantry staples for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s also a great resource for quick, delicious, budget-friendly recipes for you and your family to enjoy. Spending just a few minutes to load up your cart with meal-prep basics for the week ahead will go a long way to getting you out of your takeout rut.

Avoid grocery shopping impulse buys

Candy bar at the checkout? Six-pack of peppermint gum you didn’t know you needed? Supermarkets are impulse-buy land mines, and these last-minute purchases can add up fast. The beauty of online grocery shopping is that you’re no longer bombarded by unnecessary items. In fact, Thrive Market lets you filter products to find less of what you don’t need and more of what you do need so you can get through your list fast and avoid additional spending.