There is a widespread debate these days on whether online grocery shopping is actually more affordable than offline shopping at stores. This has come to the fore, particularly after the emergence of reliable grocery delivery and other online apps which offer swift and seamless delivery to your address. You can choose from food items and other necessities/groceries across multiple categories from the comfort of your home or anywhere else without any worries. What’s more, seamless delivery also helps you save time considerably on local store visits. It also helps when you have something to buy at the last minute or have forgotten anything.
This has naturally led many of us to embrace online shopping for groceries and other essentials. But does it really work out cheaper? Let’s do the math below.
Why Online Grocery Shopping Can Be More Affordable
There is no simple answer to the question. It requires more understanding of the actual dynamics when you compare prices across multiple delivery platforms and local stores in India. You should factor in all the costs to understand where the actual savings take place. Now, in this question, it is worth mentioning that several online delivery apps may be more affordable for planned or bulk purchases, often at rates that are 10-15% lower than the MRP (maximum retail price). Many platforms/apps are ideal for speed and are often more affordable than local Kirana stores for branded items.
However, sometimes they may be costlier due to the delivery fees and other charges. Local vendors or Kiranas may offer more value for fresh produce. A few quick-commerce platforms may have higher vegetable prices for the delivery convenience, while some may have lower fees at times. There may also be higher discounts on products and food items at these platforms, while items may have MRP pricing as well. Of course, you may have to account for platform handling costs and 10-15% surge pricing during the peak hours or for late night orders on these platforms. Yet, on the flipside, you don’t have to invest any time on these apps, while store visits require substantial time and energy investments. You also save on fuel or transportation costs if you order online, which has to be factored into the equation.
How the Actual Savings Happen
Online grocery shopping may work out more affordable than local stores when you make bulk or planned purchases which come with free deliveries. Add the fuel costs to the same and you end up saving a decent amount. Many branded items may also come with lower rates as a result. You may get bulk discounts for bigger orders, while Kirana stores may sometimes offer more value for lower purchases of 1-2 items on average. Gourmet products may be more affordable on delivery apps than offline stores.
In this context, you should choose a reliable app with transparent pricing mechanisms and convenient price comparison tools to make more informed decisions. The more you compare prices, the better you’ll understand where you should purchase products for better rates and deals.