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Jun 06, 2023

Four grocery stores charging up to $9.99 for delivery

ONE in six Americans now get their groceries delivered, and most major

ONE in six Americans now get their groceries delivered, and most major supermarkets offer some type of delivery service.

However, stores such as Walmart, Target, and Whole Foods are charging fees of up to $9.99 on deliveries.

Let's look at each store and break down exactly how much they charge - and how you can avoid shelling out.

Since 2021, Walmart has been charging customers a flat fee of $7.95 for all online grocery orders.

For a family ordering deliveries twice a week, the charges could add up to $800 a year in fees.

However, frequent Walmart shoppers can avoid this fee with a Walmart + membership, which costs $12.95 a month.

As a Walmart+ member, you get free delivery on all orders with a minimum spend of $35.

Walmart is currently offering a 30-day free trial of its premium membership, which comes with a range of other benefits including member prices on fuel, a free Paramount+ essential plan, and special product offers.

Whole Foods is another supermarket that makes customers shell out for delivery, charging a flat fee of $9.95.

"The service fee helps cover operating costs, including equipment, technology and other costs associated with your grocery delivery order," says the supermarket on its website.

Unlike some of its competitors, Whole Foods does not have a membership program to help customers get free deliveries.

When checking out online, Whole Foods shoppers may be presented with "rush options" to get their order quicker, although these can result in an even higher fee.

For a same-day delivery from Kroger, there is a flat fee of $9.95.

To get an order in as little as 30 minutes, there is a $10 purchase minimum.

But shoppers who are in less of a rush can save money by opting for next-day delivery, known as the Blue Truck option, which costs $6.95.

Unlike other stores, Target does not have its own grocery delivery service and instead it fulfills orders using Shipt.

The charge for this service is $9.99, and there's a $35 order minimum.

However, with an annual Shipt membership ($99), customers can enjoy unlimited free deliveries.

You can also use your Shipt membership to get deliveries from other stores such as CVS, 7-Eleven, and Rite Aid.

Meanwhile, Aldi has introduced a new delivery service in collaboration with Instacart that can get you your groceries in as little as 30 minutes.

But when placing grocery orders at any store, bear in mind you may also be charged a bag fee, depending on your state.