Kroger Grocery Delivery
What the service is:
Midwesterners know and love Kroger as their Grocery store of choice. But until recently, there was no way for those in Florida to experience this innovative grocery chain. Our only option to have your groceries delivered was to use Instacart for shopping at Winn-Dixie, Publix, and Aldi.
While we might not have any actual stores here, we have been blessed by Kroger recently launching its home delivery service. They currently serve customers in South Florida with the opening of a new spoke location in Miami. The high-tech 60,000-square-foot spoke facility, in collaboration with the Fulfillment Center in Groveland, FL, will serve as a last-mile cross-dock location that efficiently expands Kroger Delivery’s ability to serve more customers.
I decided to try it when I received notice that the service was now available. The cool thing is that right now, they have been giving $15 off your first three orders as long as you clip the coupon. But that is not the only reason I decided to try the service.
Key Features:
With the Kroger grocery delivery service, you pay the same prices as if you were shopping at the store. I have to say that I love this part the most since I saved myself over $200 the first time I ordered. And this past week, I ordered 82 items and paid only $256 and change. That same order from Publix using Instacart would be about $400+. Not only are the prices the same as if you were shopping in the actual store, but you can also use coupons. Kroger offers digital coupons each week that you clip into your digital shopping list and apply when you check out. I saved about $25 this week from the coupons alone.
Another thing I have not seen from any other grocery retailers is that each week there are what is called “Free Bees.” There is a selection of a couple of items you clip a special coupon for, and then they are free to you. Thanks to these free items, I could try a new dip for veggies and chips and a hand soap. There is a minimum order amount to qualify, though, which makes sense.
Selection:
So when it comes to selection, you may not have some of the favorites you are used to getting at other stores. This is just like any other grocery store. Some chains carry particular brands, but many of the most popular ones are available here. You might even find some new ones you prefer over your old favorites.
Home Chef is one of the positive additions you will find at Kroger. They are meal kits that you can cook at home without figuring out what you want to pair with them. The selection improves weekly, but the kits are very popular, so they sell out fast. I am still learning when the shipments arrive to restock things so I can try a few more.
My only complaint is that the selection is very limited when it comes to deli meats and cheeses. And unfortunately, they do not have Boar’s Head or Diets & Watson. The majority are their own brands or Butterball. The other complaint is that you can not decide to order smaller amounts. They only sell their deli meats and cheeses in 1lb increments. So if you want less, or just a bit more, you will probably end up having some go to waste. The other thing I would like is to be able to determine how it is sliced (thin, thick, sandwich style) or maybe even shaved, but those options are missing.
Delivery:
Delivery can be as soon as the same day, depending on when you place your order. I typically will order the day before for delivery the next day. You can also choose times up to 7 days out if you want to plan ahead. So far, the times given start at 2 pm-3 pm as the first window, and they give you a 1-hour timeframe.
Depending on where you live, you will be charged a small fee of $9.95 – $11.95 per delivery, which is exceptionally cheap compared to many other grocery delivery services. And for those who like to pay an annual subscription and might use the service at least once a month, a new program is being rolled out called Boost. Depending on your location, it will be $59 or $99 per year and gives free grocery delivery on orders over $35.
If you are like me and lead a busy life, I highly recommend the Kroger Grocery Delivery service!
