Online grocery sales are way up — here’s how to get the most out of your order

As a result, chains including Walmart and Target have seen huge portions of their customers make the switch to online shopping.

Walmart’s online grocery sales brought in $900 million in March — twice as much as during the same period last year — and Target’s digital same-store sales were up a staggering 275% during April.

But while buying groceries online may seem like a safer alternative to shopping in-store, it’s not without its challenges — as many consumers have discovered over the past few months.

Delivery slots are becoming increasingly harder to come by, and many high-demand products are consistently sold out.

How to get the most out of online grocery ordering

If you’re one of the 40 million Americans who are buying groceries via the web during the pandemic, here are a few things you can do to get the most from your online ordering experience.

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1. Earn cash back

Make sure you pay with a cash-back account, so you can get a bit of money back every time you shop online. There are cash-back cards that allow you to earn up to 6% back on grocery purchases.

2. Check for delivery slots often

In many big cities, the increased volume of online orders has made finding an open delivery slot difficult. It’s a good idea to fill up your online cart even if no slots are available, then check back throughout the day to see if one has opened up. As soon as you see a slot, hit the checkout button immediately.

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3. Order late at night

You may have more luck placing your order later in the evening, so if you’re a night owl try to log on around midnight — when stores typically update their availability for the day.

4. Prioritize your order

Some delivery services allow you to prioritize the items in your order, so try to put high-demand items (like elusive toilet paper) at the top of your list. That way the person packing your groceries can snag them before someone else scoops them up.

5. Have a backup plan

It’s helpful to specify the substitutions you’ll accept if some of the items you want aren’t in stock. Certain delivery apps have a “use best judgment” option, so whoever’s doing your shopping can find you a suitable replacement if something on your list is sold out.

6. Try curbside pickup

If you have access to a car, you may want to consider ordering for curbside pickup instead of home delivery. Store pickup is just as safe as delivery and there are often more slots available.

7. Leave a tip

And don’t forget to leave a tip for the person putting together your order. Professional shoppers who see online orders come in from customers known to tip well may be inclined to grab those orders first. A standard tip ranges from 10% to 20%.