We have King Soopers near us which is the Western name for Kroger. At the beginning of the pandemic, their online shopping was problematic but since then they've really perfected it. I usually do the drive-up option.

Dee, that may be why ordering from a distribution center will work better??? I need to learn more about jobs lost or created before I fully commit.

I buy a lot more from Amazon than I used to; various flours, extracts, crackers, seeds, vinegars, oils, ...

Probably other stuff I can't think of foodwise

The PNW's Fred Meyer was bought out by Kroger several years ago. Over the years I shopped there for a few items, mainly local artisan bread that they carry and for Boar's Head in their deli. I never filled up a grocery cart there. I've been using their grocery pick-up since April 2020. It's free with a $35 order. I like a lot of their store brands better than national brands. Some of the prices are really good, but some are just as expensive as our local high-end organic grocer. I've received substitutions that cost several dollars more than the item I ordered, which balances out for the times I got stuff I'm not satisfied with that's not worth going inside the store to return. The shoppers do a mediocre job of picking out produce, and I never liked their produce anyway, so I'm glad it's farmers market and farm stand season. All in all it's been a positive experience.

We are in Ft Myers, FL. I would LOVE for a Kroger to come to our area!

We order pantry items, cleaning products and paper goods. If it’s meat, produce, refrigerated, or frozen I’m picking it out.

We have a Ralphs that is a Kroger store here. I have ordered online for pick-up several times and have been very pleased with my orders. They done much better in getting my orders together than InstaCart. That said I have not ordered meat other than bacon and very little produce, as I prefer to chose myself.

Once when they did not have the large size of half and half they substitited two smaller cartons that equalled the same volume when added together. This option would have been more expensive than my requested carton, but they only charged me for the less expensive larger size. There have been very few substitutions on my orders.

I agree the pricing on some things can be higher, but the prices on the things I buy most often are competitive.

I have started using Whole Foods grocery delivery with Prime membership during the pandemic. It was a god-send when my husband had COVID and we were quarantined. And to be honest, I still use it some days when I just cannot deal with going to the grocery store but I need fresh food. It's free (plus optional tip which I always include) with $50 purchase, which is pretty easy with Whole Foods. Most of the time the produce selected is good and I'm picky. Every now and then they select poorly and I'm disappointed. Our state does not allow any alcohol deliveries. While I won't always do delivery, I do appreciate the option for sure.

We have a Kroger in my town and i won’t walk into it. The store is vast and devotes the prime real estate (widest center aisle) to absolute junk—tacky plastic cups and plates, plastic woven baskets, ”seasonal decor” items , etc. The management did not / does not enforce masking by their employees and the store is filthy. Produce in particular is tired and poor quality and the male employees are troglodytes who do not seem to know, for example, what ”apple cider” is, insisting that children’s apple juice boxes are exactly the same thing….or asking “what is dip?” and then claiming the store has never carried any item remotely resembling the requested one.

The Kroger in Florida may be several cuts above this in their effort to compete with Publix, but I’d be very surprised if that lasts.

We have had groceries delivered all through the pandemic through Instacart, whose shoppers communicate often and precisely with closeup photos where needed of cuts of meat or other items. For me it is a good substitute for our housekeeper who used to do most of the shopping. I always have a list when i shop bc i plan meals before I go. OTOH, have a friend who basically goes to the store and hopes to be inspired by what she sees, but who rarely comes home with the makings of more than one or two meals. As to the future of grocery shopping, probsbly not feasible for such as my friend, although she and many like her would probably benefit enormously, both in organization and savings, from grocery delivery that as it forces one to plan ahead.

I'm rural so grocery shopping without going into the store used to be limited so I used to use curbside 35 miles away which I would pick up on my way home from work. I love doing this and very rarely in the 3 years I've been using it have I gotten something I didn't approve of in produce, meats, etc. A phone call has taken care of it and due to the distance just a credit. However with the pandemic my local HEB started curbside so now I don't have to go far at all. Only once was there an issue. I was missing something. I called and they found it in their fridge with another order and offered to drop it off for me. It is only a 10 minute drive so I went and picked it up.

I love grocery shopping now. It is the one thing I've never liked and shopping online is so much better. I get stressed and want out of the grocery store as quick as possible when I'm there so online is perfect for me. I don't mind driving to pick it up, but delivery would be even better. I just finished placing my order and I'll be picking it up in a couple of hours. So convenient too with just adding items to my cart during the week as I remember I need something - no list needed anymore. Everyone in the family has access too, but I review in case the kid decided to add something we don't want to buy.

Kroger has one actual store in Florida, near Jacksonville. The Kroger distribution center with delivery is new. Will it replace grocery stores? I doubt it. But its a handy option.

I hate grocery shopping! Even so, before Covid, I never did grocery pick-up. Now I find I am spoiled with someone shopping for me and love it! We have a butcher at the store we use and I can pretty specifically order meat, but I have been going ever-so-often to buy meat. I always get a specific ground beef and I have been quite happy with ordering that on-line and also things like sausage, etc. There are only three shoppers at this store - all female and they do a great job. I've only had a couple of issues - once getting a green pepper instead of red, and the other time something was left off the order. I don't get alot of produce this way because we have a small produce market where I buy the bulk of our produce. Because of the day I usually shop, I most always get the same shopper and she knows what I buy! She's even asked how I like a few items LOL. She will text me if she has a question or they are out of something. It has been great! I find too that I have actually spent less because I stick to my list and am not throwing random things into my cart.

@User I'm another who does not like Kroger. I do have a Kroger near me, but I do not shop there. I do have a Whole Foods (I don't shop there) and Trader Joe's within 30-45 minutes from me and if I am in the area, I stop at Trader Joes. Love it!

We don't have Fred Meyer/Kroger here, but I shop there when picking up a few things for my mothers assisted apartment in her city. Familiar packaging is important to her. I do buy a little for us when there. Often their corn bread that I wrap for the oven and freeze, sometimes dairy, soft drinks. I've been disappointed in their produce although I do like their store brand frozen steam in bag vegetables. While there is a lot of it (fresh produce) and displayed in a way that's pretty, it doesn't keep. I bought asparagus that looked nice (crisp, firm) on Tuesday, trimmed the ends and put it standing in clean in water like always. 48 hours when I was ready to roast it, about one of every three spears throughout the bunch felt soft including the tips. I didn't cook it, DH is super choosy about his fruits and vegetables. (and we do travel with a cooler, blue ice, my purchases are not getting warm before we arrive back home)

I'll stop at Chuck's Produce first now when in that city. Something like a working man's whole foods, but wonderful produce. Somewhat small meat selection but high end things and some carrying the Snake River Farms label. Yum.

While we were treated very well and the stores were well stocked and organized during the height of the pandemic last year, quite clean, carts and checkout areas sanitized at Freds, hate to say I find the stores maybe a step down from the Northwest Fresh and Top Foods that I will swing into on my Costco days (50 miles so not weekly)

Maddie, is the first time you've ordered groceries online? We've been doing it since Covid began and there is no way I'll ever go back to the old way.

Because we live in the country and have cats and dogs, we stock up. When we need items like milk we go inside a small store to get it.

The fresh veggies and fruits are outstanding! Meat and cold items are never close to the experation date.

Their bakery is top notch.

No longer do I have the stamina to walk the aisles for $400-500 worth of food and take it to the car. It's especially nice when buying a 50lb bag of dry dog food. lol

Was that the first time you did online ordering, maddielee? I've been using Instacart, Target's & Walmart's apps since the start of lockdowns and I really appreciate it too - & for the same reasons you listed.

I order meats and produce all the time & rarely have a problem, but if anything is in bad shape, the stores simply refund it without a fuss.

“Was that the first time you did online ordering, maddielee?”

No, Since the pandemic I’ve ordered from Publix, using instacart. Delivery has been faster with Kroger. Plus they seem to have the exact products I want. I’ve Had a few problems with oders from Publix not being complete.

I’m mostly curious to know if others think that other chains will start the same business plan for home delivery. No stores, straight from a central warehouse.

We have 2 Publix stores within 2 miles of us (both at our primary house as well as our lake house). Our smaller ’in town’ Publix still has curb side pickup but no longer fulfills the Instacart orders. Those have been moved to the bigger Publix.

Like Tina Marie, we hate grocery shopping and have done curbside since well before the pandemic. We have Harris Teeter which is a Kroger company. We had a fee but now it is free if your order is over $100, which ours always are because we have Boar’s Head turkey for DH’s lunches which is nearly $15 by itselt.

We rarely have an issue with our order. They have store employees who work the online orders. Although last week we got 2 bags of someone else’s order that I had to take back. Generally we get good selection of items and they call us for anything that is out and needs substituion. I just placed an order now for pickup at 12:30 p.m. I remember during the lockdown at points we had to order 5-7 days in advance.

I’ve used Publix, too, because I really like their crab cakes, so I will order some other specific things I like from them. But they are less convenient in location because the closest store doesn’t have curbside for some reason.

Now when I was visiting my family we went to Wegmans, which, of course, is the nirvana of supermarkets. They have charcuterie, LOL, and we got some poke bowls. There is a Wegmans in the Raleigh area but nothing here (yet).

There is something the opened here which is just a warehouse that will deliver to your house. But I can’t remember the name of the business.

@LynnNM wrote ”I love to touch the foods,”

I know doesn’t apply to you, Lynn. But…..

That’s one of the things I dislike about grocery shopping. Who, and how many, have touched the fresh food before me? Nothing worse then grabbing a peach and seeing that someone’s fingernail has pierced it.

Like LynnNM, I enjoy grocery shopping. Especially at my local 4-store chain, but I will venture into other stores, too. I do not like huge grocery stores, I find them overwhelming. My local store has always had delivery. Started with phone ordering, then added online ordering. My folks always stuck with the phone ordering, because they could ask questions, or the person could tell them something the online couldn’t. They had one person who did all the picking, and she was so sweet. She knew exactly what size and ripeness of bananas they wanted, picked out the nicest teriyaki salmon from the deli case, and let them know about new products and would add a package to the cart to try out. Over time, the delivery guy would deliver, then bring it inside the door and put it on mom’s roller cart, then carry it to the kitchen, unpack, and eventually he was putting a lot of it away for them. So kind. Tipped, of course. Delivery fee was $10. Not bad.

I love the personal touch. Also, I like getting out of the house. I like running into people I know at the store. I like seeing what’s going on around town.

Of course, I have the luxury of doing this! If I had 5 little kids, or mobility problems, or car troubles, or etc, I would definitely call on delivery! When I was a little kid, our local pharmacy delivered, a godsend when two of us had the mumps or measels.

I wouldnt say I love grocery shopping but I dont mind it and I prefer to pick out my own stuff. I‘ve done my own shopping throughout Covid - I liked getting out of the house for something. We had a local grocery delivery business probably 25-30 years ago - ahead of its time. I used it a few times when I was busy working/traveling. It was a great service but I just didnt get into it then either. I guess the good news for me is that if more people get warehouse delivery the stores will be less crowded for me.

2katz, was that PeaPod? DH’s grandma used to use that in the Chicago suburbs. She was quite computer savvy, and they loved to drop off at the ”Elvis Lady” because she had an Elvis on velvet in her front entryway. 🤣

It took a little time to set up the online account but all your foods are stored, so it’s super easy to just click on favorites or past purchases. We probably repeat buy 80% of our order every week.

I like to do my grocery shopping myself also, but I have used delivery service for times I am not particular of certain meats, etc. But, I'm finding lately, I almost never get my whole order, and have to go to the store anyway, so what's the point?

Not that long ago I was at a grocery store and I went in there to buy asparagus, and there was a couple with a young man who must have picked up 20 heads of asparagus and tossed them in the air and put them all back and everybody was all jocular and happy and making a joke about asparagus and I was so grossed out and angry.

I’m mostly curious to know if others think that other chains will start the same business plan for home delivery. No stores, straight from a central warehouse.

I'm not aware of any warehouse deliveries here; only from individual stores. But who knows what the future will bring? I could be perfectly happy with doing the bulk of my shopping that way and visiting a meat shop and produce market for things I want to personally pick out.

I have never liked grocery shopping. I do not know why exactly but I dread it more than anything else. In Texas we have a wondeful supermarket called HEB. It is very popular. Ntot sure if it is in any other states.

They have a Shipt option. You pay an annual fee and you order and someone brings it to your door. You do tip them.

I am sure I am spending too much for this service but, I can not bring myself to go the grocery so, I think it saves me money on buying overpriced foods in small shops and ordering or picking up takeout.

I just got an order today. I placed it at 8:30 and received it within 2 hours. I love it!

I love all the time I've saved! No more driving to the store, wandering around looking for stuff , sometimes only to find an empty slot on the shelf, then standing in line at checkout. That used to take hours of time every week. I can build my cart throughout the week and it shows me when something is out of stock. I can add things late at night after store hours - or any time I think of it. Driving to and from the stores for pickup takes about 20 minutes, tops.

I rarely order from Publix anymore tho they are on Instacart here. I find better prices elsewhere and they don't have many of the things I buy anyway. There are a number of things Publix offers that nobody else does, but hubby likes to shop in their closest store several times a week, and will pick up the 1 or 2 things I request.

Instacart has a 99.00 annual membership for ”free” delivery. They still charge what comes out to about a dollar for some fee but that’s it. I joined it when the shut down first started and have been relatively happy with it. It offered Kroger, Meijer, Sam’s Costco, Petco and several other stores at the time. They keep adding stores to the list and now it includes Aldi, GFS, Target, Walgreens. I’ve have orders fill as quickly as 45 minutes from when I submit to when it’s sitting on my porch. I like having the service available and with the way things are looking presently, I’ll probably renew the subscription. When you order from the Costco or Kroger sites, they are utilizing the Instacart program. One thing to keep in mind is pricing can vary. For example, order via Instacart directly and Kroger does not honor any sales prices but you save 10.00 in delivery fees. Costco honors their discounts but the pricing of products is higher.

I still miss going into the stores. I don’t have to buy anything but I love to browse..

Amy, I didn't know HEB works with Shipt. They have been advertising delivery with FLAVOR -- especially for flowers and beer and wine. My son joined Shipt when the pandemic started to get delivery from Target. He couldn't get a pickup or delivery with a grocery store -- there were no openings even with multiple tries. One of his deliveries got sent to our house -- 1700 miles away, but they apologized and delivered to him same day. We have been using HEB's curbside for the most part. I know my SIL used it before the pandemic and loved it -- she doesn't like shopping either, but DH and I do. We like picking out produce and meat -- getting inspired by what is fresh or appeals at the moment, so I wonder if we will someday return to fully shopping in person. Not now, that's for sure!

My only experience with Instacart was with Costco last year, and it was terrible. And their shoppers were the rudest people I have encountered in the stores. I realize it was a rough time, but it was so bad I cannot imagine trying them again -- at least not in this area.

Interesting that you got everything you needed at Kroger. We used to shop almost entirely at Kroger, but they keep dropping products I want. We have recently found they have 2 or 3 items we cannot get at HEB. I think the biggest change in our shopping is more trying to plan ahead and stay one step ahead -- less spontaneity in what and when we cook.

Pre-vision issues, I could spend a lot of time at the grocery store.. I used to meet up with a friend who was also very busy and we'd grab a cup of coffee and shop together. When solo, I could happily wander the aisles looking for new items and selecting produce, meat etc.

Just as background, I've been using primarily instacart for 4 yr-- as I can no longer shop in the traditional grocery stores (Ive talked about this ad nauseum so I won't go into the details here again). I can manage the Farmer's Market when it isn't busy-- and I hope to be able to manage Trader Joe's when it opens here in a few months. When i do go shopping, i need to take uber or piggyback on a sister or friend.

Because of the increase in subscribers during the pandemic, I have seen pretty big improvements in the service. Of course there were supply/stocking issues in the stores-- but the service itself HAD to improve given the volume. I now get instantaneous credits for issues reported-- literally within seconds. No questions asked. Also, they have been providing me with coupons/perks pretty regularly. I just had $24 added to my account today "as a way to say thanks". Sure, I have had issues along the way-- including one recently where the driver dropped my order off at the wrong house! Even still, instacart has addressed the issues immediately and satisfactorily. Overall, the convenience has outweighed the inconvenience-- and even if it didn't, it is a service I depend on. Especially now that they include stores like Best Buy, Staples, Dicks Sporting Goods, Sephora and more. In the last month, I bought headphones for a gift and had a mouse delivered in 2 hr when my own mouse shorted out.

I have tried other services, Shipt doesn't keep their store stock current which really annoys me. Walmart is substantially cheaper but not as reliable and there is no communication with the shopper as they are picking my order, RiteAid pharmacy delivery is frequently late-- but they have bent over backwards when I needed a prescription ASAP for a debilitating sinus infection.

I used Amazon Fresh ages ago when they first started-- it worked pretty well for me and I appreciated getting WF items (we don't have a WF nearby) == unfortunately, they stopped the service in my area. I haven't used Peapod but both Amazon and Peapod work via the warehouse model vs brick and mortar. We do have a Giant food store-- but even so, Peapod delivers from warehouse stock, not brick and mortar stock.

I don't expect these services to go away post-pandemic. Even friends and family who were resistant to the concept of grocery delivery are converts-- even if they don't use the services consistently. It is a huge convenience -- even with losing the freedom to browse and select your own produce, meat, etc.

Kwsl 2, I'm sorry your Kroger store is so bad. I've been going to Kroger stores since I was a little tyke going with my Mom, and I've never seen one like that. I wonder if it's a management issue ? Thankfully, our Kroger Marketplace isn't like that, or I wouldn't go there either.. It doesn't have a center aisle filled with junk, or even have a center aisle at all. There's no plastic junk, either ( who buys that stuff? ) Our store is clean and surprisingly neat, compared to some other stores in the area. Many of their items are overpriced, produce isn't as good as it used to be, and the store is PACKED with people, which is why I don't shop in person anymore. (Went in after more than a year and it was still packed, even with Covid !) I order online, my son picks it up, and even though I live several miles away, my ice cream, etc. is still frozen hard even with the 90+ degree temps.

This reminds me of Little Red Riding Hood's grandmother ordering groceries on the phone in this cartoon:

Here's a link to a clearer video of the same cartoon. This is not on Youtube, however.

I like that she was able to get a case of gin delivered!

@gsciencechick - I dont remember what the service was originally called but it was purchased by a local grocery chain called Coborns and became Coborns delivers long before any other grocers delivered. We don’t have HEB but I wish we did after shopping in a couple stores when we visited our friends in TX. I shopped at a Kroger Marketplace in Knoxville on this trip and it was also quite nice. It was in an upscale area so maybe that makes a difference. We also dont have Kroger in MN. Other than Aldi and Trader Joe’s our grocery stores all seem to be local/regional.

Everything old is new again - indeed!

And Lars' video made me think of this one - classic Sesame Street -

Ten tiny turtles on the telephone, talkin' to their grocery men...

It is great you had a good experience with the Krogers. We tried it once (in FL too) and it was terrible. We have not been here that long but so far publix seems the best for grocery delivery and whole foods seems OK. where we used to live whole foods was the best. Produce is just different in FL than it was up north.

Bumblebeez, one day I was having dinner guests and wanted green beans. I stopped at the big chain grocery store near work, and the beans didn’t look good to me. I went to the next closest chain, the beans didn’t look good. I stopped by a store I never go to, because it was near the last one, and the beans didn’t look good.

Finally I went to the local grocer, last on my route and closest to my home, and there were no beans, but a sign: ”the beans at market didn’t look good today, so we didn’t buy any, Sorry for the inconvenience.”

I love that store. It’s been 30years since then. I’m sure produce market buying has changed, and we’ve lost some of those stores and gained others including Whole Foods, but I still mainly shop at that store that DIDN’T have the green beans.

@lascatx Yes! I wonder if HEB in your area is on Shipt. I have also used Shipt for Target.

To increase awareness and tolerance here is a selection of posts about hiring at Kroger. I first learned of this when my one son was in high school , he's 45 now. He was told he didn't qualify due to not having a special need. https://www.google.com/search?q=kroger+hires+people+with+special+needs&sxsrf=ALeKk00kqoUb6IX_9uxT3lO_DLAuEjwnyA%3A1629035851384&ei=Sx0ZYdLiFpDJtQa2vKvICw&oq=kroger+hires+people+with+special+needs&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAM6BwgAEEcQsAM6BggAEBYQHjoFCAAQhgNKBAhBGABQ6mVYsZIBYKCVAWgAcAF4AIABvgGIAYYPkgEEMjYuMZgBAKABAcgBAsABAQ&sclient=gws-wiz&ved=0ahUKEwiStP25l7PyAhWQZM0KHTbeCrkQ4dUDCA4&uact=5