As a self-proclaimed choosy shopper and retail industry expert, I know the ins and outs of what makes a grocery delivery service truly great. Meijer, the Midwest supermarket chain with over 240 stores across six states, has thrown its hat into the delivery ring with a full-service option for busy consumers. But with so many grocery delivery choices on the market, is Meijer worth your time and money? I put my knowledge to the test to bring you the ultimate guide to Meijer grocery delivery, from cost comparisons to pro tips for getting the most bang for your buck.
The State of Grocery Delivery in 2023
The U.S. online grocery market has absolutely exploded in recent years, with sales projected to reach $187.7 billion by 2024 (up from $95.8 billion in 2020), according to Business Insider Intelligence. The pandemic-driven shift to delivery has stuck around, with a recent Mercatus survey finding that nearly 60% of shoppers now buy groceries online at least occasionally.
Meijer has been an early adopter of grocery delivery, first partnering with Shipt for same-day service in 2016 before adding Instacart as a second delivery provider in 2018. Meijer President & CEO Rick Keyes said the goal was "to provide a convenient service when customers either don‘t have time to shop in-store or would rather have their groceries delivered right to their doorstep."
While Meijer doesn‘t publicly share exact delivery sales figures, it‘s fair to assume that delivery makes up a growing portion of the retailer‘s $16.6 billion in annual revenue. Industry analysts estimate that digital sales (including delivery, pickup and ship-to-home) account for anywhere from 3-10% of total sales for regional grocery chains like Meijer.
How Much Does Meijer Delivery Really Cost?
Let‘s get down to brass tacks: what does Meijer delivery cost, and how does it stack up to the competition? The answer is a bit nuanced, as Meijer partners with both Shipt and Instacart for delivery, and each service has its own pricing structure.
Meijer Delivery Pricing Breakdown
| Order Subtotal | Delivery Fee |
|---|---|
| $35+ | $7.95 |
| Under $35 | $9.95 |
| 1-hour delivery | +$5 fee |
| Outside normal hours (before 8am or after 10pm) | +$2 fee |
As you can see, Meijer charges a flat $7.95 delivery fee for most orders over $35, or $9.95 for smaller orders. If you need your groceries in a hurry, you can select a 1-hour delivery window for an extra $5. And night owls will pay a $2 surcharge for late-night or early morning deliveries outside of standard hours.
One important callout is that these fees are on top of any markups on individual product prices for delivery. Meijer‘s website notes that "item pricing for delivery may vary from in-store prices," which is a fairly standard practice for grocery delivery. Instacart states that retailers set their own prices, with most charging an average of 15% more for delivered items than in-store.
So how does Meijer compare to other major grocery delivery providers? Here‘s a quick cost comparison chart:
| Retailer/Service | Delivery Fee | Membership Cost | Price Markup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meijer (Shipt) | $7 for members, $10 for non-members | $99/year or $14/month | 15% |
| Meijer (Instacart) | $3.99-$7.99 based on order total | $99/year or $9.99/month | 15% |
| Walmart | $7.95-$9.95 | $98/year or $12.95/month | Varies |
| Target (Shipt) | $9.99 for non-members | $99/year | Varies |
| Amazon Fresh | Free for Prime members | $139/year or $14.99/month | 0-10% |
| Kroger | $9.95-$11.95 | $59/year or $9.99/month | $5 and up |
As you can see, Meijer‘s delivery fees are fairly in line with competitors, and actually a bit cheaper than Walmart and Target‘s non-member pricing. Of course, the total cost of your delivered groceries will depend on a variety of factors, like order size, specific product prices, promotions, and more.
Tips for Getting the Best Quality Meijer Delivery
One common concern about grocery delivery is quality control, especially when it comes to picking fresh produce, meat and dairy items. As a choosy shopper myself, I totally get the hesitation to leave this task up to a stranger. However, in my experience with Meijer delivery over the past few years, I‘ve been consistently impressed with the quality and freshness of my orders.
Meijer has a few policies and practices in place to ensure top-notch delivery quality:
- All personal shoppers complete a training program on how to select the best produce, meat, seafood, deli and dairy items
- Shoppers use insulated cooler bags to keep cold and frozen items at a safe temperature during delivery
- Meijer offers a "Freshness Guarantee" and will refund or replace any items that don‘t meet your standards
That said, there are a few things you can do as a customer to help ensure you get the best possible Meijer delivery experience:
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Be specific in your product descriptions. When ordering produce or meat, use the "notes" field to give your shopper detailed instructions on ripeness, size, thickness, etc. For example, "Please pick 4 yellow bananas with a hint of green; no brown spots."
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Choose good substitutes. If Meijer is out of a particular item, your shopper will contact you about a substitution. Pre-selecting a backup choice or leaving notes like "sub with any other brand of chunky salsa" can save time and ensure you‘re happy with the replacement.
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Check your order ASAP. As soon as you receive your delivery, take a quick look through the bags to make sure everything looks good. If you spot any issues, snap a photo and contact customer service right away for a speedy resolution.
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Rate your shopper. After delivery, you can leave a star rating and optional feedback for your personal shopper through the Meijer app or website. Giving praise or constructive criticism helps improve the quality of shoppers over time.
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Try delivery again. If you have a less-than-stellar experience with Meijer delivery, don‘t write it off completely. Mistakes can happen, but Meijer is committed to making it right. In my years as a loyal Meijer delivery customer, I‘ve found that the vast majority of orders are accurate, fresh and high-quality.
What do other Meijer delivery customers have to say? Here are a few reviews from Consumer Affairs:
"I‘ve been using Meijer home delivery for about six months now and have never had any issues. The produce is always fresh, meat is well within expiration date, and any substitutions have been spot on. Highly recommend for the convenience factor!" – Caitlin, March 2022
"Meijer delivery has been a lifesaver for our large family. It‘s so much easier than dragging all the kids to the grocery store. The prices are a bit higher than shopping in-person, but I feel it‘s worth it for the time and hassle saved." – John, February 2022
"I was hesitant to try grocery delivery, but Meijer made it a breeze. My shopper followed all of my notes and preferences to a T. Everything arrived fresh and well-packed. Will definitely use this service again!" – Shelly, January 2022
Of course, no service is perfect, and there are a handful of complaints about missing items, expired products, or poor substitutions. However, the general consensus is that Meijer offers a reliable, high-quality delivery experience for the price.
Unique Meijer Delivery Offerings
In addition to the standard grocery fare, Meijer delivery has a few unique offerings that set it apart from other services. A few highlights:
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Alcohol delivery: Meijer can deliver beer, wine and liquor to customers in select markets, making it easy to stock up for parties or game day. Shipt estimates that Meijer is the only major retailer offering alcohol delivery in Michigan.
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Shop & Scan: Meijer‘s Shop & Scan service lets you use your phone to scan and bag items while you shop in-store, then pay and go. You can also link your Shop & Scan account to Shipt for delivery, so your shopper can use your personal scan data to find your favorite products more easily.
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Rx delivery: In 2020, Meijer began offering free prescription delivery from all of its pharmacies, a service that has proven popular with seniors and busy parents. You can even add OTC medications, vitamins and personal care items to your Rx delivery order.
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Gift orders: Meijer makes it easy to send groceries and essentials to loved ones with a "Send as Gift" option at checkout. Simply enter the recipient‘s address, add a gift message, and pay for the order as usual. It‘s a thoughtful way to send a care package or lend a hand from afar.
The Future of Meijer Delivery
As online grocery continues to boom, it‘s clear that Meijer is committed to growing and improving its delivery services. In a 2022 interview, Meijer President & CEO Rick Keyes said the company plans to "continue to invest in our digital capabilities" and "make the customer experience as seamless and convenient as possible across all channels."
Some potential areas for expansion and innovation include:
- Faster delivery times (e.g. 30-minute or on-demand options)
- Wider delivery area coverage
- More personalized product recommendations and promotions
- Increased use of technology like AI and machine learning to improve order accuracy and efficiency
- Sustainable delivery options, like electric vehicles or bike couriers
- Partnerships with local farmers and producers for hyperlocal assortment
It will also be interesting to see if Meijer expands its own in-house delivery fleet to rely less on third-party services like Shipt and Instacart. While these partnerships have allowed Meijer to scale quickly, taking more control of the delivery experience could help improve margins and customer loyalty in the long run.
Whatever the future holds, it‘s safe to say that grocery delivery is here to stay – and Meijer is poised to be a major player in the space for years to come. As a satisfied Meijer delivery customer myself, I‘m excited to see how the service continues to evolve and meet the changing needs of shoppers.
The Bottom Line
So, is Meijer grocery delivery worth it? As a retail expert and self-proclaimed choosy shopper, my answer is a resounding yes. While the cost of delivery may be a barrier for some, I believe the convenience, reliability and quality of Meijer‘s service justifies the price tag for many busy consumers.
Here are a few key takeaways from my analysis:
- Meijer offers competitive delivery pricing, with fees starting at $7.95 for most orders
- Shoppers can expect a 15% markup on delivered items compared to in-store prices
- Meijer has a strong track record of customer satisfaction with delivery quality and freshness
- Unique offerings like alcohol delivery and Shop & Scan set Meijer apart
- Meijer is well-positioned for growth in the rapidly expanding online grocery market
Of course, every shopper has different needs, preferences and budgets. If you‘re on the fence about Meijer delivery, I recommend giving it a try for yourself and seeing how it fits into your lifestyle. With a bit of savvy shopping and careful planning, Meijer delivery can be a time-saving, stress-reducing solution for keeping your kitchen stocked without breaking the bank.
