Online grocery shopping has become a popular choice around the UK, as technology offers new ways of supporting our lifestyles. For people without easy access to transport, or who cannot carry heavy shopping bags, ordering groceries online is particularly convenient.
However, we know that some older people might not be 100% confident using the internet and placing their first online shopping order. That’s why we’ve put together this simple guide. In this article, we’ll take you through the online grocery shopping process step-by-step. Let’s get started.
Who Will Deliver?
First of all, you’ll need to decide where you’d like to get your shopping from. Luckily, almost all of the major supermarkets now offer delivery. Here is a breakdown of some of the main supermarkets and the delivery services they offer:
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s offers delivery from just £1 when you spend £40 or more. You can choose a specific delivery slot with a one-hour window to suit you. They also offer eco time slots to cut down the carbon footprint on your delivery.
This supermarket also has a service called “Delivery Pass”. This is ideal if you intend to order groceries frequently, as it provides one free delivery slot per day. Unfortunately, Sainsbury’s are not currently accepting new Delivery Pass customers, but keep an eye open. They may quietly open it to customers again.
Tesco
Tesco offers a Delivery Saver Plan. You pay a base rate once a month, which entitles you to free home delivery on any orders over £40. If your order is under £40, they will charge £4.50 for delivery. They also offer a free one-month trial on their Delivery Saver Plan, which entitles you to free home delivery including same-day delivery for your first month.
Iceland
Iceland offers free next day delivery on any online orders over £40 with no subscription required.
Asda
Asda offers home delivery on orders of £40 or more. Delivery slots cost between £1 and £6.50 depending on the size of your order and the timeslot you choose. Asda also offer a Delivery Pass, providing one free delivery per day on orders over £40.
Morrisons
Morrisons offers home delivery on all shops over £40. The delivery fee will vary depending on your delivery address, the day and time of your chosen slot, and the value of your order. All delivery charges will be shown to you before you place your order so you know exactly how much you’ll be charged. If you will be using their service regularly, it may be worth investing in their delivery pass to help you save on delivery costs.
Waitrose
Waitrose offers free delivery on all orders over £40.
Is your supermarket missing from this list?
Don’t worry! This is not an exhaustive list. Almost all major supermarkets will offer delivery nowadays. Visit their website to find out what online shopping and delivery services they have available. To help you choose where to buy your groceries, check out our article on Best Value Groceries.
How To Order Groceries Online
Each supermarket’s website will vary slightly. However, below is a general guide on how to order groceries online.
1. Go to your chosen supermarket’s website.
2. If you haven’t already, register a new account with them using your email address. You’ll need to choose a secure password.
3. Find the ‘Groceries’ menu or equivalent on the home page – this is often presented as a drop-down menu.
4. Keep following the categories to find the item you wish to order e.g. Groceries > Fruit & Vegetables > Fresh Vegetables > Broccoli, Cauliflower & Cabbage. Alternatively, you can use your chosen supermarket’s search function.
5. Select the item you want to order and click ‘Add’ to add it to your basket. You can set the quantity (either by the number of packets or by quantity/weight with loose produce).
6. Once you’ve finished selecting all your groceries, click ‘Proceed to Check-Out’ or equivalent.
7. If you haven’t already, select your delivery time slot. You might be charged a little extra for a premium timeslot such as a weekend or evening.
8. Make your payment to purchase your groceries.
9. You’re done! Now it’s just a case of waiting for your food to arrive at your doorstep.
Ordering Through Apps
Several supermarkets are now sending orders through takeaway apps such as Just Eat and Deliveroo. This could be a great way to order the essentials you missed during your big shop – or buy yourself a tasty treat. Tesco also offer the “Whoosh” service, providing same-day delivery.
Extra Tips
Now that you know how to order groceries online for home delivery, here are a few extra tips to keep in mind.
Special Offers
Look out for special offers and discounts so you can make sure you’re not missing out on any great deals.
Dietary Needs
Your supermarket might allow you to create a dietary profile. This means you can specify your needs if you are a vegan or coeliac, for example. They will then automatically flag any products which may not be suitable for your diet.
Meal Inspirations
If you’re looking for inspiration, you might be able to order entire meal plans or recipe boxes. This takes the stress out of deciding what to buy and cook.
Rewards Schemes
If you regularly shop online with the same store, check if they have any rewards schemes. Many chains offer special rewards and offers, like Sainsbury’s Nectar Points or Tesco Clubcard, for their regular customers.
Careline365: Help When You Need It
In later life, it is natural to worry about our loved ones’ wellbeing. Thankfully, a Careline Alarm is a great way to find peace of mind. If you or a loved one have a fall at home, you can press your Careline button and speak to our Care Team, who will send help straight away.
For more information about the Careline alarm service, read our guide or call us on 0800 030 8777.
You can also order a Careline alarm online.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on 16th May 2024 to reflect current information.
Essential Plan
Basic pendant
- Not included, Automatic Fall Detection
- Included, 100 Metre Range
- Included, Wearable on Wrist or Neck
- Included, Waterproof
- Included, No Need to Charge
- Included, Easy to Activate
Plug-in Base Unit
- Included, 24/7 Monitoring Service
- Included, Lifetime Warranty
- Included, Plug-In, Easy Set Up
- Not included, No Phone Line Needed
- Not included, Our Fastest Connection Time
Plug-in Base Unit + Basic pendant
Basic pendant
- Not included, Automatic Fall Detection
- Included, 100 Metre Range
- Included, Wearable on Wrist or Neck
- Included, Waterproof
- Included, No Need to Charge
- Included, Easy to Activate
Plug-in Base Unit
- Included, 24/7 Monitoring Service
- Included, Lifetime Warranty
- Included, Plug-In, Easy Set Up
- Not included, No Phone Line Needed
- Not included, Our Fastest Connection Time
Rising to £22.67 per months after 3 months
Essential+Plan
Save £80 if paid annually
SmartTrigger Pendant
- Included, Automatic Fall Detection
- Included, 600 metre range
- Included, Wearable on Wrist or Neck
- Included, Waterproof
- Included, No Need to Charge
- Included, Easy to Activate
SmartLife Hub
- Included, 24/7 Monitoring Service
- Included, Lifetime Warranty
- Included, Plug-In, Easy Set Up
- Not included, No Phone Line Needed
- Included, Our Fastest Connection Time
Rapid Connect Hub + SmartTrigger Pendant
SmartTrigger Pendant
- Included, Automatic Fall Detection
- Included, 600 metre range
- Included, Wearable on Wrist or Neck
- Included, Waterproof
- Included, No Need to Charge
- Included, Easy to Activate
SmartLife Hub
- Included, 24/7 Monitoring Service
- Included, Lifetime Warranty
- Included, Plug-In, Easy Set Up
- Not included, No Phone Line Needed
- Included, Our Fastest Connection Time
Get 3 months free by paying annually
Complete Plan
RecommendedOur Safest AlarmSave £100 if paid annually
Fall Detector
- Included, Automatic Fall Detection
- Included, 300 Metre Range
- Included, Wearable on Wrist or Neck
- Included, Waterproof
- Included, No Need to Charge
- Included, Easy to Activate
SmartLife Hub
- Included, 24/7 Monitoring Service
- Included, Lifetime Warranty
- Included, Plug-In Anywhere, Easy Set Up
- Included, No Phone Line Needed
- Included, Our Fastest Connection Time
Recommended
Rapid Connect Hub + Fall Detector
Fall Detector
- Included, Automatic Fall Detection
- Included, 300 Metre Range
- Included, Wearable on Wrist or Neck
- Included, Waterproof
- Included, No Need to Charge
- Included, Easy to Activate
SmartLife Hub
- Included, 24/7 Monitoring Service
- Included, Lifetime Warranty
- Included, Plug-In Anywhere, Easy Set Up
- Included, No Phone Line Needed
- Included, Our Fastest Connection Time
Get 3 months free by paying annually
GPS Pendant Plan
Save £88 if paid annually
GPS Location Tracking + Inbuilt Speaker
- Included, Go Anywhere Alarm
- Included, GPS Alarm Pendant
- Included, GPS Location Tracking
- Included, Optional Fall Detection
- Included, Inbuilt Speaker
- Included, Charging Base Station
Get 3 months free by paying annually
GPS Pendant Plan
- Go Anywhere alarm
- GPS Alarm Pendant
- GPS Location Tracking
- Optional Fall Detection
- Inbuilt Speaker
- Charging Base Station
Get 3 months free by paying annually
Thank you this is an easy one to understand format. It answered all my questions.