|
|
|
|
Overview
It is nothing uncommon to buy or sell
candy, coffee or wine online. However, the idea of selling icecream or fresh fish online is not trivial.
Because these perishable items can not be shipped by mails. What is the solution? Local delivery.
So, after you buy them online, your order will be delivered to your home by a vehicle. This is
as if you routinely order a pizza. For us, the new thing here is really not about the Internet, it is about the
home delivery of grocery. Does the business make sense? Will anyone eventually make money from it? For shoppers, shopping grocery online
may save you some shopping time. This is how online grocers market their service. Most customers seem to be
happy. Your choice? If you buy specialty foods, you can buy them at any food e-tailer. If you buy banana,
first find out if there is an online grocery store serving your area.
| Who are the leaders? (We intend to be unbiased, but can anyone do it?) |
| E-tailer |
Highlights |
Shipping cost |
| Cooking.com |
Top online specialty
food and cookware seller. Rich contents on cooking such as recipes. Easy to browse with detailed product description.
Special: Free shipping (by 9/30). |
from $4.75. |
| Amazon.com Kitchen
|
The largest e-tailer also sells cookwares with large selection and
detailed product information including customer ratings. |
$2.99/order plus $0.99/lb. |
| Wine.com |
Top online wine seller with
profiles of the wineries, wine makers. Also sells specialty foods. Wine can be shipped to some states.
International shipments |
from $4.95. |
| Webvan.com |
Online grocer serving
San Francisco, Chicago and Atlanta. Superstore pricing and large selection. No tipping. |
Free home delivery over $50 order. |
| Peapod |
Online grocer
serving 8 cities from Boston to San Francisco. |
Home delivery from $4.95. |
| Homegrocer.com |
Online grocer serving Seattle, Portland, Los Angles, San Diego and Dallas. Merged with Webvan.
no tipping.
Special: new customer save $15 on $50 order and
free delivery.
|
Free home delivery on $75 order (otherwise $9.95). |
| NetGrocer.com |
Online
grocer serving nationwide with Fedex delivery. It does not sell perishable items. |
from $4.95. |
|
| |
