Decoding the Grocery Journey: From Store Aisles to Your Doorstep in Edmonton

Embarking on the essential task of procuring groceries takes us through a myriad of options, each influencing the journey from the store to our homes in Edmonton. As we navigate the diverse avenues available, from the hands-on approach of personally navigating supermarket aisles to the convenience of doorstep deliveries via services like Doordash and Instacart, it's imperative to understand the intricacies involved in each method. This breakdown not only provides insight into the distribution of responsibilities but also sheds light on the individuals who play pivotal roles in ensuring our grocery needs are met. Join me in exploring the nuances of this daily ritual, aiming to foster a collective understanding that appreciates the efforts behind the scenes and encourages a more informed, considerate approach to grocery shopping.

YOU DO IT
You drive to the store
You gather your groceries
You go through the checkout and pay for the groceries
You pack the groceries into your car
You drive home
You unload and bring groceries inside
You did 100% of this. Great job!

STORE PICK-UP
You order online
Store gathers your order
Store’s online system checks out your groceries
You drive to the store
Store loads the groceries
You drive home
You unload and bring groceries inside
You did 60% of this and the Store did 40%

STORE DELIVERY
You order online
Store gathers your groceries
Store’s online system checks out your groceries
Doordash drives to the store
Store loads the groceries
Doordash drives to your home
Doordash unloads and brings the groceries to your house
You bring groceries inside
You did 25%, the Store did 37% and your Doordash Delivery person did 38%

*Note: Save-on has their own delivery trucks so it is not Doordash

INSTACART PERSONAL SHOPPER
You order online
Instacart drives to the store
Instacart gathers your groceries
Instacart manually checks out and pays for your groceries
Instacart packs your groceries
Instacart loads your groceries into their vehicle
Instacart drives to your house
Instacart unloads and brings the groceries to your house
You did 12%, your Instacart shopper did 88%
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Here are some helpful pieces of advice:
Please be careful and make sure you are home when selecting that you want to meet the delivery person. They are not allowed to leave your order unattended if you select this, which is detrimental to any other orders they may be carrying.
If you live in a condo or apartment building, please give more details when it comes to accessing your building/unit other than your door code. Does your building have an elevator? Can the driver come right up to the door or do they need to park on the street and walk to get to the entrance? Having this information ahead of time will allow your Instacart shopper to know how to pack your order and will be prepared to deliver it. 

To sum it all up, navigating the world of grocery shopping in Edmonton offers a spectrum of choices, each with its own level of involvement. Whether you take charge of the entire process,  opt for the convenience of store pick-up/delivery, or a personal shopper like Instacart, the decision ultimately lies in your hands. However, it's crucial to acknowledge the efforts of those involved in bringing the groceries to your doorstep. This breakdown aims to shed light on the intricacies of the process, emphasizing the importance of fair compensation for the services provided. Let's all strive for a more informed and considerate approach, fostering a system that values the hard work of those who make our grocery journeys possible.