Click Here to Fill your Fridge

By Aleksandra Hernandez

I have to admit that I am a Neanderthal when it comes to the digital world. But I am proud to say that I finally bought groceries online through Grocery Gateway. And not only did I save time, it was a great experience.

Before Grocery Gateway, I liked to read labels and get a feel for the size and texture of my choices. Given that appearance, smell, and touch are impossible to convey online, I wasn’t sure I could trust a stranger to pick my fruits and vegetables.

I changed my mind, however, after doing the math. Going to a grocery store is time-consuming and the low delivery charge of $9.95 more than makes up for the time it takes to shop. I bought my groceries without having to budge from my desk and my order was delivered to my doorstep the next morning, within the scheduled one and a half hour window. Talk about saving time and money!

While I shared my amazing e-shopping experience with our publisher, Sarah Thomson, she mentioned that she also likes to use Grocery Gateway because even though she has a caregiver who could do the shopping, this allows her to control what her kids eat. She can choose from the vast array of healthy selections that Grocery Gateway offers.

Evidently, Sarah knows how to use her time wisely; and apparently, so too do Britons, whose online market is more diversified and developed than the North American market. A survey completed by market analysts Mintel found that online grocery shopping has grown by 134% since 2005 (or 35% of Britons), and estimates that it will reach £4.4 billion by the end of this year.

According to MyVoucherCodes, online grocery sales in the UK were also higher last year than gadget-related sales. The managing director of MyVoucherCodes was “amazed at the fact that supermarket sales are now beating PCs and TVs when it comes to online shopping.” He adds: “This is surely down to the fact that people are looking to find the best bargains to get them through everyday life in these tough economic times.”

When compared to Britain, North America seems to be lagging behind. According to Forrester Research, in 2006 in the US only 10% of active web shoppers were purchasing their groceries online.

First launched in 1998, Grocery Gateway became part of the Longo’s family in 2004. Since then, Grocery Gateway has continued to offer an amazing e-shopping experience to consumers in Southern Ontario, including unique services such as personal shoppers, convenient delivery, prepared meals, and a feature that allows me to pick my regular selections easily. You can even update your order if you forget something on your list.

Convenience drove me to try online grocery shopping; and the time saved made my life a little easier. This year I’ll embrace what the Internet has to offer and think twice before hitting the mall to complete my holiday shopping.