Top Features to Ensure the Success of Your Online Grocery Store

Marcel S
3 min readAug 30, 2021

Grocery Players such as Instacart, Shipt, Big Basket, Fresh Direct, etc., reshape the landscape of the grocery store. In addition, the COVID-19 outbreak has fueled growth in the online grocery sector.

Consumers’ grocery habits have changed drastically in recent months. Will these habits stay with people once life becomes normal? Well, according to industry experts, this habit will stick with us forever.

Launching an online grocery marketplace is the most cost-effective e-commerce business idea in the midst of the pandemic and even for the post-COVID world. The chart continues to progress upwards for the online grocery industry opening many doors for future entrepreneurs.

People like online shopping for various reasons and somehow all the reasons eventually lead to convenience. Not to mention, the convenience factor here, will also fully depend on the features and functionality of your online grocery market. As long as you can add value to your products and services, you will outlast your competitive advantage.

Features online grocery delivery business.

Geolocation

Popular names in the Grocery website like Instacart are operating its online grocery business based on the hyperlocal business model.

A hyperlocal delivery model can be defined as an online business model where customers’ on-demand needs are met by offline local grocery stores through a digital platform. Stores and products are listed and presented to purchasers, according to their geolocation. The marketplace identifies their location via GPS or buyers can even access them manually.

Product Catalog

Managing product data is a major challenge for vendors. The customer today expects from the sellers that they mention every detail of the product. It is here that the product catalogue enters the image.

A product catalog is simply a database of information on all the products that you want to offer on the site. The information in the catalogue may be broken down in several ways.

Speedy Delivery

The hyperlocal business model consists in delivering the goods ordered on time. Since the orders are broadcasted to nearby delivery boys, which ensures the fast delivery of the grocery store lightning.

Delivery Scheduler

This feature has become increasingly popular these days. It allows consumers to plan the delivery of the online grocery store order depending on their availability. They can choose their preferred day and time based on their convenience.

Click and Collect

Click and Collect functionality is the perfect mixture of online and offline shopping experiences. It allows shoppers to order the products online and select them in-store at their convenience.

Payment Gateways

Giving your customers the most popular and reliable payment methods allows them to feel safe while making payments. That ultimately helps build trust.

Notifications

Adding a real-time notification system to your grocery marketplace can help users on many fronts.

Navigation

Timely delivery of grocery products will only be possible if the delivery partner is aware of the customer’s itinerary and correct address.

Wrapping Up

If wondering how to start an online grocery business comes with all these features to empower any entrepreneur, logistics, SME, and large company to launch their multi-vendor grocery marketplace.

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Marcel S

I’m an eCommerce Consultant, responsible for analyzing a business, and designing an e-commerce plan to market.