While the shift to online grocery shopping was well underway before the Coronavirus pandemic, it's continued to grow throughout 2022. According to a recent study, more than half (60%) of consumers in the UK buy at least some of their groceries online, with 16% now ordering all or most of their groceries via the internet.
While convenience is king, it does come at a price. Delivery charges can be as much as £6.99 per order, which can really bump up your total grocery bill. One way to cut costs is to invest in a delivery pass which gives you free deliveries for a monthly or annual fee. If you usually do your weekly online shop at the same supermarket, our research found that buying a pass could save you over £200 a year. Opting for a midweek or off-peak pass (this usually means Tuesday to Thursday or after 3pm in the case of Tesco's off-peak option) is the cheapest option and it will cost you less if you buy an annual pass rather than paying monthly.
Anything I need to look out for?
One thing to note is that the minimum basket spend (most are £40, Asda is £25) still applies, even with a pass, or you will be charged a small basket fee.
Which supermarket offers the best deal?
We analysed the delivery charges and passes of five of the UK's biggest supermarkets to see how they compare. Waitrose, Co-op, Lidl and Aldi don't offer delivery passes so haven't been included, while Iceland delivers free of charge, with a minimum spend of £40.
| Anytime | Midweek | Potential savings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sainsbury's | £7.50 a month £80 a year | £4 a month £40 a year | Up to £168 a year |
| Tesco | £6.99 a month+ £83.88 a year | £3.99 a month+ £47.88 a year | Up to £150 a year |
| Ocado (including M&S) | £8.99 a month £89.99 a year | £3.99 a month £39.99 a year | Up to £219 a year |
| Asda | £6.50 a month £65 a year | £3.50 a month £35 a year | Up to £199 a year |
| Morrisons | £8 a month £65 a year | £5 a month £35 a year | Up to £167 a year |
GH Tip: Tesco Clubcard holders can use their vouchers to pay for a delivery pass. Find out more at tesco.com/clubcard.
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