Top Online Grocery Delivery Apps in Canada

The Canadian grocery landscape is experiencing rapid growth in online delivery, with the market projected to reach a substantial US$7.57 billion by 2025. This surge in popularity reflects the increasing demand for convenient and accessible grocery shopping solutions. Canadian consumers are embracing the ease of ordering groceries online, leveraging the power of on-demand grocery delivery apps and platforms. 

This blog post will explore the key factors driving this transformation, including the impact of busy lifestyles and the enduring influence of the COVID-19 pandemic. We will also delve into the essential features that make these platforms user-friendly, such as extensive product catalogs, flexible delivery and pickup options, and secure payment gateways.

Top Performing Canadian Online Grocery Delivery Apps

Here are the top online grocery delivery apps in Canada, known for their excellent service and customer-focused features:

1. Walmart Canada

Walmart Canada offers an online grocery delivery service through its website and mobile app, providing a vast range of products at competitive prices. Customers can choose between home delivery and curbside pickup options.

• Launched In: 2018
• Business Model: Retail model with direct-to-consumer sales and delivery.
• Annual Revenue (Worldwide): Walmart Inc. reported $572.8 billion in revenue 
• Total Visits: Over 30 million monthly visits
• Industry Rank: Leading retailer in the grocery sector

Key Features

• Extensive product range
• Competitive pricing
• Flexible delivery and pickup options
• User-friendly website and app
• Loyalty programs and promotions

2. Instacart

Instacart is a leading online grocery delivery service that partners with various retailers to deliver groceries and everyday essentials to customers’ doorsteps. Operating in numerous Canadian cities, Instacart offers same-day delivery and a user-friendly platform for convenient shopping.

• Launched In: 2012
• Business Model: Marketplace model connecting customers with personal shoppers who fulfill and deliver orders from local stores.
• Annual Revenue (Worldwide): Approximately $2.5 billion 
• Total Visits: Over 25 million monthly visits
• Industry Rank: Top 5 in the online grocery delivery sector

Key Features

• Wide selection of retailers
• Same-day delivery
• Real-time order tracking
• Membership options for free delivery
• User-friendly app interface

3. Loblaws

Loblaws is a prominent Canadian supermarket chain offering online grocery shopping and delivery services. Through its platform, customers can access a wide variety of products, including fresh produce and household essentials.

• Launched In: 2016
• Business Model: Retail model with online ordering and delivery services.
• Annual Revenue: Approximately CAD 51.86 billion
• Total Visits: Over 10 million monthly visits
• Industry Rank: Top 3 in the Canadian grocery market

Key Features

• Diverse product selection
• PC Optimum loyalty program
• Personalized shopping experience
• Curbside pickup and delivery options
• Weekly promotions and discounts

4. Metro

Metro is a Canadian food retailer offering online grocery shopping and delivery services. Customers can shop for a wide range of products, including fresh and organic options, through its user-friendly platform.

• Launched In: 2016
• Business Model: Retail model with online ordering and home delivery.
• Annual Revenue: Approximately CAD 18 billion 
• Total Visits: Over 5 million monthly visits
• Industry Rank: Among the top Canadian grocery retailers

Key Features

• Fresh and organic product offerings
• Online exclusive promotions
• Flexible delivery schedules
• Easy-to-navigate website and app
• Loyalty program integration

5. Safeway 

Safeway is a well-established grocery delivery app serving customers across Canada. The app provides a wide selection of groceries, including fresh produce, dairy, pantry essentials, and household items. Safeway’s focus on quality and convenience makes it a preferred choice for Canadians who value time-saving delivery options. Its intuitive interface and loyalty benefits further enhance the shopping experience, ensuring customer satisfaction.

• Launched In: 2017
• Business Model: B2C (Business-to-Consumer)
• Annual Revenue (Worldwide): Approximately $10 billion
• Total Visits: Over 15 million monthly visits
• Industry Rank: Among the top 5 grocery delivery services in Canada

Key Features:

• Delivery and Curbside Pickup: Offers flexible delivery and curbside pickup options tailored to customer needs.
• Fresh Guarantee: Ensures the delivery of fresh and high-quality products with a satisfaction guarantee.
• Rewards Program: Provides exclusive discounts and points through the Safeway Club Card program.
• Easy-to-Navigate App: Features an intuitive interface for quick browsing and hassle-free ordering.
• Pharmacy Integration: Enables customers to order prescription medicines and health products online.

6. Inabuggy (Buggy.ca)

Inabuggy, also known as Buggy.ca, is a popular online grocery delivery platform in Canada, offering same-day delivery from local grocery stores, liquor stores, and specialty retailers. The platform caters to the needs of busy individuals by providing access to a variety of products, from fresh produce to household essentials. Its user-friendly app and website make it easy to shop, customize orders, and schedule deliveries conveniently. Inabuggy ensures quality by partnering with trusted local stores and assigning personal shoppers to handle customer orders with care.

• Launched In: 2015
• Business Model: On-demand grocery delivery marketplace
• Annual Revenue (Worldwide): Approximately $10 million
• Total Visits: Over 500,000 monthly visits
• Industry Rank: Among the top 10 grocery delivery platforms in Canada

Key Features:

• Same-day delivery from local stores
• Coverage in multiple Canadian cities
• Personal shopper service to ensure quality
• Support for alcohol and specialty product deliveries
• Flexible scheduling and customization options

7. FreshCo

FreshCo is a value-oriented grocery chain offering online ordering and delivery services to cater to budget-conscious consumers. Known for its affordability, FreshCo provides a wide selection of groceries, fresh produce, and household items at competitive prices.

• Launched In: 2010
• Business Model: Retail model focusing on affordable grocery delivery and in-store pickup options.
• Annual Revenue: Parent company Empire Co. reported CAD 28.4 billion in revenue (2021)
• Total Visits: Over 1.5 million monthly visits
• Industry Rank: Recognized for value pricing in the Canadian grocery sector

Key Features

• Competitive pricing with price-matching policies
• Easy-to-use online platform
• Availability of fresh and packaged goods
• Flexible delivery and pickup services
• Regular discounts and promotions

8. Costco Canada

Costco Canada provides online grocery shopping and delivery services, focusing on bulk purchases and high-quality products at wholesale prices. It caters to both individual customers and businesses, making it a versatile option for grocery needs.

• Launched In: 1985 (Online grocery delivery launched later)
• Business Model: Membership-based wholesale retail model with direct delivery options.
• Annual Revenue (Worldwide): Approximately $227 billion 
• Total Visits: Over 20 million monthly visits
• Industry Rank: Top wholesale retailer globally and in Canada

Key Features

• Bulk buying options for groceries and essentials
• Competitive pricing for members
• High-quality, private-label products under the Kirkland Signature brand
• Exclusive deals for Costco members
• Same-day and next-day delivery options

9. Save-On-Foods

Save-On-Foods is a regional Canadian grocery retailer offering online ordering and home delivery services. It is popular for its quality products, loyalty rewards, and convenient shopping options.

• Launched In: 1915 (Online services launched in 2018)
• Business Model: Retail model with an online grocery delivery extension.
• Annual Revenue: Parent company Overwaitea Food Group reports CAD 5 billion+ annually
• Total Visits: Over 2 million monthly visits
• Industry Rank: Leading regional grocery chain in Western Canada

Key Features

• Comprehensive loyalty program with More Rewards points
• Flexible delivery and curbside pickup options
• Wide range of fresh and packaged goods
• User-friendly online shopping platform
• Weekly deals and discounts

10. Voilà by Sobeys

Voilà by Sobeys is an online grocery delivery service designed for convenience and quality. Powered by advanced fulfillment technology, it ensures fast, accurate, and reliable delivery to customers’ homes.

• Launched In: 2020
• Business Model: Retail model with automated warehouse fulfillment and home delivery.
• Annual Revenue: Parent company Empire Co. reported CAD 28.4 billion in revenue (2021)
• Total Visits: Over 1 million monthly visits
• Industry Rank: Among the top emerging online grocery platforms in Canada

Key Features:

• Advanced robotic fulfillment technology for accuracy
• Fresh and quality product selection
• Same-day and next-day delivery options
• Flexible delivery time slots
• Promotions and loyalty rewards integration

Build Your Own Online Grocery Delivery Apps with Growcer

Growcer is a comprehensive and powerful solution designed to empower businesses of all sizes to launch, manage, and scale their online grocery delivery services with ease. Whether you’re a new player entering the competitive online grocery market or an established business looking to enhance your existing offerings, Growcer provides all the essential features you need to succeed.

How Does Growcer Support Your Business?

Growcer a ready-made solution supports your business by providing all the essential or advanced features like multi-vendor support, order management, and seamless delivery integration. It empowers you to streamline operations, attract more customers, and scale effortlessly in the online grocery industry.

• Customizable Online Grocery Platform

With Growcer, you can create a tailored online grocery marketplace that aligns with your brand and meets the needs of your target audience. Its customizable themes, layouts, and features empower you to deliver a personalized and standout shopping experience for your customers.

• Multi-Vendor Functionality

Growcer’s robust multi-vendor capabilities allow you to partner with various suppliers, creating a versatile platform where customers can access a wide variety of grocery products. This feature helps expand your inventory without significant investments in stock or storage infrastructure.

• Seamless Payment Gateway Integration

The platform integrates effortlessly with major payment gateways such as PayPal, Stripe, and more. This ensures secure and hassle-free transactions for your customers. Whether your business model includes subscriptions, pay-per-order, or multiple payment options, Growcer handles it efficiently.

• Real-Time Order Tracking

Growcer offers a real-time order tracking feature, enabling customers to monitor their deliveries from dispatch to doorstep. This feature enhances transparency, improves the customer experience, and minimizes potential disputes.

• User-Friendly Admin Panel

The intuitive admin dashboard simplifies the management of your grocery business. From processing orders to overseeing inventory, you can efficiently handle every aspect of your operations from a single interface—making it ideal for entrepreneurs who prefer streamlined management without technical complications.

• Scalability for Growing Businesses

Growcer adapts to your business growth seamlessly. Designed for scalability, the platform ensures that your grocery delivery service can handle increasing traffic, larger product catalogs, and greater demand while maintaining optimal performance.

• Customer Engagement Tools

Growcer goes beyond operational support by offering tools to strengthen customer relationships. Features like personalized recommendations and loyalty programs help you foster customer loyalty and drive repeat business..

Wrapping Up

The Canadian grocery delivery market is experiencing significant growth, fueled by innovation and consumer demand for convenience. With leading apps like Instacart and Walmart Canada dominating the space, there’s a strong market opportunity for new entrants. Growcer empowers businesses to capitalize on this thriving market by providing the tools and technology necessary to launch and scale successful online grocery delivery services.

FAQs

Q 1. Is Growcer suitable for small and medium-sized businesses?

Ans. Yes, Growcer is tailored to support businesses of all sizes, whether you’re starting your business or scaling the existing operations. Its flexible and scalable architecture makes it an ideal choice for SMBs.

Q 2. What features does Growcer provide for grocery delivery businesses?

Ans. Growcer offers features such as real-time order tracking, multiple payment gateways, vendor management, inventory management, and analytics to ensure smooth operations for both admins and vendors.

Q 3. How long does it take to launch an online grocery delivery app using Growcer?

Ans. With Growcer, you can launch your app in a matter of weeks, thanks to its ready-made structure and easy customization options. This drastically reduces time-to-market compared to building an app from scratch.

Q 4. Does Growcer provide technical support after deployment?

Ans. Yes, Growcer offers 1 year of free technical support to ensure the seamless operation of your grocery delivery platform.

Q 5. Does Growcer support multiple languages and currencies?

Ans. Yes, Growcer supports multiple languages and currencies, making it an ideal solution for businesses operating in diverse regions or catering to a multilingual customer base.