Online grocery shopping has become an integral part of modern life in Calgary, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, when demand for grocery delivery has grown exponentially. Calgarians now have access to a wide range of online services, from third-party platforms such as Instacart to chain stores' own online shops, including PC Express, Save-On-Foods, and Calgary Co-op. Choosing the right platform for online shopping requires careful consideration of factors such as cost, convenience, quality of service, and product availability.

Major online platforms in Calgary

Instacart remains the most popular third-party platform for grocery delivery in Calgary. The service partners with a wide range of stores, including IGA, Real Canadian Superstore, Costco, Walmart, Shoppers Drug Mart, and Wholesale Club. Instacart offers delivery within an hour, with delivery windows starting at 9:00 a.m. and continuing until midnight. The platform allows customers to track their orders in real time and communicate with their personal shopper.

PC Express by Loblaws is a proprietary platform for Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills, Wholesale Club, and Your Independent Grocer. The system allows customers to order groceries for delivery or pickup, while continuing to earn PC Optimum points on their purchases. PC Express offers various delivery options: pickup for $1.00, standard delivery for $5.99, and express delivery for $13.99.

Calgary Co-op offers its own online service with free pickup and delivery for $9.99. The store positions itself as a local alternative that supports the local community. Save-On-Foods also has its own online platform with delivery costs ranging from $4.99 to $9.95 depending on the time slot selected.

Walmart offers two options: pickup for $4.97 for express delivery within an hour or $2.97 on weekdays through PenguinPickUp locations. The minimum order is $35 before taxes. Uber Eats also provides grocery delivery services from several Walmart and Safeway chains in Calgary.

Cost comparison: online vs. offline

The most important factor when choosing online shopping is the difference in cost compared to in-store purchases. A CBC Marketplace study found that Instacart applies hidden markups on products averaging about 12% at Costco and Loblaws stores. For example, PC Blue Menu meatballs cost $12.99 at Loblaws, but $15.35 on Instacart — a difference of $2.36. Overall, an identical order of 20 items cost $74.16 more through Instacart ($316.65) compared to purchasing in-store ($242.49).

It is important to note that not all stores apply the same markups. Walmart offers the same prices on Instacart as in-store. Stores may display “in-store prices” or “daily store prices” on Instacart for items without hidden markups. In addition, shoppers often miss out on promotional offers and sales that are only available in physical stores.

Save-On-Foods, through its own online platform, typically costs 9% more than Superstore, regardless of delivery fees. Although the store guarantees the lowest prices on 850 of its most popular items, it may make up for this with other items in your cart.

Pricing structure and additional costs

The pricing structure for online grocery shopping in Calgary varies depending on the platform and type of service. Instacart charges a delivery fee starting at $3.99 for orders over $35, plus a service fee that varies depending on location and type of items. Instacart+ membership provides free delivery on orders over $10.

PC Express offers the cheapest pickup option at $1.00. Standard delivery costs $5.99 (service fee of $1.00 + delivery of $4.99), while priority delivery costs $13.99. Express delivery within 30 minutes costs $3.00 with a PC Express Pass.

Calgary Co-op charges $9.99 for delivery with a minimum order of $60. Save-On-Foods offers delivery for $4.95-$9.95 depending on the time slot (a wide window from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. is cheaper than two-hour windows).

Walmart offers free pickup for orders over $35, but charges $4.97 for express pickup within an hour. Delivery costs $7-$12 depending on how far in advance you order.

Service quality and reliability

The quality of service varies significantly between different platforms. Reddit users report mixed results with Instacart, noting issues with reliability and the quality of selected products. Some Calgary residents complain that Instacart is “unreliable” and has issues with missing items.

PC Express receives more positive reviews from users, who praise it for its “flawlessness.” The system allows customers to change their orders up until the day of delivery, although the process can be cumbersome. Substitutions are usually reasonable, although the personal shopper may not choose what you would have chosen.

Walmart's online service receives criticism for frequent missing items — some users report 16 missing items in a single order. The company does not offer redelivery of missing items; instead, customers must create a new order.

Save-On-Foods has a 4.4-star rating on the App Store and a 3.2-star rating on Google Play. Users complain about poor app design and problems accessing loyalty cards. However, the delivery service is generally reliable.

Product availability and substitutions

One of the biggest challenges of online shopping is limited product availability and substitution policies. Instacart allows customers to set substitution preferences and communicate with their personal shopper in real time. Shoppers can provide specific instructions or opt out of substitutions altogether.

PC Express also offers a substitution system, but the process is less interactive than Instacart. Customers receive an email before pickup with a list of substitutions made. Save-On-Foods allows shoppers to check a box to allow substitutions, but if an item is out of stock and you've selected delivery, you can't go to the store for alternatives.

The problem is that online inventory does not always reflect the actual availability of items in the store. This is especially true for fresh produce, meat, and specialty items.

Advantages of online shopping

Convenience and time savings are the main advantages of online grocery shopping in Calgary. For busy families, people with limited mobility, or those who want to avoid crowds in stores, grocery delivery can be invaluable. This is especially true during the winter months in Calgary, when trips to the store can be dangerous due to weather conditions.

Better budget control can be achieved through online shopping, as you can see the total amount in real time and avoid impulse purchases. PC Express offers a “Frequently Purchased” feature that allows you to quickly add items you need on a regular basis.

Access to loyalty programs is retained on most proprietary online platforms. PC Express allows you to accumulate PC Optimum points, Save-On-Foods supports More Rewards, and Calgary Co-op retains membership benefits.

Disadvantages and limitations

Higher prices remain the biggest drawback of online shopping in Calgary. In addition to hidden markups, shoppers pay service fees, delivery charges, and expected tips. The combination of these costs can make online shopping 20-30% more expensive than shopping in-store.

Limited availability of promotions means that online shoppers often miss out on the best discounts and special offers. Loblaws does not offer in-store promotions on Instacart, which can lead to significant overpayments for items on sale.

The quality of fresh produce can be an issue, as you cannot personally select fruits, vegetables, and meat. Some users complain about receiving spoiled or poor-quality products.

Technical issues and delays can occur with all platforms. Walmart is particularly criticized for deliveries that are delayed by 5+ hours without notification.

Recommendations for Calgary residents

To maximize the benefits of online grocery shopping in Calgary, a mixed approach is recommended. Use your own online store platforms, such as PC Express or Save-On-Foods, to avoid Instacart's hidden markups. These platforms typically offer in-store prices and allow you to use loyalty programs.

Consider pickup instead of delivery if you have transportation and time. PC Express pickup for $1.00 is the most economical option. Plan large orders to justify the delivery cost and minimize the frequency of orders.

Compare prices between platforms before placing an order. Walmart on Instacart offers in-store prices, while Costco and Loblaws have significant markups. Avoid online shopping during big sales when the price difference between online and offline is greatest.

For people with limited mobility or chronic health conditions, online shopping may be a necessity despite the additional costs. In such cases, it is recommended to explore social support options or delivery programs for seniors and people with disabilities.

Online grocery shopping in Calgary offers undeniable convenience and can be especially valuable in certain circumstances, but it requires a strategic approach to minimize additional costs. Understanding the pricing structure, hidden fees, and features of each platform will allow Calgarians to make informed decisions about when online shopping is justified and when it is better to visit a store in person.