Buying Food On Amazon In 2023 (How It Works, Is It Safe + More)
This in-depth guide will cover everything consumers need to know about purchasing groceries and food online from Amazon, including how it works, is it safe, cost comparisons, delivery times, and more. Read on to learn the key factors to consider from ordering non-perishables to using Amazon Fresh for same-day grocery delivery.
Over the past few years, a growing number of shoppers have turned to Amazon to buy food and pantry staples. This increased demand is driven by the convenience of home grocery delivery as well as improved selection.
In fact, grocery delivery sales on Amazon reached $6.7 billion in 2022, up 22% from the previous year according to e-commerce analysts. Food and beverage remains one of the fastest growing retail categories for Amazon.
How Does Buying Food On Amazon Work?
Ordering food and groceries on Amazon follows the same basic process as purchasing any other items:
Browse or search the Amazon website or app for eligible grocery products
Add desired items and quantities to your virtual cart
Proceed to checkout and select a shipping method
Amazon fulfills the order from their warehouses or approved third-party sellers
Order is delivered on the chosen timeframe, typically 1-5 days
It‘s that easy to start buying non-perishable groceries online instead of going to the supermarket.
What grocery products can you buy on Amazon? Almost anything found in a typical grocery store, including:
Shelved foods: snacks, cereal, pasta, canned goods, baking items
Drinks: water, soda, juice, coffee, tea, powdered beverages
Frozen food: prepared meals, ice cream, vegetables, pizza
Baby food and formula
Alcohol: wine, beer, spirits (where legally allowed)
Pet food, vitamins, and household essentials can be purchased on Amazon as well.
Can You Use Amazon Subscribe & Save For Groceries?
One way to save time and money on Amazon grocery deliveries is to use the Subscribe & Save program. This allows you to schedule automatic recurring shipments for household staples.
Subscribe & Save offers a few key benefits:
Up to 15% off eligible groceries when ordering 5+ products per month
Additional 20% off discount for Prime members
Convenience of groceries auto-delivered on your chosen schedule
Easily pause, cancel or modify orders as needed
Free shipping with no order minimums
Many regular grocery purchases like coffee, snacks, baby formula, or pet food make ideal candidates for Subscribe & Save recurring delivery.
Does Amazon Have Coupons For Groceries?
Amazon offers digital grocery coupons shoppers can "clip" for instant savings at checkout. You can find these coupons in a few ways:
Browse Amazon‘s Coupons webpage
Look for clickable coupons on eligible product pages
Check for reminders about any available grocery coupons as you shop
Grocery coupon categories often include breakfast foods, coffee, chocolate, snacks, beverages and more
Typical discounts range from 5% to 50% off
So before completing any Amazon grocery orders, look for available coupons you can clip to maximize your savings on food, drinks, and pantry items.
Is Buying Groceries On Amazon Safe?
Purchasing grocery products through Amazon is very safe when adhering to food handling best practices after receiving your order:
Refrigerate or freeze perishable items like meat and dairy promptly
Check expiration dates and properly store unopened packages
Wash fresh produce thoroughly before eating
Cook meats, eggs, poultry thoroughly to recommended temperatures
Additionally, Amazon has strict requirements for sellers and suppliers around:
Product freshness – regulated expiration dates
Organic certification – items labeled organic must meet standards
Allergen labeling – clearly listed ingredients and allergen info
Infant formula – products must adhere to FDA nutritional guidelines
Supplements – purity and potency testing
Overall food safety begins with the high standards Amazon enforces. But consumers still need to handle, prepare and store grocery orders properly once delivered.
Are Amazon Groceries Cheaper?
How does the cost of Amazon groceries compare to traditional supermarkets? Here is an overview:
Amazon non-perishable groceries tend to be 5-15% pricier than large supermarket chains
Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods delivery is 10-20% higher than supermarket prices on average
Whole Foods Market‘s premium organic selection is around 40% more than conventional groceries
Prime members get exclusive discounts up to 20% off with subscriptions
Deep pantry stock-ups on Amazon are often cheaper overall than weekly trips to the store
| Grocery Source | Price Comparison to Supermarkets |
|---|---|
| Amazon Standard Grocery | 5-15% higher |
| Amazon Fresh | 10-20% higher |
| Whole Foods Market | 40% higher |
So while Amazon groceries may cost a bit more per item, the tradeoff for many shoppers is saving time and avoiding impulse buys when shopping online.
What Are Amazon‘s Food Suppliers?
Amazon offers all the major national food brands you find at grocery stores, including:
Drinks: Coca-cola, PepsiCo, Keurig Dr. Pepper, Nestle
Snacks: Frito-Lay, Mondelez, General Mills, Kellogg’s
Pantry: Kraft-Heinz, Conagra, Campbell Soup Company
Dairy: Danone, Dean Foods, Schreiber Foods, Chobani
Meat: Tyson Foods, Cargill, National Beef
They also sell quality private label groceries under the Happy Belly (Amazon) and 365 Everyday Value (Whole Foods) brands.
How Fast Does Amazon Deliver Groceries?
Delivery times for Amazon grocery orders depend on several factors:
Location – major cities tend to get faster delivery
Delivery method chosen at checkout:
Standard Shipping: 3-5 business days
Two-Day Shipping: 2 business days (free for Prime)
One-Day Shipping: next business day
Same-Day Delivery: within hours in eligible areas
For the fastest turnaround, Amazon Fresh grocery delivery takes just 2 hours from order time in select cities.
Whole Foods Market via Amazon is another fast option providing delivery within 2 hours or pickup within 1 hour.
So while most standard Amazon groceries ship within 3-5 days, Prime members in major metros can get Amazon Fresh grocery delivery on-demand within a 2 hour window.
What Is Amazon Fresh?
Amazon Fresh is the ultimate convenience for grocery delivery. This premium service provides:
Ultrafast 2-hour delivery windows from order time
Pickup from Amazon Fresh stores in as little as 1 hour
Wide selection of produce, meat, dairy, frozen foods, and household essentials
Physical Amazon Fresh stores in certain cities for an in-person grocery experience
Exclusive deals and discounts on the Happy Belly private label
Currently, Amazon Fresh is available in select metro areas and requires an invitation for new customers. Eligible Prime members can request an invite.
Tips For Selling Food Successfully on Amazon
For sellers, Amazon provides extensive reach to deliver groceries and specialty food items to customers across the US.
Based on my experience as an Amazon seller, here are some tips for selling food online:
Ensure your seller account is approved for the applicable grocery categories
Follow all food safety regulations and quality control best practices
Use climate controlled shipping and insulated boxes for perishables
Block out delivery days when heat risks food freshness
Research competitors‘ pricing and optimize listings accordingly
Promote new products through discounts and coupons
Stay on top of inventory with supply chain planning to limit stockouts
With careful prep and planning, selling food on Amazon can be an extremely rewarding category for e-commerce businesses.
Conclusion
From shelf-stable dry goods to fresh groceries delivered in hours, Amazon offers a highly convenient way for today‘s busy shoppers to purchase food online.
While Amazon grocery prices are sometimes slightly higher than supermarkets, the tradeoff for many consumers is saving precious time. Prime member perks like fast free delivery and subscribe discounts also help offset higher costs.
Advanced grocery services like Amazon Fresh bring online food shopping into the future with thousands of products available for ultrafast delivery or even in-store pickup within hours.
Given the busy modern lifestyle, grocery delivery from Amazon provides an indispensable service for households looking to save time, shop from home, and simplify hectic routines.
