The shortage and inadequacy of groceries are being experienced by many people globally. This is because people have started to indulge in panic buying. Once the shop is stocked with products, the fortunate ones who hit the shop first almost empty the shop and buy everything in bulk. This leads to inadequacy in goods for others to buy. Most of the time, many customers return home empty-handed and with the stress of having to re-visit the shop again. No man is to blame here because this is a situation similar to the theory ‘survival of the fittest.

 On the other hand, many grocery vendors and shops are dumping loads of groceries into waste. This is because the customers are unable to go and buy groceries due to global lockdown and the rules imposed by the government. The fear of contracting the virus goes without saying. This indicates there is no shortage of groceries but only a shortage of supply. This discrepancy is addressed by grocery delivery apps, which act as bridges between the vendors and the customers. 

Ever since the pandemic, the rise in the usage of grocery delivery apps is tremendous. This is because it addresses the discrepancy in buying the groceries in-person because of the lockdown imposed. Instead of developing a new grocery delivery app for your business, an app clone of a successful grocery delivery app can be used. Instacart is the most famous and successful grocery delivery app. According to a recent Apptopia March 2020 report, Instacart has shown an increase in online deliveries by 218% since the onset of the COVID-19 spread.

Integrating an Instacart clone app in your business is a need in the current times.
From supermarkets to small scale vendors, every seller can be listed on the app and can efficiently sell their groceries. 

Types of grocery delivery apps depending on the business model

Grocery delivery app for the company  

This is an exclusive grocery delivery app for a single grocery shop business. Here the admin needs to update on the stock details in the app. Most of the time, the customers are from the adjacent local area for these shops. This works best for the already established and well-known stores that have recognition among the audience.

Grocery Marketplace link-ups

In this, multiple stores from different locations are linked up. This app is similar to having a food delivery app, where different shops from small to large scales are linked together in one app. The customer has a list of shops to choose from. It enables them to look for alternatives instantly if there is a shortage of stock in one shop. Here the admin more or less acts as a coordinator between the customers and the grocery stores.

Grocery delivery app for larger market chains

This kind of delivery app is suitable for big grocery markets that have several branches in different locations. The app has a link-up of all the larger grocery chains. It is designed to improve the operational efficiency of the grocery chain. The app owner can monitor and carry out all the business processes with ease using the admin panel.

How does an Instacart clone app work

1) The customers can log in using their verified number and create a profile and register their information and location. 

2)The customers can search for the essential groceries or lookup for the grocery stores nearby and add the needed goods to the cart.

3) After adding the groceries, the customer can checkout by paying via different payment modes, like a credit card, debit card, and UPI payment.

4) The grocery store receives the order, and the grocery is packed and ready for the delivery executive to pick-up

5) The delivery executive picks up the order and delivers it at the customer’s place with GPS help.

6) The customer can later rate the delivery products and the service availed. This gives the admin an insight as to what needs to be improved. 

Feature set

The necessary features that the app must-have for the customers to have a seamless experience.

 Login 

The customer can login and create a profile using their verified mobile number and email ID. They should add to all the required information and their correct location.

Wide Range Of choices 

The customer should have a wide range of options and categories to choose from. They can find the nearest store by various filters according to brands and types. 

Tracking The Order

After the customer places the order, they can track the order status with the GPS enabled tracking system.

Checkout Cart

The checkout process must be smooth. Customers can add as many products to the cart. They can also place orders from multiple shops at once. 

Payment 

The customer has the option to choose different payment options like UPI, using a credit card, and debit card.

Ratings and feedback

The customers are asked for ratings and feedback. This helps the admin in improving and sustaining their work.

Referral System

The customer can refer the app to another user to install it, and they get rewarded for it. This enables the app to have a reach among a broader audience via word-of-mouth marketing.

Covid-19 add-on features

To avoid the anxiety of contracting the virus, the customers need to be ensured of the safety of the goods delivered to them. There are a few add-on features that can gain the customer’s trust at this time.

1) Contactless delivery

The delivery executive can leave the package outside the customer’s place. This enables zero contact between the customer and the delivery executive.

2) High-touch surface details

The customers need to be notified about the packaging process, which is done following all the safety standards. The staff undergoes a safety temperature check before packing the groceries and goods. This is notified to the customers. The customers are also given a separate guide section in the app explaining how to disinfect the surfaces like handle covers, packages, re-sanitizing the grocery, etc.

3)Screening of the delivery executive

The delivery executives are checked for a safe temperature limit before commencing their work to pick up the order. The executive also needs to wear masks and gloves. They have the company’s adherence to uploading a selfie confirming that they are wearing the needed PPE.

4)Safe payment

The customers can pay online and avoid the risk of contracting the virus through handling hard-cash. Nowadays, almost all on-demand service apps are handled through online payment transactions, and this is the safest way to carry out paying bills at this time.

5) Providing safety badges

The admin can give safety badges to the grocery stores after thorough verification of their safety protocols.

The customer can order from the stores if they like their work and safety standards. 

This enables the shops to maintain their safety standards and gives other customers a secureness to shop from the same.

6)Safety ratings and feedback

The customers can rate their experience based on the safety process and protocols followed by the company. This gives the business owners to work on their delivery process and update their business accordingly.

Wrap up 

The Spanish flu pandemic (1918), which caused a global lockdown occurred for two years. Given the history, it is expected that this situation will continue to prevail for a considerable time. Instead of blaming the virus and ruminating on the low profits in doing traditional ways of grocery business at this time, jump in to accommodate your business according to the situation. Develop an efficient online Instacart clone script for your grocery business and strive to render services with consistency; you will fetch a tremendous ROI.