Of all the side hustles and extra money-making gigs, becoming a personal grocery shopper is one of the easiest. The job description is quite simple: you shop for others, and depending on the type of role you choose, you bag the products or deliver them. That’s it.
There is a good demand for this job as getting groceries delivered saves time for people who cannot do their grocery shopping like working professionals or the elderly.
Many legit companies hire people for personal grocery shopper jobs, which are flexible and pay well too. Today I am sharing details about these companies. If you are interested in starting this side hustle, read on.
What is a personal grocery shopper?
Personal grocery shoppers are those who shop for groceries and drinks for customers. They usually shop and bag groceries, but some companies offer roles where they also deliver the products. This job also requires you to be detail-oriented and to communicate with the customer regarding the order.
How much can you earn with personal grocery shopper jobs?
According to ZipRecruiter, the average pay for a personal grocery shopper is $18 per hour. The pay also depends on the city, the number of hours you work, and the company you work with.
What skills do you need to become a personal shopper?
As a personal grocery shopper, you need to be very focused on customer needs, pick the items exactly as mentioned in their order, have a pleasant demeanor, and promptly communicate with customers regarding any grocery list changes.
Like with food delivery jobs, it also helps to be available during peak times because you get the most jobs.
List of companies hiring for personal grocery shopper jobs
#1. Instacart
Instacart is a top-rated grocery delivery company that hires shoppers for mainly two roles. You can find, shop, and bag deliveries as an in-store shopper, or shop for and deliver groceries as a full-service shopper. You can apply online and get started with the job once a background check is done. Instacart is available in more than 5,000 locations in the US and Canada.
To become an Instacart shopper, you must
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be eligible to work in the US or Canada
- Own a smartphone with Android 5.0 or later or iOS 9 or later
- Have a functioning, registered vehicle
- Have vehicle insurance
- Be able to lift 30+ pounds
Pay:
According to Glassdoor, the average pay for Instacart shoppers is $14–$15 an hour. Payment is made via direct deposit every week.
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#2. Shipt
Shipt is another exclusive grocery delivery company hiring shoppers regularly that has flexible work hours. Once you sign up and have a background check, you can get started in less than a week or two. Taking orders during the peak times and giving good service are some of the easy ways to increase your Shipt shopper ratings to land more jobs.
To become a Shipt shopper, you must
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a valid US driver’s license and auto insurance
- Have a reliable vehicle (1997 or newer)
- Be knowledgeable about of produce selection
- Be able to lift 45 pounds
- Own a smartphone – iPhone (iOS 10 or newer) or Android (5.1 or newer)
Pay:
Though the website boasts an average pay of $16–$22 per hour, it depends on the number of shopping trips you do. Payment is made weekly via direct deposit, which also includes the tips.
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#3. Postmates
This popular food delivery service also delivers grocery store products, drinks, medicines, etc. The biggest plus with Postmates is you can deliver even if you don’t have a car; you can use a scooter, bicycle, or even walk in some cities. Postmates operates all over the US, and you can get started online here. Once you apply, there is a thorough background check, after which you will get the welcome kit to start the job. Check out our detailed Postmates review.
To work with Postmates, you must
- Be 18 years or older
- Have an insured vehicle, scooter, or bicycle
- Have a valid US driver’s license
Pay:
You can earn between $14 and $25 per hour if you work during peak hours.
#4. Favor
With Favor you will be delivering groceries, food, and everything else. It’s a delivery service that caters to delivering a lot of stuff along with food. You can sign up and apply to become a “Runner” with Favor. You can choose your own schedule.
To become a Favor Runner, you must
- Be 18 years or older
- Have an iPhone or Android phone
- Have a car, bike, or scooter
Pay:
The website states average earnings of $10–$18 per hour.
#5. Amazon Prime Now
As an Amazon Prime Now shopper, you will be shopping for groceries and fresh food at Whole Foods. You will be selecting and bagging the products; there is no delivery involved in this role. You can work up to 20 hours per week. Learn more about being an Amazon Prime Now shopper here.
Requirements
High school, GED, or equivalent diploma is required to apply for this role.
Responsibilities
- Use a smartphone, manage apps, and scan bar codes
- Shop the store for customers using their grocery lists
- Get grocery orders prepared for delivery
- Check for order quality
- Communicate with customers about their orders through the app
Pay:
The average pay is $15 per hour. This can go up depending on the city and the shifts you work.
#6. Peapod
With Peapod you will be working in a warehouse sorting customer grocery orders, stocking shelves, and preparing deliveries. The shifts are not flexible, so if you are looking for a gig where you work on your schedule, this might not be a good choice.
Pay:
According to Indeed.com, the average pay for a Peapod shopper is around $14 per hour.
#7. FreshDirect
FreshDirect is a high-quality grocery delivery company that also delivers meal kits, fresh flowers, and other home products. It occasionally hires delivery representatives who are responsible for delivering the food.
This role requires you to be 18 years of age or older, be able to lift a minimum of 50lbs with equipment, have prior experience of customer and delivery service experience is desired.
Pay:
The pay is around $11.50 per hour.
Alternatives to personal grocery shopper jobs
If you have some free time on your hands and don’t mind driving, below are some great options for earning side income.
#1. DoorDash
DoorDash is a food delivery company that hires in many states in the US. If you want to become a “Dasher,” you should be 18 years of age or older, have a smartphone, and have a valid driver’s license and insurance. The pay is around $8–$15 per hour, but it depends on the city you work in and the times you choose.
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#2. Grubhub
To become a delivery driver with Grubhub, you need to be at least 19 years of age, have a smartphone, and have a minimum of two years of driving experience. You can become a driver even if you deliver via scooter or bicycle. The pay depends on the city you work in and the time of day.
If you love shopping and focusing on details when you are doing your grocery runs, then you can become a personal grocery shopper. This job is suitable for anyone who wants to earn extra money on the side with a flexible schedule.
