Online Grocery Shopping: Which Supermarket really delivers?
Updated: Aug 3
Shopping is moving more and more online. The Covid-19 pandemic helped accelerate this trend further. Here we take a look at what various supermarkets have to offer:
Which Supermarkets offer online grocery shopping in Ireland?
1. Tesco – offers both click and collect or delivery.
2. SuperValu – offer both click and collect or delivery
3. Dunnes Stores online delivery is expanding.
4. Iceland – for some Iceland stores you can order online – see stores here. At all stores you can get free home delivery when you shop instore and spend €30 or more.
5. Buymie App – handy app that lets your order from Dunnes Stores
6. Centra have a delivery service for selected stores. As of August 2023, it’s only available at two of their stores.
7. Aldi - some Aldi stores offer order online for collection in store otherwise known as click and collect. Enter your Eircode here to find out if your local store offers it.
What delivery areas are covered?
Tesco – claims to be basically nationwide and on checks we did, that does seem accurate.
SuperValu – stores throughout Ireland offer delivery but it varies depending on the store. If you live outside the main urban areas, the easiest way to see if they deliver to you is to enter your address into their online shopping page.
Dunnes deliver to most of the big cities and surrounding areas. At the time of writing they don't deliver to some parts of the North-West. Check your area here.
Dunnes via the Buymie App – available in Cork, Dublin City, Dublin County, Galway, Kilkenny, Sallins, Newbridge, Naas, Limerick and Wicklow.
Iceland – free delivery available in the areas around their Dublin stores, plus - Gorey, Limerick, Middleton, Tralee, Wexford.
Centra at UCD Dublin & Raphoe in Donegal are the only two stores that currently offer delivery.
What do you have to spend to get home delivery?
Tesco – orders must be above €30 for a one-off shop. Below that a €3 minimum basket charge applies in addition to the standard delivery fee.
SuperValu – minimum order of €50 (excluding delivery fee).
Dunnes Stores - no minimum order size at present
Buymie – minimum order of €30.
Iceland – minimum order of €30.
One-off delivery fees
Tesco – can range from €3 to €7 depending on the timeslot.
Dunnes – can range from €3 to €7 depending on the timeslot.
SuperValu – ranges from €4 to €8 depending on timeslots. You can also get same day delivery but delivery on these are €8 - €10.
Buymie – the fee structure is a delivery fee (€5.99 to €6.99) plus a platform fee of just over 7% of basket size. A fee of €3 applies to orders below €40.
Iceland – free at the moment.
Is a subscription available?
Two brands offer this – you pay a regular amount each month and can get as many deliveries a month as you like as long your order is above the minimum required amount.
Tesco Delivery Saver - €15 a month for delivery any day. All your orders need to be over €50.
Buymie Plus - €9.99 month or €79 per year to avail of services. Each order needs to be at least €40.
Click and collect facility?
The following supermarkets offer this handy service at selected stores:
Tesco – offer it at no charge at selected stores. Frustratingly, you must enter your address in their online shopping to find out if your store has it. More details are here.
SuperValu – offers click and collect throughout the Republic. Based on our tests there is no charge for it. Enter your address here to see if your local store offers it.
Aldi - launched click and collect in 2021. They now offer it at 20 stores including in Dublin, Limerick, Galway and Cork. They charge €6.49 for the service. See list of stores here.
Dunnes – it's offered at Ashbourne, Ballyvolane, Beacon Court, Clondalkin, Clonmel, New Davis Road, Cornelscourt, Gorey, Jetland, Kilnamanagh, Knocknacarra, Kyle Centre, Longford, Marshes, Maynooth, Mullingar, Sligo, Terryland, Thurles, Tralee N.C.R. There appears to be no charge for it currently.
Dunnes' also click and collect with a difference. You can phone in your order in as opposed to ordering online. This service is currently free. For more information click here
So, we’ve given you the facts above, but here’s a quick look at the pros and cons of each site/app. We’ve left Iceland out as it’s a limited service.
Tesco on - Pros & Cons
Pros
You can use Clubcard vouchers to get money off your shop.
You can earn Clubcard points on your online shop
Click and collect is free.
Cons
Click and collect stores limited in rural regions.
One off delivery fee can be high
SuperValu delivery - Pros & Cons
Pros
You can shop online through both desktop and app.
It is fairly easy to use and navigate.
You can get a same day delivery.
Remembers your previous shops - which can be handy.
You can use your spend and save vouchers to get discounts off your shop.
You can get same day delivery (must order in morning)
Cons
Hard to find where they deliver to and which stores allow you to click and collect.
Need a separate app for online ordering versus storing your Real Rewards card.
One off delivery fee can be high
Buymie delivery - Pros & Cons
Pros
Easy-to-use app that lets you quickly add items.
Can get same day deliveries.
Allows you to shop with Dunnes in places they don't offer direct delivery.
New customers bonuses can be generous.
Cons
Can't earn rewards points on Dunnes deliveries
Pricing can expensive and hard to decipher. Find out more.
Dunnes Store grocery delivery - Pros & Cons
Pros
You can earn spend and save vouchers to be used on your current shop. This differs to instore where you have to wait until your next shop to use them.
You can use previously earned spend and save vouchers to get discounts off your shop
Cons
You can't order groceries from the Dunnes app
Click and collect service is limited
Delivery or click & collect not yet available for parts of the north-west.
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