Build Grocery Delivery App Clone Like Instacart and Shipt

The online grocery industry is booming, with US sales projected to reach $187.7 billion in 2024. As convenience becomes a top priority, launching a grocery delivery app clone can position your business for success in this competitive market. 

With a clone app, you can offer customers the ease of online grocery shopping, cater to their preferences, and stay ahead of industry trends. This blog will guide you through the essential features, benefits, and steps to develop a powerful grocery delivery app clone, helping you digitize and grow your business.

Statistics of Grocery Delivery Business 

Below are some stats to show the grocery app market started to boom and gained immense popularity.  

• Online grocery or delivery services are used by 22% of consumers. Compared to 2022, grocery delivery services increased by 56% in 2024.
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts food prices to grow by 2.5% overall and 1.6% for food consumed at home in 2024. It is not shocking that almost 40% of people exceed their designated grocery budgets each month.
• When grocery shopping online, most American consumers buy packaged non-perishable foods (78%) and personal care products (77%), according to Statista. 

What is an On-Demand Grocery Delivery App Clone and How Does it Work?

An on-demand grocery delivery app clone is a mobile application that replicates the functionality of popular on-demand grocery delivery services like Instacart, Amazon Fresh, or Shipt. These types of apps allow users to order grocery items from local stores and have them delivered to their doorstep within a few hours. 

Below are some steps that show how an on-demand grocery delivery app clone works:

1. User Registration: Users download the app and create an account, providing their personal and payment information.
2. Store Listing: The app integrates with local grocery stores and supermarkets, displaying their available product catalogs within the app.  
3. Shopping Cart: Users can browse the product listings, add items to their virtual shopping cart, and customize the order as needed.
4. Delivery Request: Once the user is ready to checkout, they select a delivery time slot and submit the order.
5. Order Processing: The app’s backend system processes the order, and assigns it to the grocery store.
6. Delivery: The shopper or delivery driver delivers the groceries to the user’s specified address, often providing real-time tracking and updates.
7. Payment and Feedback: The user pays for the order through the app, which may include delivery fees and service charges. They can also provide feedback on the shopping and delivery experience.

Revenue Streams of White-Label Grocery Delivery App Clone 

The white label grocery delivery app clone generates money through these revenue streams. 

Commission Fee: Business owners can put a percentage as a commission fee on every transaction taken through the grocery delivery solution. The main benefit of this model is the revenue is easily predictable because of the sheer fee.

Delivery Fee: The grocers charge the delivery fee from customers on every order placed through the platform. 

Subscription Fee: It is the most profitable revenue model. Sellers are required to pay a subscription fee to get access to the site and display their products. It may be approved annually, quarterly, or monthly.

Promotional Fee: In this revenue model, business owners make money by selling ad spaces. It is the most commonly used revenue model and best for both online/offline businesses.  

Features of Grocery Delivery Clone App Solution 

The grocery delivery clone app is an advanced solution to start your online grocery store and globalize your user base with ease. Providing top features is a great way to expand your customer base and make your app attractive to the users. 

Below are some features that should be incorporated into your grocery clone app.

Customer App

Features	Description
Easy Registration	Download the app and register on it via your Google, Facebook, and Apple account for a seamless onboarding experience.
Advanced Search Option	Implement a robust search functionality that enables users to search for specific products, browse by category, filter based on various criteria (e.g., price, brand, etc), and sort results.
Push Notifications	Set up a push notification system to alert users about relevant offers, deals, product restocks, and order updates.
Real-Time Tracking	Integrate real-time order tracking so that customers can monitor the status of their orders, from the time of placement to delivery.
Review and Ratings	Allow customers to leave reviews and ratings for products and services, which can help other users make informed purchasing decisions.
Favorites and Shopping Lists	Enable users to save their favorite products and create customizable shopping lists for faster and more efficient shopping.
Multiple Payment Options	Integrate various payment gateways to offer customers a wide range of payment methods, including credit/debit cards, digital wallets, and mobile payments.
Order History	Provide a comprehensive order history feature that allows users to view their past orders, reorder items, and track delivery status.
Scheduled Deliveries	Allow customers to schedule future deliveries at their preferred time and date, catering to their convenience.
In-App Support	Integrate a customer support system, such as live chat or a helpline, to assist users with any queries or issues they may encounter.
Location-based Services	Use the user’s location to provide personalized offers, display nearby stores, and optimize delivery routes.

Grocers/Supermarket App

Features	Description
Accept/Reject Orders	According to availability, the grocers can accept/reject orders. This feature helps them to manage the business operations seamlessly.
Instant Notifications	Using this feature, the grocers can send instant notifications to customers for their orders, new deals, discounts, and more.
Sales Report Analysis	The store owners get access to sales report data that helps them track and maintain their sales in an organized way.
Assign Order to Rider	The vendor can assign the order to the rider that is nearest to the customer’s location.

Rider App

Features	Description
Login	Riders can log in to the app using their email, password, and phone number. They can create a full profile and edit it as needed.
Availability Status	On the rider delivery app, riders can manage their availability for the next order. If the rider is not free, then they change their status to “non-available” on the app.
Live Tracking	Riders can track the exact location of the customer they are delivering to in real time.
View Payment	Riders can view the payment details for the orders they have completed. This feature helps to build trust and transparency between riders and store owners.
Orders History	The app maintains a comprehensive order history, enabling riders to review their past deliveries and track their performance.
Customer Support	The rider app provides a customer support feature, ensuring that riders can get assistance or resolve any issues they face during the delivery process.

Admin Dashboard

Features	Description
Sign in	Administrators can securely log in to the dashboard using their email and password credentials. This allows them to access and review the various activities and data across the applications.
Manage Stores	The dashboard enables administrators to manage all stores from a single interface. Admins can easily add, delete, and edit store details as needed.
Manage Payments	Administrators can manage the complete payment processes for the applications directly from the dashboard. This streamlines payment-related tasks and provides visibility into financial transactions.
Inventory Management	The dashboard allows to handle the inventory, including accessing billing information, all within the centralized admin interface. This facilitates efficient inventory tracking and management.
Customer Management	The admin allows to access customer records. However, to protect customer privacy, the dashboard does not permit administrators to share this customer data with any third parties.
Send Notifications	The dashboard is integrated with a notification system that sends alerts to administrators for various activities related to stores, customers, riders, and other application functions. This keeps them informed of important events and updates.

Benefits of Grocery Delivery App Clone

A grocery delivery app clone can make your grocery business more successful and profitable. It is the best decision that not only meets the customer demands but also helps you to maintain your position in the dynamic market. 

Below are several benefits that the grocery clone app provides to businesses and customers.

Benefits	Business	Customers
Time and Cost Efficiency	It is the main benefit for business owners investing in grocery delivery app development. Business owners don’t need to create the app from scratch, they only customize it according to their needs.	It also saves the customer time and eliminates the need to visit physical stores. Also, customers get everything under one platform.
Real-Time Updates	Business owners can get real-time updates related to stock levels, incoming orders, and more. It contributes to enhancing operational efficiency.	Customers can also track their orders in real-time. It reduces miscommunication and builds trust.
More Revenue and Discounts	Businesses can get more revenue and sales by investing in a grocery app clone.	Customers get more discounts and offers when purchasing groceries online because many stores/grocers offer online discounts.
Expanded Market Reach	Grocery delivery software allows businesses to easily expand their geographical market reach.	Customers in previously underserved areas can now access online grocery delivery and access to a wider range of products.
Multiple Payment Options	The clone app provides various payment methods to customers that make their ordering process easy.	Customers can choose their preferred payment method, whether it’s online payment or cash on delivery, providing a seamless and flexible checkout experience.

Steps for Building the Grocery Clone App

Building the grocery delivery app clone is a simple and easy process, if you follow the below-mentioned steps. 

1. Planning and Strategy

Before you start developing the app, you should create a proper plan. Studying your competitors in detail. Try to understand the challenges that customers face when doing their grocery shopping online. If you incorporate each of the ideas into your app development plan, your app will be more engaging to use. 

2. Select the Platform

Selecting the right platform is essential if you want your app to reach the right users. There are advantages and disadvantages to both native and hybrid systems. Native apps are available for iOS and Android and are expensive. Applications with a cross-platform user interface and cross-platform compatibility are produced using hybrid interfaces. These apps can be made at less cost than native models.

3. Identify the App Features

Determine the app features of your grocery clone script app that make your app engaging for your customers. Always add the features by keeping the interest of your target audience. Never add irrelevant features that make your app dull and users not use it.   

4. Start Grocery Delivery App Development 

First, you have to create an intuitive and visually appealing user interface. Then, develop the necessary APIs and services to power the app’s functionalities.

5. Testing and Quality Assurance

Perform comprehensive testing, including unit tests, integration tests, and end-to-end tests. Identify and address any bugs or performance issues. Make the app error-free before publishing it on the app stores.

6. App Deployment and Launch

Submit the app for review and approval to the respective app stores (e.g., Google Play, App Store). Promote the app through various marketing channels, so more people know about your app. 

Cost of Developing the Grocery Delivery Clone App

The cost of developing the grocery clone app can range between $10,000 to $25,000. However, the cost can also increase on several factors, such as:

• App complexity 
• App features
• Number of platforms (iOS, Android, or both)
• Development approach 
• Development team location
• App customization 

To achieve a successful and timely app development process, businesses must carefully plan and allocate resources.

Challenges in Building the Grocery Delivery App Clone 

Here are some challenges businesses face in developing the grocery delivery app clone. 

Changing Market Trends 

It is the main challenge businesses face in developing the grocery clone app. The grocery delivery market is rapidly increasing, with consumer preferences and behaviors shifting frequently. Keeping up with the latest trends in terms of features, user expectations, and market dynamics is vital for the success of the app.

High Operational Costs

Grocery delivery services have inherently high operational costs, including the costs of maintaining a fleet of delivery vehicles, hiring and managing a team of drivers, and ensuring efficient logistics and supply chain management.

Delivery Inefficiency

Ensuring timely and efficient delivery of grocery orders is a significant challenge. Factors like traffic, weather, and unexpected delays can disrupt the delivery process and negatively impact the customer experience.

Security Concerns

Handling sensitive customer information, such as payment details and personal data, requires robust security measures to prevent data breaches and build trust with users.

Competition

The grocery delivery market is highly competitive with established players. Differentiating the app and offering a unique value proposition is crucial to stand out in the crowded market.

Customer Experience

Delivering a seamless and satisfactory customer experience is essential for the success of the grocery delivery app. This includes features like intuitive navigation, accurate product information, real-time order tracking, and responsive customer support. 

Successful Examples of Grocery Delivery Apps

Look at the successful examples of grocery delivery apps below.

Instacart

Instacart is a popular grocery delivery service that has more than 500 retailers and trusted local grocers across North America. The company covers around 100 cities. It will connect customers with personal shoppers in their area. Also, Instacart not only delivers groceries but other essentials right to customer’s doorstep.

Features

• Delivery tracking 
• Online ordering 
• Order management 
• Smart search 
• Safe payment options 

Pros	Cons
Save time as compared to in-person grocery shopping	Unavailable in rural areas
Wide selection of products	High delivery fees
Same-day delivery

Amazon Fresh

Amazon Fresh is an online grocery delivery service offered by Amazon that allows customers to order a wide variety of fresh and packaged grocery items for delivery. They also deliver household essentials to customer’s doorstep. 

Features

• Customer reviews
• Personalized recommendations
• Simple and intuitive app interface 
• One-click checkout 

Pros	Cons
Timely delivery	High delivery fees
24/7 customer support	Limited availability in some areas
Prime members can access Amazon Fresh at no additional cost

Shipt

Shipt is an on-demand grocery and retail delivery service that partners with various local stores to provide same-day delivery to customers. It offers top-notch features that make it the best among other apps.

Features

• Delivery tracking 
• Wide partner network 
• Schedule delivery 

Pros	Cons
On-time delivery	Available in a few areas
Large product selection	Charges a fee on every delivery
Flexible delivery options
Free shipping and discounts on orders above a certain price

Comparison of Different Grocery Delivery Platforms 

Feature	Instacart	Amazon Fresh	Walmart	Shipt	FreshDirect
Delivery Area	Available in over 5,000 cities across North America	Available in select metropolitan areas in the U.S.	Available nationwide	Available in over 200 markets in the U.S.	Available in the Northeast U.S. corridor
Delivery Fees	Starts at $3.99 per delivery, with optional annual membership	Free delivery for Amazon Prime members, otherwise $9.95 per order	Free delivery for Walmart members, otherwise $7.95 per order	$7 per delivery, with optional annual membership	Delivery fees start at $3.99
Product Selection	Wide selection of groceries, household items, and more	Focuses on Amazon’s own grocery brands and selection	Walmart’s full grocery selection	Wide selection of groceries, household items, and more	Specializes in high-quality fresh and prepared foods
Order Minimum	No order minimum	No order minimum	$35 order minimum	No order minimum	$30 order minimum
Membership Options	Optional Instacart Express annual membership for $99	Free for Amazon Prime members	$98 per year for Walmart+ membership	Optional Shipt annual membership for $99	No membership option

Expert Tips for Developing the Grocery Delivery Clone App

Look at the below tips and build the grocery clone app without hassle. 

• Create a user-friendly interface that is easy to use for the customers. 
• Add multiple payment methods so customers can easily pay with their preferred method.
• Use the latest technologies to help you create a great app. 
• Know about your competitors and their strengths and weaknesses.  
• Use strong security protocols to keep the information safe and secure. 
• Add top-notch features that make your app unique. 
• Avoid adding irrelevant features to your grocery app. 

FAQs

1. What is an Instacart clone?

An Instacrt clone is the replica of the original app and enables users to browse a wide range of grocery items from one platform and get them delivered to their doorsteps. 

2. How to set up a grocery delivery service?

Below are some steps for setting up the grocery delivery service. 

• Create a plan for your business idea
• Collect the right tools
• Test your workflows
• Start marketing your app
• Launch your grocery delivery service 

---