Get Paid to be a Personal Grocery Shopper

There are many perks to working from home, but flexibility is at the top of my list. 

I can get up at 5:30 AM on a Friday and have my grocery shopping finished before many people set foot in their offices. I rarely have to wait in the checkout line. I get the freshest produce and baked goods – it’s usually being unpacked fresh for the day when I arrive. I can use all of the coupons I want without receiving nasty looks from other customers in a hurry. Now, imagine making money from this joyous experience when you offer up your services as a personal grocery shopper!

Getting paid to grocery shop for others is a growing industry (especially since the pandemic) and is enjoyed by many looking for side jobs to earn an extra paycheck. In today’s post, we are looking at a few key things you need to know whether you decide to go into business for yourself or contract with one of the popular grocery delivery services already out there.

Who would need my services?

There are so many people that hire personal grocery shoppers. The elderly, ill, and even busy parents and professionals enjoy home delivery as opposed to standing in the Friday payday checkout line. If you live near a popular vacation destination with rental properties, you can offer your services to these guests as well. Who wants to head to the grocery store as soon as you reach your vacation destination?

How much can I get paid?

Many personal shoppers charge up to $25 per hour. There are considerations to make when setting up your own grocery delivery business. One example is you will want to be aware and set your rates based on the distance from your home to the grocery store and then the distance from the grocery store to the customer (and then back to your house.) You will also want to figure in gas, insurance, car wear and tear, and taxes (as you will be responsible for paying your own taxes if you are self-employed.) Some people charge a flat rate for simple drop-offs. Most shoppers also charge an extra 10-20% of the grocery total as well if they will be unpacking the groceries once delivered. According to Glassdoor, personal shoppers earn around $32,753 per year.

Are there companies that hire personal grocery shoppers?

Absolutely! A few companies have popped up, equipped with the latest and greatest technology and services, to meet this growing demand. Personal shopper beware: this will change your earnings in most cases. But, in turn, they do eliminate the need to go out there and get your own clients. The clients come to them, they dispatch the orders to you, and 

To contract with any of them, you will need to have reliable transportation and be able to physically lift those bags. You also need a great demeanor (or at least be able to pretend you do) and will likely need to pass an interview. Most companies require a minimum of 18 years of age or older and the ability to pass a background check.

Shipt

Shipt promotes a flexible schedule on its shopper website. You can work full-time or part-time. You set your hours.

Shipt Shopper Requirements

• 18 years of age or older
• Valid US driver’s license and auto insurance
• Reliable vehicle, 1997 or newer
• Knowledge of produce selection
• Insulated cooler bags
• Ability to lift 40 pounds
• iPhone or Android smartphone

The Shipt website currently says experienced shoppers make an average of $22 per hour. That’s not too bad, especially if you are working towards a full-time income. Shoppers are paid weekly.

Start the application here

Instacart

Instacart hires both full-service shoppers and in-store shoppers for on-demand grocery delivery service.

Full-service shoppers are independent contractors who both shop for and deliver orders. This position requires access to a reliable car. The company encourages those already working with a driving service like DoorDash or Lyft to apply. You can start earning quickly and pick up work according to your schedule.

In-store shoppers are part-time employees. In this position, you are simply selecting groceries for the customer’s order in-store and bagging them for pick-up. Therefore, you don’t need a vehicle for this position.

Both Instacart positions require the following:

• Age 18 or older
• Eligible for work in the U.S.
• Smartphone access and effective use
• Ability to lift 30-40 pounds

Pay for both positions is weekly. As opposed to owning your own personal shopping experience, you do not have to market or advertise yourself – work will come to you automatically.

Learn more here

You may also find grocery shopper and delivery jobs at some of your local stores.

What if I want to start my own business?

The good news for entrepreneurs: if you want to start your own personal grocery service, you won’t need much to get started:

• Reliable wheels
• Business cards and flyers to hand out at grocery stores, child care centers, libraries
• Grocery checklists for your customers
• A means to pay – if your first customers will be strangers it is unlikely they are handing over their debit card or a blank check for you to use at the store. That means you need to pay upfront and collect payment upon delivery.

If you need help navigating the startup process, WeGoShop can help. Their licensing fee is $350 per year.

This fee includes:

• license to use their logo, name, and platform
• webpage and grocery delivery ordering system, maintenance and hosted WeGoShop website and mobile app
• secure up to 10 cities or towns to start with the ability to secure another 10 in 30 days

WeGoShop promises no competition with other WeGoShop owners.

The great thing about becoming a personal shopper is this business is scalable and easy to modify as needed into something like a full-fledged personal concierge service. In addition to grocery shopping, you could also offer school and holiday shopping during the fall. And let’s not forget opportunities like UberEats or becoming a GrubHub driver if you love making deliveries and would like to get paid to drive.