I find it hard to believe instacarts model is still the best way of doing online grocery shopping in America... In the UK there's Ocado that has their own warehouses and most of the selection and packing is automated. If there are replacements you're told in advance and can accept or reject the replacement
Most of the main supermarket chains have followed suit and have similar services
There are other options, we have Peapod in my area. It’s the same stuff in grocery stores but from the warehouse. This pandemic has them overburdened and I can’t seem to find a delivery time. I tried Instacart once and the shopper was great but with so many things being out of stock I end up having to go out anyway. That plus the markup on all the items (the receipt was $20 less than what Instacart charged me, not including fees and delivery and tip).
Wow – I haven't thought about Peapod in years! I didn't even know they were still around.
I remember their trucks in the 90s or early Aughts. I think they only delivered Stop & Shop at that point (in my area), because they're owned by the same parent company.
Ocado is an amazing company. Their warehouses are a beautiful feat of automation [0]. They have signed deals with a few U.S. supermarket chains so you should expect the Ocado experience in the sometime in the near future.
Most of the main supermarket chains have followed suit and have similar services