Grocery shopping is moving online for many consumers as Wal-Mart, Kroger and H-E-B join major grocers offering delivery and pickup services.

Wal-Mart Grocery Pickup and Kroger’s ClickList have dozens of Greater Houston area sites and plan to add more in the coming months, according to company representatives.

Customers who already engaged with digital outlets, such as the Kroger mobile app and website, have been among the first users of the service, said Kristal Howard, public relations manager at Kroger.

Wal-Mart spokesperson Anne Hatfield said mothers and seniors are the company’s top users.

Grocery pickup and delivery services are available for online customers, bringing convenient options to Tomball.[/caption]

“This is part of how retail is evolving,” she said. “Our customers want to be able to shop how they want, when they want, with mobile and digital outlets.”

Locally owned businesses have begun joining the trend as well. When Jessica Riddle’s family moved to Australia, she had five kids and dreaded tackling weekly grocery shopping in a foreign country. However, she noticed the local grocer offered delivery services.

After moving back to the area, Riddle started The Pantry Lady this spring with mothers in mind. On top of delivering groceries to homes, she offers meal planning, dry cleaning and prescription pickup. Riddle also offers discounts to seniors and teachers. While the business charges a service fee, Riddle uses coupons and does not charge more for products. Without going to the store with children in tow and giving in to impulse buys, moms still tend to pay less, she said.

Riddle is not limited to specific grocery stores and said the personal service she offers sets her apart from major retailers. 

“When I do your grocery shopping, that’s two or three more hours you get to spend with your family,” she said.