Grocery shopping has come a long way from weekly aisle strolls, heavy bags, and multiple pit stops. In 2025, shoppers expect speed, convenience, and flexibility — all at their fingertips.
With the US grocery delivery market growing at 8.29% annually and projected to hit $488.08 billion by 2030, grocery store owners and managers can no longer treat delivery as optional. Third-party delivery for grocery has become essential to staying competitive and profitable.
That's where DoorDash comes in. Whether you're an independent butcher or a regional grocery chain, DoorDash provides the tools and logistics to offer seamless delivery and pickup, reach more customers, and boost your bottom line — without starting from scratch. Keep reading to explore key consumer trends, expert tips, and how to start selling groceries on DoorDash.
How grocery delivery and pickup services work on DoorDash today
How does DoorDash work for grocery stores today? Much like it does for restaurants and retailers, DoorDash makes online ordering simple and seamless for grocers and their customers. Getting started is easy — just sign up as a partner, and once approved, a dedicated merchant representative will guide you through onboarding.
From there, DoorDash provides grocery partners with a powerful suite of tools to support daily operations and long-term growth, including:
Dedicated support: Access 24/7 live order support via phone and chat, plus account assistance and direct communication with assigned Dashers.
Choice and flexibility: Easily update your inventory, product availability, and operating hours in real time — customized for your store's needs.
Promotions: Launch tailored campaigns like "First Delivery Free" or "$X Off Your Next Order" to attract new customers and keep loyal ones engaged.
Sponsored Listings: Increase visibility and drive sales with in-app advertising placements designed to boost discoverability and conversion.
DashPass: Connect with DoorDash's most loyal and high-intent shoppers through the DashPass membership program.
DashMart: Expand your presence by listing retail and household essentials on DashMart, DoorDash's convenience store platform.
Grocery delivery with DoorDash: How to get started
Many grocery chains have invested in their own grocery store delivery services, but with DoorDash, that level of investment isn't required. Whether you're starting from scratch or expanding an existing service, DoorDash grocery delivery offers a flexible, scalable way to reach more customers.
You can create a fully branded online storefront on DoorDash or use the platform to complement your in-house solution and drive incremental orders.
Take Fishers Foods, a beloved Ohio grocer, for example. They chose to have DoorDash handle deliveries directly through their business website, which simplified logistics and expanded their reach.
After using and considering other food delivery services, DoorDash seemed to always have the most variety, full menu offerings, and functionality. These factors helped me determine that DoorDash could easily be my go-to food delivery service — and the DashPass was well worth every cent.
Whether you're a butcher, a specialty food store (like a cheese shop or olive oil boutique), or a full-service international market, if you sell grocery items, you're eligible to partner with DoorDash for grocery delivery. Here's how to get started:
1. Sign up for DoorDash
Start by signing up your grocery store as a DoorDash partner. Submit basic business information about your business, and a merchant expert will reach out shortly to get you set up on the platform.
2. Set up your online grocery store
Your merchant expert will help create a digital storefront for your brick-and-mortar location, making your business discoverable in the DoorDash app. Customers will be able to browse, search, and place orders directly.
To build your store's online catalog, you can share product lists, POS exports, or inventory files. DoorDash's team helps map your items to categories and organize everything efficiently.
Alex of Fisher Foods was immediately impressed with how quickly the DoorDash team helped load thousands of SKUs into the system. “The product catalog was the number one priority — whether it's descriptions or the way things are orchestrated within your system. For that to translate over, to be imported and shown through a digital catalog, that in and of itself is a feat, especially when you're dealing with so many items. That process has been very seamless," he notes.
3. Accept, pack, and prep orders
Once your store is live, customers can browse your offerings and place orders for delivery or pickup. Depending on your workflow, fulfillment happens in one of two ways:
Merchant Pick: Your staff receives the order via the DoorDash tablet, packs the items, and prepares them for pickup or delivery. You can communicate with customers about substitutions or out-of-stock items.
Dasher Shop: A Dasher shops in-store, contacts the customer as needed for substitutions, and pays at checkout using their DoorDash Red Card.
4. Make pickup easy for Dashers and customers
For a smooth handoff, designate a clear pickup area inside your store. Signage helps Dashers and customers quickly identify where to go — keeping the experience fast and frustration-free.
You can track every order through your DoorDash tablet, from acceptance to drop-off, ensuring visibility at every stage.
Want more best practices? Hear from merchants and top Dasher Leo Ney on creating seamless pickup experiences.
Trends & tips to boost grocery delivery sales and loyalty
In 2025, the most powerful marketing tool is meeting customers where they are. Since introducing DoorDash in July 2021, Fishers Foods has seen steady growth — averaging 300 per month, with 60% of them from DashPass customers.
And Fishers Foods is just one example. Consumer behavior is shifting fast, and the data proves it. According to our 2025 Delivery Trends Report:
75% of consumers placed at least one same-day delivery order in the past month
Parents are using same-day delivery nearly twice as often as non-parents
49% prefer third-party apps like DoorDash for their ease of use
20% choose app-based ordering specifically to avoid human interaction
42% are ordering alcohol more often than in 2024
Among alcohol buyers, 80% also ordered low- or non-alcoholic options, including an 82% YoY increase in non-alcoholic beer orders
So, how can your business turn these trends into tangible results? By using DoorDash's tools and strategies to drive both grocery delivery sales and lasting customer loyalty.
Increase average order value with smart marketing tools
DoorDash provides built-in features to help you grow order volume and basket size:
Bundle bestsellers: Offer pantry kits, snack bundles, or themed meal packs to encourage larger orders.
Launch limited-time deals: Use promos like BOGO, free delivery over a certain amount, or “$5 off your next order” to drive urgency.
Cross-sell strategically: Suggest natural pairings like chips and dips or granola with yogurt to boost order size.
Build lasting loyalty
Beyond immediate revenue, building loyalty is what keeps customers coming back. With DoorDash, you can foster meaningful connections that turn one-time buyers into regulars:
Offer memberships or loyalty perks: Take advantage of programs like Store Loyalty and DashPass to reward repeat customers.
Showcase seasonal and local items: Promote in-season produce, holiday specials, or regional favorites to keep your menu fresh and relevant.
Go green: Sustainability matters — 92% of Gen Z and 87% of Millennials consider it when choosing where to shop. Cut down on excess packaging and opt for recyclable or reusable materials when possible.
Support your community: Collaborate with local schools, farms, or nonprofits to build trust and goodwill.
Focus on fulfillment quality: Orders that are well-packed, clearly labeled, and arrive as expected lead to better reviews — and repeat visits.
The math is simple: make shopping easy, align with customer values, and consistently deliver great experiences. When you do, you'll drive online orders and earn long-term loyalty, too.
