Online Grocery Delivery in Shanghai: What to Expect
Online grocery delivery in Shanghai is one of the easiest ways to shop for food and household essentials. Whether you’re a new arrival or just short on time, these apps make it simple to get everything delivered to your door.
If you are looking for a broader overview of grocery shopping in the city, see our guide to supermarkets in Shanghai guide or our imported food in Shanghai guide.
Best Online Grocery Delivery Apps in Shanghai
Hema 盒马 (Freshippo)
Hema is one of the most widely used services for online grocery delivery in Shanghai. Operated by Alibaba, it combines a physical supermarket with a highly efficient delivery network.
In most areas, delivery takes around 30–60 minutes, making it ideal for everyday shopping. The range includes fresh produce, meat, seafood and a growing selection of imported products. If you’re specifically looking for Western ingredients, see our imported food in Shanghai guide.
The app is only available in Chinese, but many foreigners use it successfully after a short learning curve.
Insider tip: If you use Hema regularly, it offers a membership option where you choose one fixed day each week to receive around 12% off your purchases — whether you’re shopping in-store or ordering via the app. If you shop there frequently, the savings can add up quickly over the year.
JD Daojia 京东到家
JD Daojia connects users with nearby supermarkets and stores, allowing you to order groceries for same-day delivery. It works with a range of retailers, including large supermarket chains and smaller local stores.
Delivery times vary depending on the store, but it is a reliable option if you want access to multiple supermarkets through a single platform.
Dingdong Maicai 叮咚买菜
Dingdong is particularly popular for fresh produce, meat and seafood. It focuses on fast delivery from local distribution centres rather than traditional supermarkets.
Many users prefer it for everyday cooking ingredients, and delivery is often available within an hour.
Eleme 饿了么
Eleme is best known as a food delivery platform similar to Uber Eats or Deliveroo. However, it also partners with smaller supermarkets and convenience stores to offer grocery delivery.
It can be useful for quick orders of essential items when you need something in a hurry as well as your favourite meal.
ALDI 奥乐齐
ALDI runs its own grocery delivery service through a WeChat mini program, allowing you to order directly from your nearest store for home delivery. Unlike many grocery apps in Shanghai, ALDI’s mini program is fully available in English, making it one of the easiest options for expats to use.
The range covers fresh produce, meat, dairy, frozen goods and ALDI’s own-brand products. Prices are competitive, and the app shows daily deals and seasonal promotions alongside the standard range.
Insider tip: The mini program automatically selects your nearest ALDI store based on your location. If you’re not near an ALDI, delivery may not be available — use the store locator first to check coverage in your area.
Sam’s Club Delivery
Sam’s Club also offers delivery for members, allowing you to order bulk groceries and household items directly to your home. This can be a convenient option if you already shop there and want to avoid carrying large items.
Taobao 淘宝
Taobao is not a same-day delivery platform and works more like Amazon. However, it can be useful for non-perishable items such as olive oil, snacks or household goods.
Delivery times vary, and some products may be shipped from other cities or provinces.
Epermarket
Epermarket is one of the most foreigner-friendly online supermarkets in Shanghai, with an English-language website and a strong focus on Western products.
It specialises in imported groceries and familiar international brands, making it a good option for harder-to-find ingredients.
For more options, see our guide to imported food in Shanghai.
Tips for Using Online Grocery Delivery in Shanghai
Most companies that offer online grocery delivery in Shanghai are app-based and designed primarily for Chinese users. A few practical points to keep in mind:
- A Chinese phone number is usually required to register and place orders
- Delivery times can be very fast, but depend on your location
- Some platforms have minimum order amounts
- Payment is typically made through Alipay or WeChat Pay
If you are visiting Shanghai and need mobile data to use these apps, see our guide to eSIMs for China.
Online grocery delivery service in Shanghai is one of the most convenient aspects of daily life in the city. Once set up, it can save a significant amount of time compared with visiting supermarkets in person.
For a broader overview of grocery shopping in the city, see our Supermarkets in Shanghai guide.
Related Guides
If you are visiting China for the first time, you may also want to read:
• Internet access in China (VPNs and eSIMs)
• Essential Chinese phrases for travellers
• Getting around Shanghai (metro, taxis and ride-hailing)
These topics can make a big difference to how easy your first trip feels.
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