IGA, Maxi, Instacart — la livraison d'épicerie s'est largement développée au Québec.
1. Online grocery delivery options in Quebec
Online grocery delivery has grown considerably in Quebec in recent years. Main options:
| Service | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IGA en ligne | Direct supermarket delivery | Order online, delivery 1–2 days or same-day in-store pickup |
| Maxi / Provigo | Direct supermarket delivery | Available in most of Montréal and suburbs |
| Instacart | Third-party delivery (multiple stores) | Delivery in 1–2 hours; shops at various stores |
| Goodfood | Meal kit subscription box | Pre-portioned ingredients + recipes delivered weekly |
| Costco (members only) | Bulk delivery | Available in Quebec for members |
2. Fees and cost comparison
Fee comparison:
| Service | Delivery fee | Free delivery threshold |
|---|---|---|
| IGA / Maxi / Provigo | $5–15 depending on area and speed | Generally at $75–100 order minimum |
| In-store pickup | Free or reduced vs home delivery | Depends on chain |
| Instacart | $5–10 variable + 5–10% service fee | Possible price markup vs in-store |
| Goodfood | Included in subscription | $8–13 per portion depending on plan |
Note: online grocery prices are generally similar to or slightly higher than in-store, reflecting the operational costs of order preparation and delivery.
3. Practical tips for saving on online grocery
Tips for reducing online grocery costs:
- Choose in-store pickup over home delivery — often free or cheaper, and you avoid the delivery tip
- Order in one large purchase rather than several small ones to reach the free delivery threshold
- Check weekly promotions — online stores run the same weekly deals as physical stores; IGA, Maxi and Provigo all publish their flyers on their websites, and the same deals apply online
- Use welcome offers — most services offer a free first delivery or a discount for new customers; Instacart and Voilà (IGA's delivery service) regularly run such promotions
- Check in-app promotions before making your shopping list — best savings come from current deals
- For Goodfood / meal kits: compare cost per portion against what you'd spend buying the same ingredients separately — the advantage is convenience and waste reduction, not necessarily price
4. Frequently asked questions
Common questions about online grocery delivery in Quebec.
Is home delivery worth the extra fees?
It depends on your situation. Home delivery is worth it if you don't have a car, if you have young children or mobility issues, or if you're ordering heavy items like water bottles or beverages. For a typical grocery run, in-store pickup is often the better trade-off: same time savings as delivery (you order in advance), but usually free or at a much lower cost. Consider delivery a practical tool rather than a default habit.
Is there a minimum order for delivery?
Yes, most online grocery services require a minimum purchase to place a delivery order — typically a moderate amount. If you don't reach the minimum, you can add frequently used non-perishables (canned goods, paper products) to top up your cart. In-store pickup often has a lower minimum or no minimum at all, which is another reason it can be more flexible.
Do flyer prices and in-store discounts also apply to online orders?
Generally yes — the weekly promotions published in the flyers of IGA, Maxi and Provigo apply equally to online orders. Discounted prices are reflected directly in the product listing. However, some in-store-only promotions (manager specials, end-of-aisle clearance, pre-packaged markdown stickers) may not appear online. Check the weekly flyer on the store's website before placing your order to take full advantage of current deals.
Is same-day delivery possible?
Yes, same-day delivery is available through certain services. Instacart is the most well-known for this, with delivery windows sometimes as short as one to two hours, depending on the area and time of day. Some IGA stores also offer same-day delivery through their Voilà service in certain parts of Montreal. Note that same-day slots fill up quickly — especially on evenings and weekends — so book your slot as early in the day as possible.
5. See also
These related guides may be useful:
- Finding home-country ingredients in Quebec — for products not found in standard grocery chains.
- Food delivery in Quebec — for evenings when you don't cook at all.
- Family budget for immigrants — planning your monthly food budget.
6. Official sources
- IGA online: iga.net
- Maxi online: maxi.ca
- Provigo online: provigo.ca
- Instacart: instacart.ca
- Goodfood: makegoodfood.ca
Author's Note: in-store pickup is my favourite online grocery format — I order the night before, pick up the next morning without queuing or searching for products in aisles. For very busy weeks, it's a considerable time-saver for often zero or very low cost. I reserve home delivery for truly impossible situations — illness, bad weather, heavy drink orders.
