Personal Shopper Jobs: Get Paid to Be a Personal Grocery Shopper

There are a few options for finding personal shopper jobs.

Before we get to those options, let’s see how much you can actually make.

How Much Does a Personal Shopper Make?

The exact amount you can get paid to shop for others really depends on a few factors.

For example, local grocery stores that hire personal shoppers on an hourly contract basis, can pay up to $25 an hour.

It is the same with personal grocery shopper apps and companies like Instacart.

Now, if you decide to start your own personal shopping business, you can, of course, charge what you want.

But the average seems to be between $20 to $50 per hour depending on the size of the grocery list.

You can also charge an extra fee of 10% or so of the grocery total.

The average personal shopper salary, according to Glassdoor is around $34,429.

So you can make decent living doing this.

And as we find out later, there are ways to make even more money by working the process into your daily routine.

Personal Grocery Shopper Jobs

So, how do you become a personal shopper?

Where do you even start?

Here are a few ways you can get started in this business:

1. Instacart: No Car? No Problem!

• Official site: https://shoppers.instacart.com/

If you’re looking for a cash job near you, Instacart is a great option.

Instacart connects shoppers like you with customers who want fresh groceries delivered to their doors.

Instacart currently has opportunities for Full-Service and In-Store Shoppers.

So, you do not need a car to work with Instacart.

The company offers weekly pay and a flexible schedule.

You can start earning and get paid quickly.

Work peak days to maximize your earnings and take time off when you want!

What’s the right fit for you?

Full-Service Shoppers shop and deliver orders as an independent contractor.

You must have access to a car because you will shop and deliver orders.

Instacart’s technology gives customers access to their favorite stores online.

They order groceries from anywhere.

Full-Service Shoppers receive these orders through an app, then shop and deliver the groceries to the customer’s home

Basic requirements for Full-Service shoppers

• Be 18 years old or older
• Be eligible to work in the US
• Always have access to a vehicle
• 2+ years of driving experience
• Always have access to a smartphone (iPhone 4s/Android 4.0 or newer)
• The ability to lift 40 lbs. with or without assistance

The same requirements apply to In-Store Shoppers, except no vehicle is required because the In-Store Shoppers shop orders within a store.

Simply, handpick the customer’s order, bag it for pick up and you’re done.

Instacart is perfect for those already involved in the grocery industry, such as:

• Cashiers
• Stockers
• Customer service representatives
• Store managers
• Merchandisers
• Produce buyers
• Butchers
• Bakers
• Deli clerks
• Baristas
• Kitchen manager
• Chefs

It is also great if you are involved in the transportation industry, such as a:

• Courier
• Driver
• Truck driver
• Professional driver
• Taxi driver
• Food delivery driver

Instacart especially wants to hire those who provide services on ride-sharing or driving networks such as:

• Lyft
• Uber
• DoorDash
• Postmates

Those in the above professions can weave Instacart work into their days and earn great money.

But, providing services on the Instacart platform is great for anyone looking for flexible opportunities.

2. Shipt: Full-service Shoppers Only

• Official site: https://www.shipt.com/

Shipt is a member-based, on-demand grocery delivery service.

It is looking for reliable people to both shop for groceries and deliver to them to its members.

Like with Instacart, you can earn money and set your own schedule.

The service is available in 72 cities and counting.

Shipt partners with retailers so that you have instant access to groceries and other items.

The company states you can make up to $25 an hour working for them.

Shift Requirements

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a reliable vehicle (15 years old or newer)
• Access to an iPhone (iOS 8 or newer) or Android (4.4.2 or newer)
• Valid U.S. driver’s license and auto insurance
• Pass a thorough background check
• Insulated cooler bag
• Knowledge of produce selection
• Ability to lift 25+ pounds

Please note, Shipt conducts in-depth interviews, reviews driving records, accesses background checks, and requires vehicle inspections.

3. WeGoShop: Start Your Own Business

• Official site: https://www.wegoshop.com/

Want to step up your grocery delivery game?

If so, WeGoShop invites you to start your own personalized grocery delivery business.

For  an annual fee of $499, WeGoShop will:

• Set you up with a mobile-optimized web page and ordering system
• Provide free updates and web maintenance
• Allow you to choose a territory currently not covered
• Allow you to set your own hours and rates
• Give you a @WeGoShop.com company email account
• Provide you with a toll-free voicemail extension
• Create customized graphics for your business
• Give you 1,000 full-color business cards
• Provide tips and tricks
• Provide phone and email support
• Connect you with the private WeGoShop Owner’s Group and
• Give you an opportunity to earn through the owner referral bonus program.

There are no royalty payments nor hidden fees. There is no profit sharing nor fine print.

Once you pay your annual licensing fee, the rate for each following year is locked in and will not increase as long as you renew annually.

You can cancel your term and discontinue service at any time.

4. Go it Alone: Forget the Licensing Fee

Maybe you fancy yourself as an entrepreneur.

If you are organized and brave, you could always start your own grocery delivery business and skip the licensing fee.

Lots of people you know could benefit from utilizing a personal shopper.

Your prices could range from $20 to $50 per hour if you are collecting items on a list and unpacking upon delivery.

Of course, you would need a reliable car and time to fill orders and make deliveries.

Creating flyers and business cards will help promote your business.

You should also create some grocery checklists to share with customers.

Most importantly, you will need to figure out how to collect payments.

You could always consider setting up your own website and app.

More than likely, you will need to pay upfront and receive the money back upon delivery.

5. Work with Local Grocery Stores

Did you know some grocery stores, including some grocery stores near you, also offer their own in house personal shopping/delivery services?

It is not very well-known, but some actually do.

There are some, like Dierbergs that work through apps like Shipt, but there are other companies that do this independently.

Companies like Safeway, Hy-Vee, Jewel Osco and SpartanNash are always looking for personal shoppers to add to their teams.

Finding open positions is as easy as searching for ’em on job search engines.

All you do is search for “personal shopper jobs” and you get a list of grocery stores near you that offer such  positions.

Here are some listings on:

• Indeed
• Monster

Working directly for a store is a great way to become a personal grocery shopper and enjoy the traditional benefits of being a full-time/part-time employee.

Your turn

What do you think about becoming a personal shopper?

Which of the above options is right for you?

And if you already make money as a personal shopper, please share your experience along with any tips you have for anyone interested in getting paid to be a personal shopper.