As the Philippines reels in record-high surges of COVID-19 cases, perhaps it’s time to consider online grocer options if you haven’t yet.
The government extended the hard lockdown or enhanced community quarantine in the Greater Manila Area for at least another week, beginning Monday, April 5.
Grocery and drug stores have a huge potential to be superspreader venues as people flock to the establishments to panic buy. I’ve heard the queues at the markets are crazy.
If you know how to use Lazada or Shopee for your online shopping, take time to learn how to use online grocer options and stay home. If my 66-year-old dad was able to do it without the guidance of his kids, you can do it too.
Here are several options that I’ve tried personally:
Grocery stores
COOP Grocer
This is like Rustan’s. It’s a good collection of mid- to high-end items aside from the budget essentials.
GrocerGenie PH
This one is comparable to Puregold. Complete – not a lot of high-end options but it likely has most of your needs.
All Day Market
The All Day Market not only covers your grocery needs, but even household items like furniture, appliances, and even gadgets.
Parents can also shop for new toys for their kids here.
Zagana – Farm to Kitchen via GrabMart
When they first launched, they had a lot of problems, but it’s much better and faster now. Partnering with Grab was key to fixing their systems, I guess.
We just ordered the sweetest honeydew melons from them recently, and their vegetable selection is very fresh.
7-Eleven via Foodpanda
The all-famous convenience store is available for groceries via food delivery app Foodpanda. Look for branches closer to you.
Lazada
Lazada carries grocery items too. In fact, more than a million items are listed in its grocery category.
Shopee
Shopee has its own selection of groceries as well. You can also search within the category labeled “Groceries” only.
Assad Mini Mart
This now has an online store. For those who ask me where to get all their spices, their selection is complete.
All About Baking
Are you up for the ube cheese pandesal craze, part 2? They have everything.
FrozenMNL
Snack central. Think of your favorite snack, they probably have it. Plugging: Our Mimi & Bros comes from here.
The Good Meat
This is owned by Pilmico Farms, so you know everything is farm-fresh. Their boneless crispy pata is quite a game-changer. I get my eggs from here too.
San Miguel Foods, Inc. – Great Food Solutions
They have ready-to-eat ulam (viands). I know they have an online San Miguel Mart now. Their kare-kare and chicken kaarage are delicious!
Kraver’s Canteen
They have an online grocer option that has a healthy selection of Korean products. Super okay! Plus their food, of course, as they’re one of the bigger cloud kitchens out there.
Landers Superstore
They deliver, FYI. Go to their website.
WalterMart Supermarket
They have PayMaya as a payment option, so this is perfect.
Lucky Mart
For those in the South! You might say I forgot about you. They deliver Mondays to Fridays! The locations are in Makati, Parañaque, Muntinlupa, Bacoor, Pasay, and Taguig.
MerryMart
Another option for your grocery needs.
Mrs. Garcia’s Meats
For your meat options.
Pick.A.Roo, SM Markets, AyalaMalls Neighboorhood Assistant – Ana Centrio
All good online supermarket options. Honestly, at this point, pick the one closest to you.
MetroMart Philippines
Very solid option. Lots of choices, and crucial among them S&R is there so no need to be a member to purchase their products.
Robinsons Supermarket
A lot of people are vouching for them too.
Drug stores
There are also online options for your medicinal needs.
Mercury Drug
Watsons
Mediclick PH
Generika Drugstore
Southstar Drug
Mondial Direct
Check out Mondial Direct for your COVID-19 protection essentials. They have various masks, and cleaning and sanitizing stuff. Low- to high-end selection also. – with Rappler Research/Rappler.com
Edward Bugia is co-owner and executive chef to a plethora of restaurants scattered across the metro. He is also the head of the food & beverage division of the private equity group MFT Group of Companies, that seeks to expand restaurant brands and bring them abroad.
For this article, Rappler built on an initial list originally posted by the author on Facebook.