Paper or plastic? I'll take a box.

For those of you who understand the frustration of going to the grocery store to find that your favorite brand has been replaced with a cheaper, less-appealing knock-off, you will be happy that you can probably find it at the same place you pay your bills. A couple years in the making, Amazon Grocery now offers more than 22,000 non-perishable items and provides its superior shipping services while keeping you updated with special offers and new items.

Now I know what you're thinking, "What is so convenient about that when I need it now?" Here's the catch...what if the local store doesn't have what you need? Then where do you go? Another store. So then you repeat that process until you give up - due to multiple trips - and eventually buy something similar, to be ultimately disappointed. The benefit online is that special varieties of products or regional favorites can be easily found with a few clicks rather than unnecessarily running around town.

In addition, value is a concern. "What is economical about shipping a jar of my favorite salsa?" Amazon Grocery might have your salsa in a multiple pack - or even a case - which helps them keep their per-unit costs competitive.

There are also questions with shipping. Not every item will make sense for an online purchase. For heavy or bulky items, you'll be safer sticking to your store since those may cost more than their weight/size to ship. Also, you won't want items not worth waiting for. Some items don't ship immediately - most within a few days. Although, your items could qualify for free shipping. At least you won't have to worry about sales tax.

The most intriguing feature of Amazon Grocery is their interactive shopping list, making it easier to locate and track routine buys. As with all Amazon products, there are reviews, ratings, and suggestions which you can take advantage of while adding items to your cart.

All in all, shopping for grocery items online is nice, but may only be convenient for particular items. It doesn't seem to eliminate the need for a trip to the store, unless you are searching for one item in particular.

Another alternative to shopping at the store would be paying extra for a local home delivery service. Kroger stores offer this service, HomeShop® to Colorado customers through King Soopers/City Market, and Alaska customers through the Fred Meyer chain. This type of service is especially handy for elderly and disabled individuals who can't physically shop at the store. I'd probably take advantage during the next blizzard.

Will other grocers follow suit? Time will tell.