The online grocery delivery market has experienced significant growth in recent years, with apps like Instacart, BigBasket, and Coles leading the charge in their respective regions, For entrepreneurs and businesses looking to enter the online grocery space, analyzing the strategies, features, and technologies of these leading platforms can offer valuable insights.

Whether you're partnering with a grocery delivery app development company or building a custom solution in-house, understanding what sets these apps apart can give your startup a serious advantage. Let’s break down the strengths of each platform and highlight the key takeaways to help you build an app like Coles, develop a BigBasket-like app, or create the next big thing in grocery tech.

The Big Three: Instacart, BigBasket, and Coles App

1. Instacart (USA)

Strengths:

  • Partners with multiple major grocery chains

  • Real-time inventory syncing

  • Advanced delivery and scheduling features

  • In-app tipping and shopper rating systems

Key Features:

  • Personal shoppers

  • AI-based product recommendations

  • Substitution suggestions when items are out of stock

  • Multiple payment and delivery options

Lessons for Startups:
 Instacart demonstrates the importance of partnering with existing retailers. If you’re a startup with limited inventory, consider collecting stores instead of managing your stock. A grocery app development company can integrate multi-store functionality smoothly into your app.

2. BigBasket (India)

Strengths:

  • Operates both as an inventory-based model and a marketplace

  • Strong backend supply chain and warehouse management

  • Subscription model for daily essentials

Key Features:

  • Scheduled delivery and express delivery

  • Smart shopping lists

  • Wallet integration and loyalty programs

  • Inventory management for vendors

Lessons for Startups:
 If you're exploring BigBasket-like app development, focus on backend logistics and warehouse control. BigBasket’s model ensures product availability and delivery speed by owning part of the supply chain. This is especially relevant for markets with inconsistent third-party retail systems.

3. Coles App (Australia)

Strengths:

  • Smooth integration with Coles’ offline presence

  • Clean, intuitive user interface

  • Loyalty rewards through the Flybuys program

  • Excellent product filtering and dietary preference tagging

Key Features:

  • Order tracking

  • Store pickup or doorstep delivery

  • Recipe integration and meal planning

  • Barcode scanning and smart search

Lessons for Startups:
 When building an app, it’s essential to ensure that your digital presence complements physical stores (if any). Loyalty programs, customer insights, and personalized experiences give Coles an edge in retention and customer engagement.

Core Features Your Grocery App Must Have

Regardless of the model you choose (Instacart’s marketplace, BigBasket’s hybrid, or Coles’ brand-first approach), a successful grocery app should offer:

  • User-friendly UI/UX

  • Real-time inventory updates

  • Multiple payment options

  • Order scheduling and tracking

  • Loyalty and rewards programs

  • Push notifications and offers

  • Secure login and data protection

A dependable app development company can assist you in creating and expanding these features according to market demands and user feedback.

Choosing the Right Development Approach

 Custom Development

For startups that want full control and scalability, custom development is the best route. You can either hire a team or partner with a grocery app development company with proven expertise in building scalable, secure, and user-friendly apps.

 White Label Solutions

If time-to-market is critical, a white-label solution can be customized to look and function like Instacart or BigBasket. This is a great option for MVPs or testing new markets.

 BigBasket Like App Development

To develop an app, you’ll need features like:

  • Inventory & warehouse integration

  • Vendor and supplier dashboards

  • Scheduled deliveries

  • Subscription management

Your tech partner should also support multi-lingual and multi-currency features if you’re targeting diverse regions.

 Build an App Like Coles

To build an app, focus on:

  • Online and in-store shopping

  • Loyalty card integration

  • Personalized product filters

  • Simple navigation and minimal design

Coles’ app is a strong example of how digital can enhance a traditional retail business when done right.

Tech Stack Recommendations

When working with a development team, ensure they use the latest technology for a smooth user experience:

  • Frontend: Flutter, React Native, Swift (iOS), Kotlin (Android)

  • Backend: Node.js, Django, or Ruby on Rails

  • Database: PostgreSQL, MongoDB

  • Cloud: AWS, Google Cloud, Azure

  • APIs: Payment gateways (Stripe, Razorpay), location (Google Maps), SMS/email (Twilio, SendGrid)

A seasoned grocery app development company will not only help you choose the right stack but also ensure future scalability and maintenance.

Conclusion: Build Smart, Scale Fast

Whether you want to develop a BigBasket-like app, build an app like Coles, or take inspiration from Instacart, the key is to focus on the user experience, supply chain efficiency, and market-specific needs.

Partnering with a professional company can accelerate your journey from idea to market-ready product. Learn from the best, choose the right model for your region, and don’t compromise on tech quality.

The future of grocery shopping is mobile. Make sure your startup is ready to deliver—literally.