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Not long ago, before people became comfortable with buying food online, there was Costco.
Costco dominated the big box subscription marketplace for many years and still do actually, but in recent times they have faced stiff competition from other offline brands, but also online ones as well.
One of its newest competitors on the scene is 5-year old Thrive Market who started in 2014 with a mission to address the geographical and monetary challenges that bar communities from healthy food.
Here we give you a quick review on the retailer based on their offerings, service and first-hand experience to help you make an informed decision.
How to get start ed
- Register for free to browse the catalog and see member savings. You’ll receive 25% off your first purchase.
- Start your 30-day trial: with your first purchase on Thrive Market, you’ll start a free 30-day membership trial. Cancel anytime.
- If you’re a fan, join Thrive Market for just $59.95 and a year’s worth of savings on the retailer’s healthy product selection. When you join, you’re also sponsoring a free membership for a low-income family. Continue reading to learn more >>>
The membership fee comes back 360
To get started on Thrive Market there’s an annual membership fee of $59.95. However, you most likely will never lose on the membership as most members say they recoup the cost in the first few orders. Plus, if that’s not the case, at the end of the year when you renew, Thrive Market will refund the difference.
You’re supporting a social cause
With their mission being focused on making healthy living affordable and easy for everyone when you buy a Thrive Market membership, you’re also donating to a low-income household.
It might be a veteran, teacher or student and you also have the option at checkout to donate your savings.
Diet starter kits help you avoid the hassle
Whether you’re on a Keto, Paleo, Whole30 or Vegan diet, Thrive Market knows finding the right foods can be a hassle, so they created starter kits.
They have put together all the right items you need to prepare healthy meals that abide by your dietary needs and budget.
These bundles or starter kits go beyond food, and if you’re looking for household cleaning products in one go, they got you too.
Coupons and promo codes galore
Once you become a member, you’ll get almost daily emails with 30% off coupons or free gifts. Of course, these emails can get spammy after a while, but you can always unsubscribe or happily accept the savings.
A wide range of brands to suit your taste
If you’re a picky shopper then you’re certainly not short on brands from which to pick, choose and refuse.
On their store, you can find over 5,000 products from organic and eco-friendly brands like Primal Kitchen, Garden of Life, Dr. Bronner’s, Simple Mills, Annie’s, Burt’s Bees, Seventh Generation, KIND, Braggs, and even their own custom Thrive Market brand.
Free shipping over $49, might be a deal breaker
Free shipping is only an option after you’ve spent $49. Depending on your budget, this might be a deal breaker, however, you can always go over the $49 mark by doing some meal planning in advance.
Create a list of items you will need for a few weeks and only shop when you have a list long enough to go over the free shipping threshold.
It’s likely to be cheaper than your local grocer or Amazon
As always, you’re going to find items that might be a bit cheaper at your local Trader Joe’s or farmer’s market and vice versa. At the end of the day, you shop online mostly for convenience, not for always getting the best price.
It is important to factor all the overheads that enable you to get that organic product, whether from your smartphone or your local grocer. Be price conscious of course, but also understand what goes into that cost.
With all that considered, Thrive Market’s prices for most items are far less when compared to your average local grocer or health food store. See below.
Here’s another comparison between Thrive Market and Amazon Groceries:
- NOW Foods Peppermint Oil, 4 oz (Thrive Market: $12.29, Amazon Groceries: $15.20).
- Mehdi Reishi Organic Reishi Mushroom Extract, 30 Packets (Thrive Market: $34.99, Amazon Groceries: $44.99)
- Ancient Nutrition Bone Broth Protein, Chocolate ( Thrive Market: $39.59, Amazon Groceries: $39.56)
- Primal Kitchen Green Goddess Avocado Oil Dressing & Marinade, 8 oz ( Thrive Market: $5.89, Amazon Groceries: $10.79)
Is Thrive Market right for you?
If you’re someone who loves holding actual produce in your hands and reading labels at face level before buying, then Thrive Market might not be your first choice.
However, if you’re someone who likes to experiment with different foods, recipes and try out health products, then Thrive Market is worth every penny.
If you’re worried about spoiled or damaged goods, like any retailer they have a generous return policy (except for the usual things like intimates and perishables), you can shop with peace of mind. If anything is ever wrong with your order, let them know here within 7 days of purchase.
For us, the benefit of having healthy, organic items at the click of a finger outweighed any disadvantage. You’re paying on average, less money to have convenience and quality delivered right to your doorstep. But, this all comes down to personal preference.
If you’re thinking of making healthy choices in your life or going on a fitness journey, the shopping process can be a painful one. Having a one-stop shop for all your organic and non-GMO items makes it easier to stick to your wellness goals and achieve optimal health.
Plus, this not only applies to food but also items like organic, scent-free deodorants, clay masks and most of your favorite beauty and household products.
Finally, we tried it out for you!
To help you make a more informed decision, we decided to try out Thrive Market and see if what was really worth considering. This is what we found. (Click on images to enlarge)
Thrive Market app Thrive Market app Package arrival Message from Thrive Market Unboxing Receipt & Savings
We found the shopping process on Thrive Market to be smooth and hassle-free from start to finish.
Firstly, the mobile app is clean and targeted to your personal taste based on a short quiz you take when signing up, making it easy to discover new items and brands. Plus, you can also pick from Trending and Thrive Market curated lists.
Our package arrived within three days (85% of their shipments do) and our receipt showed $45.70 in savings. Of course, the savings figure is open to scrutiny, but we saved up to 20% on some items for a total price of $53.00.
Overall, the items were exactly what was promised, and nothing came damaged or had to be returned. Your experience might vary, but we were satisfied with our purchase and will order again.
Start a free 30-day trial to Thrive Market>>>
Get 25% off your first order>>>
