What Is Target Grocery Delivery?
Target is one of the largest retailers in the country, with nearly 2,000 stores. Since 2017, Target has offered same-day grocery delivery through its partner Shipt. That means a personal shopper walks the aisles of your local Target, picks out your groceries and household items, and brings them to your door — often within a few hours.
Target also offers two other ways to get your shopping done without walking the store: Drive Up, a free curbside pickup service, and Order Pickup, free in-store pickup at the guest services desk. For seniors who want to avoid carrying heavy bags or standing in long checkout lines, all three options are worth knowing about.
This guide covers everything you need to decide whether Target grocery delivery is right for you or your parent: how it works, what it costs, how to save with the Target Circle Card, whether you can use EBT, and how it compares to other delivery options like Instacart and Walmart Grocery.
How Target Delivery Works With Shipt
Target does not run its own delivery fleet. Instead, it partners with Shipt, a same-day delivery service. When you place a delivery order on Target.com or in the Target app, a Shipt shopper receives your list, goes to your nearest Target, shops for your items, checks out, and drives the order to your address.
Here is what the process looks like step by step:
- Browse and add items. Open Target.com or the Target app, search for groceries and household essentials, and add them to your cart. You can shop by aisle or use the search bar for specific products.
- Choose delivery. At checkout, select "Same-day delivery" as your fulfillment method. You will see available delivery windows, often starting within one to two hours.
- Pay. Enter your payment method. You can use a credit card, debit card, Target Circle Card, or SNAP and EBT for eligible food items in most states.
- Track your shopper. Once a Shipt shopper claims your order, you can see their name, photo, and live location in the app. You can message them if an item is out of stock.
- Receive your order. The shopper brings your bags to your door. You can request contactless delivery and add a tip in the app.
Most Target stores offer delivery between roughly 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM, seven days a week. Delivery hours depend on your local store and shopper availability.
⚠️ Know the Delivery Area
Target delivery is not available everywhere. Smaller towns and rural areas may have limited or no Shipt shoppers. Before you count on it, enter your ZIP code on Target.com to confirm same-day delivery is available at your address. If it is not, see our guide to grocery delivery for rural seniors for alternatives.
What Target Grocery Delivery Costs
The cost of Target grocery delivery depends on whether you have a Shipt membership. There are two ways to pay:
| Option | Membership Cost | Delivery Fee | Minimum Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shipt membership (annual) | $99/year | Free on orders $35+ | $35 for free delivery |
| Shipt membership (monthly) | $10.99/month | Free on orders $35+ | $35 for free delivery |
| Pay per order (no membership) | $0 | $7.99 per order | No minimum, but fees apply |
For seniors who order groceries once a week or more, the annual Shipt membership at $99 per year pays for itself quickly. If you order fewer than six times a year, paying the $7.99 per-order fee may be cheaper. The $35 minimum for free delivery with a membership is easy to reach with a typical weekly grocery run — milk, bread, produce, and a few household items add up fast.
Keep in mind that the delivery fee or membership does not cover the tip for your shopper. Tips are added separately at checkout and are not included in the $99 or $10.99 price.
Saving 5% With the Target Circle Card
If you shop at Target regularly — whether for delivery, Drive Up, or in-store — the Target Circle Card (formerly called the RedCard) is one of the simplest ways to save money. It gives you:
- 5% off almost every purchase, including grocery delivery orders placed through Target.com or the app
- Free two-day shipping on many items from Target.com
- An extra 30 days for returns
- No annual fee
The Circle Card comes in two versions. The debit version links directly to your checking account — money comes out like a debit card, but you still get the 5% discount. The credit version functions like a store credit card. For seniors who want to avoid adding another credit line, the debit version is the safer choice. You get the same 5% off either way.
The 5% discount stacks with Target Circle offers (digital coupons you load in the app), so you can often save more than 5% on sale items. Over a year of weekly grocery deliveries, 5% off a $80 order adds up to about $200 in savings — more than the $99 Shipt membership costs.
Using SNAP and EBT for Target Grocery Delivery
Target accepts SNAP and EBT online for eligible food items in most states. This is a big help for seniors who rely on food assistance but cannot easily get to the store. Here is how it works:
- Add eligible food items to your cart on Target.com or in the Target app.
- At checkout, select EBT as your payment method and enter your card number.
- EBT covers eligible food items like bread, cereal, fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy, and snacks.
- EBT does not cover delivery fees, tips, alcohol, pet food, household cleaners, or non-food items.
- Keep a debit or credit card on file to pay for the delivery fee, tip, and any non-eligible items.
Not every state and store participates yet, so check your ZIP code on Target.com to confirm EBT is accepted for delivery in your area. For a broader look at EBT delivery options, see our guide to SNAP and EBT grocery delivery for seniors.
Target Drive Up: Free Curbside Pickup
If you can drive to the store but do not want to walk the aisles, Target Drive Up is a free alternative to delivery. There is no membership fee and no minimum order. Here is how it works:
- Place your order on Target.com or in the app and choose "Drive Up" at checkout.
- Wait for the app to notify you that your order is ready (usually within a few hours).
- Drive to your local Target and park in a designated Drive Up spot.
- Tap "I'm on my way" and "I'm here" in the app. A team member brings your bags out and loads them into your car.
Drive Up is completely free with no membership, which makes it one of the best deals in grocery pickup. The only catch is that you need a way to get to the store. For seniors who have given up driving, see our guide to grocery delivery for seniors who don't drive for delivery-focused options.
Target Pharmacy and Prescription Delivery
Many Target stores have a CVS Pharmacy inside. If you take regular prescriptions, you can use the CVS Pharmacy app or website to manage refills. CVS offers prescription delivery through its own service — you can have medications mailed to your home or delivered same-day through CVS Pharmacy delivery in many areas.
This is separate from Target grocery delivery, but it is worth knowing about because it solves a common problem for seniors: getting to the pharmacy. Ask your CVS pharmacist inside Target whether prescription delivery is available at your location, or call CVS at 1-800-SHOP-CVS (1-800-746-7287).
Pros and Cons of Target Grocery Delivery for Seniors
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Same-day delivery through Shipt in most cities | Delivery not available in all rural areas |
| 5% off every order with Target Circle Card | Shipt membership ($99/year) needed for free delivery |
| Accepts SNAP and EBT for eligible food in most states | Tips for shopper are extra (15-20% recommended) |
| Free Drive Up curbside pickup with no membership | Shopper substitutes may not match your preference |
| Large selection of groceries, household, and pharmacy items | Prices may be slightly higher than Walmart or Kroger |
| Easy-to-use app with order tracking and messaging | Requires a smartphone or computer to place orders |
Target vs. Other Grocery Delivery Services
How does Target delivery stack up against other popular grocery delivery services for seniors? Here is a quick comparison:
| Service | Delivery Cost | Membership | Key Benefit for Seniors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Target (via Shipt) | Free over $35 with membership | $99/year or $10.99/month | 5% off with Circle Card, large store selection |
| Walmart Grocery | Free over $35 | $98/year (Walmart+) | Low prices, wide grocery selection, EBT online |
| Instacart | Free over $60 with Express | $99/year (Express) or $3.99-$7.99/order | Shops multiple stores (Costco, Kroger, CVS) |
| Kroger | Free over $35 | Varies by region | Strong grocery selection, loyalty fuel points |
Target's biggest advantage is the Circle Card 5% discount, which no other major grocery delivery service offers. If you already shop at Target for household items, clothing, or electronics, combining those with grocery delivery makes the Shipt membership and Circle Card a strong value. For the lowest base prices on groceries alone, Walmart tends to win. For the widest store selection in one order, Instacart is the leader.
Step-by-Step: How to Place Your First Target Delivery Order
If you have never used Target grocery delivery before, here is a simple walkthrough. You can do this on a computer or a smartphone — the steps are the same either way.
- Go to Target.com or open the Target app. If you do not have an account, create one with your email address and a password. You will need to enter your delivery address to confirm service is available in your area.
- Browse or search for groceries. Use the search bar for specific items, or browse categories like "Grocery," "Pantry," and "Household Essentials." Add items to your cart by clicking the plus button.
- Choose same-day delivery. At checkout, select "Same-day delivery." You will see a calendar of available delivery windows. Pick one that works for you — most stores offer slots starting within one to two hours.
- Add your payment method. Use a credit card, debit card, Target Circle Card, or EBT for eligible food items. If you have a Shipt membership, log in to Shipt within the Target app so your free delivery is applied.
- Add a tip for your shopper. The app suggests 15-20%. You can adjust this up to two hours after delivery if your shopper did a great job or had problems.
- Track your order. When a shopper claims your order, you will see their name and photo. You can message them about substitutions if an item is out of stock. You will get a notification when they are on the way.
- Receive your groceries. The shopper brings your bags to your door. You can request contactless delivery by leaving a note in the app, such as "Please leave at the front door and knock."
⚠️ Tip Your Shopper
Shipt shoppers rely on tips as a large part of their income. A standard tip is 15 to 20 percent of your order total, or at least $5 for a small order. You add the tip in the app before checkout, and you can adjust it up to two hours after delivery. If a shopper carefully picks your produce and communicates well about substitutions, a higher tip is a kind way to say thank you.
Tips for Seniors Using Target Delivery
Here are practical tips to get the most out of Target grocery delivery, especially if you are new to online shopping or ordering for a parent:
- Get the Target Circle Card. The 5% discount applies to every delivery order. The debit version links to your checking account and has no annual fee. It pays for itself in a few weeks of weekly orders.
- Load Target Circle offers in the app. These are free digital coupons that stack with the 5% Circle Card discount. Browse the "Circle offers" section before you shop and tap to add them to your account.
- Set substitution preferences. When an item is out of stock, your shopper will ask if you want a replacement. In the app, you can set preferences in advance: "Allow substitutions," "Ask me," or "Do not substitute." "Ask me" is the safest choice for seniors who care about specific brands.
- Order early in the day. Delivery windows fill up fast on weekends and holidays. Placing your order in the morning gives you the best selection of time slots.
- Keep a list of staples. Most apps let you reorder from your previous purchases. After your first few orders, you can reorder your weekly staples with a few taps instead of browsing from scratch.
- Use Drive Up when you can drive. If you are able to get to the store but cannot carry heavy bags, Drive Up is free and has no minimum. You save the delivery fee and the tip.
- Watch the order total. Target prices on the app include the same prices you would see in the store, but some items may be priced slightly differently online. Review your final total before checking out.
Common Questions From Seniors and Caregivers
Does Target deliver groceries to seniors?
Yes. Target offers same-day grocery delivery through Shipt in most cities and suburbs. A Shipt membership costs $99 per year or $10.99 per month and includes free delivery on orders over $35. Without a membership, you pay a $7 delivery fee per order.
Can I use SNAP or EBT for Target grocery delivery?
Target accepts SNAP and EBT online for eligible food items in most states. You can add your EBT card at checkout when ordering through Target.com or the Target app. EBT cannot be used for delivery fees, tips, or non-food items, so keep a debit or credit card on file for those charges.
What is Target Drive Up and is it free for seniors?
Drive Up is Target's free curbside pickup service. You place an order online or in the app, drive to the store, park in a designated spot, and a team member loads your bags into your car. There is no membership fee and no minimum order. It is a good option if you can drive to the store but do not want to walk the aisles.
Does the Target Circle Card give a discount on grocery delivery?
Yes. The Target Circle Card (formerly RedCard) gives you 5% off almost every purchase, including grocery delivery orders placed through Target.com or the Target app. It also gives free two-day shipping and an extra 30 days for returns. You can link it to a debit card or use the credit version.
How much do you tip a Shipt shopper for Target delivery?
A standard tip is 15 to 20 percent of your order total, or at least $5 for a small order. You add the tip in the app before checkout, and you can adjust it up to two hours after delivery. Shipt shoppers rely on tips as a large part of their income.
Next Steps: Getting Started With Target Delivery
If Target grocery delivery sounds like a good fit for you or your parent, here is what to do next:
- Check availability. Go to Target.com, enter your ZIP code, and confirm same-day delivery is available at your address.
- Get a Target Circle Card. Apply at Target.com or in the app. The debit version is free and gives you 5% off every order. There is no annual fee.
- Try a Shipt membership. You can start with a free trial if one is available, or sign up for $10.99 per month and cancel anytime if it does not work out.
- Place your first order. Start with a small list of staples — bread, milk, eggs, produce, and household basics. This lets you test the service without a big investment.
- Compare with Drive Up. If you can drive to the store, try Drive Up for your next order. It is free and has no minimum, so you can see which option you prefer.
If you are a caregiver setting this up for a parent, walk through the first order together. Show them how to track the shopper in the app and how to adjust the tip. Once they are comfortable, they can place orders on their own. For help with broader delivery needs, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 to find local assistance programs for seniors.