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As the coronavirus pandemic continues, many families are re-thinking the way they shop for groceries, particularly meat. Consumer behavior and outbreaks linked to meatpacking plants have caused disruptions throughout the supply chain. Many Americans who venture out of their homes to purchase groceries are confronted by empty store shelves.

Thankfully, meal delivery services make weathering the experience more enjoyable. Not only can you avoid the new protocols such as mask wearing and sanitizing grocery carts, you can find everything you need for hearty meals at home, all from your computer. A meat delivery service is also likely to have a wider selection than would be available from your corner store – everything from organic and grass fed beef and boneless chops to dry-aged steaks and wild caught salmon.

We researched some of the most popular meat delivery services available online and reviewed them based on metrics like variety of cuts, meat quality, price point, specialty services, average cost of shipping, and more.

Snake River Farms

The Snake River Farm meat delivery service is an immediate standout because of its special offerings. Not only do they specialize in dry-aged USDA prime cuts of beef, they are also one of the only to offer American Wagyu beef, which is renown for its flavor and marbling, which creates a buttery texture. All cows come from sustainable and human farms in the Pacific Northwest. Its other offerings, which include Kurobuta Berkshire pork raised on Midwestern and Idahoan farms, are just as outstanding.

Snake River Farms is known for its exclusive (and pricey) cuts of rare beef, notably its Wagyu. Offerings include American Wagyu tomahawk steaks, in addition to wagyu hot dogs and burgers. Products are characterized as Gold Grade (highest quality and accordingly high price tag) or Black Grade (still outstanding but slightly more affordable). They are known for the chef-curated variety and gift packs.

Snake River Farms advertises several sustainable ranching practices such as rotational grazing and composting of cattle waste. Even their shipping foam is compostable or can be used as a fire starter. The company is additionally a founding member of the organization Beef Counts, which provides food to needy families.

As for shipping, costs will vary depending on how soon you want your goods. Like most meal delivery service kits, meat comes vacuum-sealed and frozen.

Porter Road

Hailing from Nashville, Porter Road has diverse offerings of pork, lamb, chicken, and prime beef, all from farms in Tennessee and Kentucky. Beef cattle are pasture raised and free to roam, primarily grass-fed but grain-finished. Like some other subscription boxes, it uses plant-based packing foam that doubles as a fire-starter. The company is one of the few to deliver meat fresh, though some cuts will arrive frozen. Options range from a la carte (which include typical far such as pork chops, New York Strip, ground beef and ribeye, in addition to special offerings like lamb chops, Denver steak, and fresh andouille) to themed boxes (beef boxes, pork boxes, or “best of” subscriptions). Subscriptions vary from delivery every 2, 4, or 8 weeks. Subscription boxes also have the flexibility of adding on items such as chicken on a box-by-box basis.

The most basic subscription box comes in at $50, with specialty offerings such as the breakfast box and the Grill Master Box coming in at $70. A recent “Stay at Home” bundle, which includes dry-aged ground beef, will net you an impressive 11 pounds of meat. Like many other services at this time, demand is high, so shipping delays and inventory lags are common.

Butcher Box

Butcher Box is a newer subscription service that places an emphasis on grass-fed, grass finished beef from free range cows. Grass fed beef is higher in antioxidants, omega 3 fatty acids, and vitamins, imparting a richer, meatier flavor compared to its corn-fed counterparts. Grass-fed and finished beef produce less methane and are more sustainable, since cows do not live on feedlots.

Though Butcher Box specializes in grass-fed beef, it also offers vegetarian fed heritage pigs and organic, humanely raised chicken. All their meat products go through processing facilities with fair labor practices.

Butcher Box has a variety of boxes to choose from – all beef, beef and pork, beef and chicken, or a custom creation. Boxes come in two different sizes depending on how many mouths you want to feed with it. Prices begin at $129 monthly, but the best deal is the Custom Box, which allows you to pick and choose from cuts like top sirloin, chick roast, chicken breasts, ground beef and more. Shipping is free, which makes it a standout from some of the other services. Meat comes frozen and vacuum sealed. Keep an eye out for introductory promotions like free add-ons for the life of your subscription.

Rastelli’s

Rastelli’s started as a humble, local operation in New Jersey but has expanded to shipping across the United States. The butcher shop has always put an emphasis on finding the best quality meat possible and sharing a genuine love of food. Consumers can get beef, seafood, and poultry delivered right to their doors knowing that their meat meets strict quality and sustainability standards. For example, Rastelli’s sources their salmon sustainably from the Faroe Islands.

Rastelli’s also delivers on price- a box of boneless, skinless chicken thighs will only run you $35. On the higher end, you can purchase a ribeye box for $179. Uncommon for meat delivery services, Rastelli’s even offers a plant-based sampler box for $99. There are two main options: buy as you go or subscribe to a monthly box of your choosing. The latter option will net you a discount of 5%. The bottom line: if you like high quality meat and supporting a small business, Rastelli’s is a good bet.

Crowd Cow

If you are looking to support local businesses as you consume high quality meat products, Crowd Cow might be a good option for you. The company strives to rethink the meat commodity system by connecting its customers to independent ranches and farms spread throughout the United States and around the globe. Their offerings are diverse, including both American and Japanese Wagyu beef, grass fed beef, chick, pork, bison, and lamb. For those who love seafood, there is also a selection of sustainably sourced, wild caught fish available. As a functional meat directory, consumers have the option of searching for products by type of meat or farm.

Customers have the option of purchasing items from an a la carte menu with offerings such as bone-in pork chops, whole pasture raised chickens, ground beef, Wagyu, and more. They also have store-curated subscriptions with themes like steak and chicken, or combinations thereof. All packaging is recyclable and compostable. For those interested in transparency, each purchase comes with an information card about where the meat is from and how it was raised. With Crowd Cow, you have the comfort of knowing exactly what you are feeding your family while supporting small farm owners across the globe.

Holy Grail Steak Company

The Holy Grail Steak Company is aptly named. If you are looking to experience the very best of beef and you are willing to expand your budget, then the Holy Grail Steak company might be a good option for you. As a fairly new addition to the meat delivery industry, Holy Grail Steak Company is high end and sells prized cuts of American Wagyu in addition to A5-grade Japanese Wagyu. Available fare includes Kobe beef and Hokkaido Snow Beef. Customers have the option of searching through collections like USDA Prime, Wagyu (Japanese and American), and Akaushi.

The Holy Grail offers some of the most impressive offerings on this list but be prepared to pay for it. A 12 pound pack of Wagyu burgers are $169, while steak starter packs (four steaks) run around $249. Customers have the option of making a one-off purchase, making custom orders, and sending curated boxes as gifts. Shipping free on orders over $199, which is easy to do. You also have the option of purchasing gift cards so giftees can create boxes based on their personal preferences. No matter which method you choose, prepare to enjoy meat products that are truly special.

Omaha Steaks

Omaha Steaks has earned its reputation as one of the most prolific meat delivery services, referring to themselves as “America’s Original Butcher.” Indeed, Omaha Steaks has been on every carnivore’s radar for a long time. They have adapted well to evolving consumer tastes and offer a range of grass-fed and grain-finished beef, though their signature items are still grain fed. Unlike many other of the subscription services listed here, Omaha Steaks does not offer organic products. What they may lack in transparency, however, they make up for in sheer volume and diversity of product offerings.

The range of products listed on the website can be overwhelming. You can expect, of course, many different cuts of steaks, which include “king cuts” capable of feeding an entire family. In addition to steak, you can peruse cuts of veal, bison, pork, seafood, and chicken. Outside of meat, there is charcuterie, meal kits, side dishes, desserts, wine, and hot dogs. There are not subscription options per se, but you can opt into monthly grilling or steak boxes. Shipping prices vary based on order total and preference, but shipping times do not appear to be affected by COVID-19. Omaha steaks occasionally runs free shipping promotions, so keep an eye out.

D’Artagnan Foods

If you consider yourself a foodie who enjoys the finer things in life, you will likely enjoy a D’Artagnan box. D’Artagnan is a boutique meat purveyor who prides themselves on their ability to connect customers to fine cuisine. On the menu, you will find classic offers such as American Wagyu and USDA Black Angus beef, in addition to lamb, chicken, duck, and turkey. All meats are antibiotic and hormone free, pasture/sustainably raised, and held to the strictest quality standards.

Their non-meat offerings are what really set D’Artagnan apart. Explore their menu, which includes caviar, foie gras, and charcuterie. An impressive truffle and mushroom collection makes the meat delivery service truly unique. In addition to build-your-own and curated boxes, you also have the ability to search offerings by cooking method (grilling, sous vide), cut, and more. Price wise, D’Artagnan is on the higher side, reflecting the offerings of higher end products. They have a helpful selection of articles for cooking different cuts of meat using different methods. If you are looking to elevate your eating experience (or elevating the eating experience of a friend), D’Artagnan is a good place to start. Keep an eye out for specials like their Freezer Sale, which offers 25% off select products.

Chicago Steak Company

Of the options listed, Chicago Steak Company has most in common with Omaha Steaks. Chicago Steak Company focuses on prime cuts of meat shipped free to your door. It specializes in Prime cuts of beef, which make up the top 2% of all beef cuts. They also sell USDA choice on their site, so look at labels carefully when building your order online. Steak offerings include both wet and dry aged options, with most stating aging times of 4-6 weeks. Available steak options include basic fare such as Top Sirloin, Filet Mignon, New York Strip, Ribeye, and more. Their beef burgers are generously portioned and come in three different types of beef.

All beef is harvested in the Midwestern regions of the United States. For those who are interested in learning more about cooking techniques and the variety of cuts of meats available, the website also includes helpful articles and tutorials. Like Omaha steaks, they do not offer subscription boxes in the conventional sense. They pride themselves on offering high quality steaks, so don’t expect to see much else on their list of offerings. Occasionally, they will offer promotional incentives, particular surrounding holidays (Christmas, Father’s Day, Easter, and more).

Kansas City Steak Company

Just like barbeque, steaks from different regions impart a different flavor, marbling, and other characteristics. The most discerning of carnivores will appreciate the nuance available from a Kansas City Steak. A Kansas City strip, named for the Midwestern cows from which they originated, have excellent marbling, a tender mouthfeel, and a rich flavor.

In addition to their signature Kansas City Strip, steak lovers will also love their UDSA Prime offerings in addition to brisket and beef tenderloin Chateaubriand. Aside from their beef selections, enjoy other meats such as ham, steak burgers, Bacon-wrapped pork chops, and lamb. Like Omaha Steaks, sides such as stuffed potatoes and even desserts are on the menu. Curated gift boxes centered on themes such as Game Day, Father’s Day, and wedding gifts are also available. Short on time and forgot to get someone a present? E-gift certificates are available with instant delivery to your friend or loved one’s email address. If you are looking for a good all-around meat delivery service with few frills, a decent price point, and a good selection, Kansas City Steak Company is a fair contender. Keep an eye out for promotions, like 15% off when you spend $125 or more (not hard to do when stocking up).

Debragga

Have you ever wondered where the country’s best steakhouses get their meats? It’s likely from Debragga. Many of New York’s top restaurants procure their meat from there, a sure sign that you are getting products of the highest quality. Dry-aged steaks are where Debragga really shines. Dry aging is a process by which butchers hang cuts of meat in a climate controlled, humidity-controlled environment. The process can take weeks or even months. As the moisture evaporates from the steaks, enzymes break down and intensify the flavor profile of the meat. The time and effort involved in dry aging makes them a special, once in a while splurge.

Debragga is, at its core, a high quality butcher shop. Dry-aged and Wagyu cuts are their specialty, but you can also find veal, sausage, pork, smoked meat, lamb, and poultry on the menu. All Debragga meat products are free from hormones and antibiotics, and they deliver nationwide. If you are hesitant to leave your home as states reopen, Debragga recently started selling “Eat Well At Home” kits to help people get weeks of provisions during COVID-19. In all, Debragga is a no-frills butcher shop that offers high quality meat at an according price.

As Americans get used to the idea of spending more time at home this summer and into the fall, family meals are becoming more important. The idea of sitting around the table for a meal, once unattainable during busy schedules, has become our new normal. Gather around the table (or around the yard) with friends and family and enjoy a wide range of meats available from mail order steak services.

Using mail order options, you can avoid the grocery store and have high quality, USDA prime meats delivered straight to your door. As an added bonus, a mail order steak service is likely to have a better selection than what you can find from your local grocery store – tender American and Japanese Wagyu, Black Angus Prime, and even Kobe beef are options on the sites we break down here. Find your perfect match based on metrics like meat quality, price point, specialty offerings, variety of cuts, and cost of shipping.

Snake River Farms

Leading the charge is Snake River Farms, and immediate standout for its specialty cuts and outstanding meat quality. Here, you will find USDA Prime, dry-aged cuts of beef in addition to American Wagyu style offerings. Wagyu, prized for its unique flavors and intricate marbling, is so tender that it is often likened to butter in texture. Wagyu is where Snake River Farms really shines, with special offerings like American Wagyu tomahawk in addition to Waygu burgers and hot dogs. All cows are raised on sustainable and humanitarian farms in the Pacific Northwest. In addition to beef, you can also enjoy special offerings like Kurobuta Berkshire pork, raised on farms throughout the Midwest and in Idaho.

All products are characterized as either Gold Grade (highest quality) or Black Grade (still high quality, but more affordable). You have the option of building your own meat packs or enjoying a selection of chef-curated boxes. Shipping costs vary based on the amount you order and how quickly you want to enjoy your food. A common theme in mail-order meat services, your selections will arrive frozen and vacuum-sealed. As an added bonus, Snake River Farms packaging is compostable, plant-based, and can even be used as a fire starter, cutting down on environmental waste.

Chicago Steak Company

If you are looking for an all-around quality mail-order steak service at a reasonable price point, Chicago Steak Company is a good place to start. Focusing on prime cuts of meat delivered to your door, Chicago Steak Company strives to bring the best to every home in America. USDA prime comprises 2% of all beef cuts and is known for its rich flavor. In addition to prime cuts of beef, Chicago Steak Company also offers USDA Choice, so look at your cart carefully when making selections online. If steak is what you’re here for, you’re in luck. Chicago Steak Company offers both wet and dry aged selections, with an average aging time of 4 to 6 weeks. Choose from classic cuts like Filet Mignon, Top Sirloin, New York Strip, and Ribeye. Other offerings, like their steak burgers, are generously portioned and ready to throw on the grill for the perfect summertime meal.

Unsurprisingly, all Chicago Steak Company beef cuts come from cows hailing from the Midwest. They do not offer subscription boxes, but you can choose from monthly theme boxes or curated gift boxes in addition to making your own selections. Look for promotional incentives around holidays like Father’s Day and the Fourth of July.

Omaha Steaks

As the quintessential and original mail-order steak service, Omaha Steaks has earned a spot on this list. As the self-proclaimed “America’s Original Butcher,” Omaha Steaks is well known by every carnivore. Unlike some other steak delivery services, Omaha Steaks has done a good job evolving with changing consumer tastes, with an increased selection of grass-fed products on the menu. If you prefer grass-fed to grain-fed, look through the options carefully, as their signature products are all still grain fed. While they do not offer organic products, they do have a staggering diversity of offerings, beef-based and beyond.

Their steak selection does not disappoint, with all the classics in addition to “king cuts,” which are monstrous portions capable of feeding a family of five. Outside of the eponymous offerings, you can find veal, bison, seafood, chicken, and pork. You won’t find a more diverse selection of products on this list, with side dishes, wine, desserts, and charcuterie also on the menu. For gifts, choose from a wide selection of curated and theme boxes. Your shipping cost will vary based on the amount of food you order and how quickly you want to tuck into it. All items come vacuum sealed and frozen.

Holy Grail Steak Company

If you’re looking for the, well, Holy Grail of steaks, you will likely find it at the Holy Grail Steak Company. If you are looking for a piece of meat that is truly special and are willing to pay an according price for it, Holy Grail Steak Company might be the right mail order steak service for you. A new player in the mail order steak industry, Holy Grail Steak Company is high end and specializes in elite cuts such as Japanese and American Wagyu, USDA Black Angus, Akaushi. Japanese Wagyu is all A5-Grade and includes offerings like prized Kobe and Hokkaido Snow Beef.

Though the Holy Grail Steak Company has some of the most prized offerings of the services on this list, be prepared to pay for it. Steak starter packs, which include four steaks, measure in at around $250. A 12 pack of Wagyu burgers will run you $169. Due to their relatively high price point, customers have the option of making one-time purchases, creating custom orders, and ordering curated gift packs and theme boxes. Shipping comes free for orders over $199, an easy feat to accomplish. Not sure what to get? Consider a gift card to let your loved ones build their own boxes based on their preferences.

Porter Road

The Midwest is known for both corn and cattle, and Porter Road takes advantage of both in their meat delivery options. Originating and shipping from Nashville, all Porter Road offerings (pork, chicken, lamb, and prime cuts of beef) come from farms sprinkled throughout Kentucky and Tennessee. All beef cattle and pasture raised and free to roam on their Midwest Farms, are primarily grass fed, but are grain finished to accomplish superior marbling. Unlike many other of the services listed here, Porter Road delivers many of their cuts fresh, though some will be frozen. You can build your box a la carte with typical options such as ground beef and ribeye in addition to more specialty items like fresh andouille and Denver steak. Alternatively, you can choose from theme boxes and subscriptions. If you opt for a subscription, choose delivery every 2,4, or 8 weeks.

Subscription boxes offer you some flexibility, such as adding additional items onto a single order. Basic subscriptions start at $50, with other offerings such as the grilling box clocking in at $70. Larger bundles, like the recent “Stay At Home” bundle, will yield you a staggering 11 pounds of fresh, high quality meat. If interested, order soon, because COVID-19 is creating higher demand and some shipping delays.

DeBragga

New York-Based Debragga produces some of the country’s highest quality cuts of meat – so much, in fact, that many of the New York City’s top steakhouses order their cuts from Debragga. When you order from the butcher shop, you have the comfort of knowing that your meat will be top quality. Though Debragga has diverse offerings, their dry-aged steaks are where they really differentiate. Dry aging is a process in which a butcher hangs various cuts of meat in a perfectly climate controlled environment. As the moisture leaves the steak, its enzymes break down and impart a rich, meaty flavor. The dry-aging process can take weeks or even months, so be prepared to pay a premium for it (worth the occasional splurge).

Unlike some of the services listed here, Debragga is essentially a butcher shop who expanded its operations to nationwide delivery. They are known for their dry-aged and Wagyu cuts of beef, but on their menu of offerings you will also find sausage, veal, pork, lamb, poultry, and even smoked meat. Delivery is available nationwide, and all products are hormone and antibiotic-free. If you’re looking for high-quality meat, special cuts, but no frills or gimmicks, Debragga will not disappoint.

Crowd Cow

Crowd Cow is a unique player on this list, as it serves almost as a meat directory. If you are interested in transparency and supporting local businesses as you consume high-quality meats, then Crowd Cow could be the perfect fit for your needs. The company claims to rethink the way we purchase meat by helping connect customers to independent ranches and farms sprinkled throughout the United States and around the globe. As you might expect, they have a diverse menu of offerings which includes American and Japanese Wagyu, grass fed beef, pork, bison, chicken, lamb, and more. All seafood is sustainably sourced and wild-caught. Customers also have the option of researching by meat type and location of the farm.

Offerings come a la carte, or you can choose from curated boxes based on theme (chicken, beef, pork, and combinations of all the above). All packaging is recyclable, compostable and plant-based. Your meat will come with an information card where you can learn about its origin, including how it was raised. When you order from Crowd Cow, you can enjoy knowing exactly what you are eating, all while supporting independent farmers across the world. This makes it a perfect choice for the conscious carnivore.

D’Artagnan Foods

For the purveyor of good taste and fine foods, D’Artagnan stands out as the option for the Epicurist and Gastronome. D’Artagnan foods is a boutique meat and fine foods supplier that prides itself on its ability to connect the discerning customer to equally discerning fine food products. Here, you will find fare such as USDA Black Angus Beef and American Wagyu, in addition to chicken, duck, turkey, and lamb. All their meat is hormone and antibiotic-free, sustainably and pasture-raised, and held to the strictest standards for quality.

Though we are here for the meat, their diverse non-meat offerings are what really set D’Artagnan apart of the options listed here. Explore their fine foods offerings, which include luxuries such as fois gras, caviar, and charcuterie. They also have an impressive menu of truffles and mushrooms. Aside from a la carte and curated boxes, customers also have the option to search for cuts of meat by cooking method (grilling, sous vide), and cut. You can expect to pay a little more for D’Artagnan foods compared to services like Omaha Steaks, but this reflects the inclusion of higher end products. They occasionally run sales to clean out excess inventory, so check the site frequently or sign up for their emails.

Kansas City Steak Company

Different regions of the country produce steaks that produce different flavor profiles, a reflection of different pastures and feeding practices. Kansas City Steak Company’s most famous offering, the Kansas City Strip, offers the best of Midwestern cattle, imparting a rich texture, tender caramelization of fat, and taste that will please even the most discerning of carnivores.

Aside from their signature cuts of Kansas City strip, beef lovers will flock to their USDA Prime steaks, in addition to barbeque-ready favorites such as brisket. For those looking beyond steak, there are also offerings like chicken breast, ham, steak burgers, and bacon-wrapped pork chops. Like some other meal services listed, sides like stuffed potatoes and desserts are also available. Gift boxes are available with themes such as Father’s Day, Game Day, and more. If you are looking for a last minute gift idea, consider buying an e-gift certificate, which instantly generates an email to your recipient.

If you are searching for a good meat company with a diverse selection, Kansas City Steak Company is a solid choice. Frequent promotions, such as 15% orders of $125 or more, are the icing on the cake. Sign up for the emails to be the first to know about sales and nab the best selection.

Butcher Box

If you are looking for the best all around subscription service for mail-order delivery, Butcher Box is it. A relatively new player to the game, Butcher Box places its emphasis on 100% grass fed beef products from free range cows. Grass fed beef products are known for their distinct flavor and higher proportion of healthy fatty acids. Additionally, grass fed cattle produce less methane gas and eat much more sustainable than their feedlot counterparts.

Though 100% grass fed products are a Butcher Box specialty, they also have offerings such as vegetarian-fed pigs and USDA organic chicken products. They also believe in supporting meat processing plants that have fair labor practices, so you have the comfort of knowing that both your meat products and the labor who produce it are treated fairly.

As a true subscription service, Butcher Box has a wide variety of options, from all beef to beef and chicken and beef and port. Boxes come in a variety of sizes based on your family size or freezer space. Prices start at $129 a month. Best of all, shipping is free, which makes it stand out from some of the other meat delivery services listed here. Introductory offers are a good deal, so consider providing your email address for perks like free bacon for the life of your subscription.

Steaks and Game

Steaks and Game hails itself as the ultimate destination of meat lovers. Take a look at their website and you will soon see why. Diverse offerings such as Wagyu beef, Kurobata pork, and grass fed steaks and tenderloins make up an impressive menu. Unlike many of the meat delivery services, Steaks and Game is your go-to spot for wild game like elk and venison, in addition to exotic meats such as alligator, ostrich, turtle, and antelope. If you are looking for a truly diverse selection, availability of rare game, and are in it solely for the meat, then Steaks and Game stands out from the competition.

Greensbury

Greensbury offers 100% organic, free range, and sustainable seafood. Their diversity of selection may pale in comparison to some other meat services, but they are the perfect match for the conscious consumer. They work only with small organic farms and fisheries and are committed to making their products as sustainable as possible. When you choose Greensbury, you have the comfort of knowing that your purchase helps maximize animal welfare and promotes healthy oceans. Sign up for their emails and receive 10% off your first purchase. All products come flash frozen to lock in nutrients and come to your door via expedited shipping, packed in dry ice.

La Frieda

La Frieda is a family owned business that operates on a smaller scale than many other meat delivery services. Their reputation as a no-nonsense, family butcher shop has led to national critical acclaim, with the New York Magazine hailing them as “the magician of meat.” Don’t expect to find anything exotic on the menu – choose from prime and dry-aged cuts of beef, succulent burgers and a smattering of pork, lamb, and poultry. If your preference is high quality meat without the pomp, then La Frieda is likely a good option to support your inner carnivore. Gift packs are also available for purchase.

Fossil Farms

Fossil Farms prides itself on supplying America with sustainable, healthy alternatives to conventional meat practices. Their specialty is wild game, with sustainable options including ostrich, pheasant, camel, hen, quail, duck, goose, squab, bison, emu, yak and more. You will also find some more traditional contenders on the menu, such as American Wagyu, Angus Beed, Berkshire pork, chicken, and turkey. If you are looking to expand your carnivorous horizons, want to shop for more nutritious meat products, and are committed to finding sustainable meat solutions, then Fossil Farms is a good place to start. Shipping from the NJ location is available nationwide, and local customers have the option of shopping in store.