If you use an online grocery delivery service like Instacart or Walmart+, you have likely seen the term “substitution” or “brand swap” on your final receipt. This occurs when the specific item you ordered is out of stock, and the personal shopper must select a replacement. While these swaps are designed to be convenient, they also have important implications for the final cost and quality of your order. Understanding what these brand swaps mean is key to managing your online grocery budget and avoiding unwanted surprises.
