Online grocery shopping is a growing trend that major retailers have already zeroed in on, offering everything from dairy and produce to packaged foods and other goods. You may (or may not) have noticed this trend depending on where you live. People living in bustling urban areas tend to shop for groceries online more than those living in locations with a smaller population density, the key reason being that proximity increases convenience for shoppers and retailers.
Reaching customers in far-flung locations is indeed a pain point for retailers both large and small, but that’s a small hiccup that companies are looking to solve going forward. As of now, consumers are still getting used to the idea of shopping online — not everyone is sold on the concept, as it means giving up the tactile experience of shopping in an aisle and seeing, smelling, and feeling the products firsthand.
Online grocery shopping is also more expensive. Shopping online means you have to deal with a delivery fee, which can instantly cancel out the convenience factor for some. But is it enough to deter people from shopping online in the long run?
Trends indicate that Americans are using their mobile devices more frequently to make online purchases, be it groceries or other products. As society leans more on technology, will people be willing to overlook factors of inconvenience, like high delivery fees or the chance that their groceries could be stolen right off their doorstep?
These are all considerations that shoppers and retailers alike have to consider as online grocery shopping inevitably becomes more common.
Big tips from major players
For smaller businesses, there’s a lot you can take note of from the major players like Target, Amazon, and Walmart in the online grocery shopping space. Here are some key takeaways from sites like Amazon and Walmart that you can adopt:
- Consider BOPIS: Buy Online Pickup In-Store (BOPIS) is a great way to meet your customers halfway. You simply allow them to order in real-time online and have it ready for them to pick up when they arrive.
- Partner with a delivery service: Another way to meet the online demand is to work alongside delivery services that can get the products from A to B.
- Use an up-to-date POS: Your Point of Sale (POS) system is key. Modern devices are great for in-store and online purchases, as they connect with the cloud and allow you to streamline the shopping process.
To learn more about how online grocery shopping is changing the e-commerce and retail game, check out the infographic from Wikibuy below.
Guest Author: Luke Fernandez runs Growth at Wikibuy, a consumer product that helps shoppers know when, where, and what to buy. As a Product and Growth leader, Luke has helped Fortune 500 companies and startups alike drive best-in-class marketing through technology and data.
Visuals: Infographic courtesy Wikibuy
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