Survey: Coronavirus Transforms Americans' Grocery & Cooking Habits

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a profound impact on Americans' grocery shopping and cooking habits, according to a March 23 survey of more than 3,000 consumers by meal planning service eMeals. Shoppers were unable to find 40% of the grocery items on their shopping list as the gravity of the COVID-19 outbreak sent them flocking to grocery stores to stock up on food from March 18-23. Respondents also reported a 55% increase in weekly shopping spend, cooking dinner at home six nights a week, and surging online grocery use that has caused fulfillment delays because of the high demand.

"Shopping and cooking habits have clearly been impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. Short supplies at grocery stores, restaurant closings, and the need to...

Coronavirus Cases Continue to Impact Foodservice and Retail 

Cases of COVID-19 are continuing to surface as the virus spreads and more tests become available. States across the country are still enforcing restrictions and guidelines, encouraging people to social distance.

Retailers have gone from limiting hours to closing completely until further notice. Grocery stores are struggling to keep shelves stocked as consumers continue to panic buy and stockpile essentials. Amid all the hysteria, restaurants are creatively finding new ways to serve guests and generate income.

As of March 18th, the National Restaurant Association predicts that the foodservice industry could lose up to $225 billion and 7 million jobs. Mandatory restaurant closures have caused...

Instacart Announces Plans to Bring on 300,000 New Personal Shoppers Over the Next 3 Months

Instacart announced plans to bring on an additional 300,000 full-service shoppers over the next 3 months to meet the growing customer demand for grocery delivery and pickup in North America. Instacart has become an essential service for millions of customers who are relying on the platform to get access to the groceries and household goods they need in a safe, reliable and affordable way.

In the last few weeks, the company has seen order volume grow by more than 150% year-over-year, with average customer basket size also increasing by 15%. By more than doubling the size of its full-service shopper community, Instacart will be better positioned to meet this increase in...

Research and Markets: Global Online Grocery Market Outlook

Despite the origins in the late 1990s by Tesco, despite Ocado, despite Peapod, despite Amazon's acquisition of Whole Foods, despite Walmart's investments, despite the French drives pioneered by Chronodrive (Auchan) online grocery has still not been solved.

So where is online grocery going?

Grocery stores are more and more seeing a transformation towards becoming hybrids for pick up/delivery and shopping and often foodservice too. Especially players such as Freshippo or JD.com stores in Asia have been at the forefront of this development, but this is not really groundbreakingly new for the West either. In the US all the major grocers are rolling out... 

Walmart Adds Grocery to Flagship App

For years, Walmart has had two mobile apps: the Walmart app and the Walmart Grocery app. Customers navigate both apps, but would like an easier way to shop without having to switch between the two. 

The company is excited to announce its adding Walmart Grocery to the flagship Walmart app. Now, customers can access everything Walmart has to offer in one, definitive experience – the Walmart app.

Here’s what the updated Walmart app offers...

Walmart to Test-Drive Autonomous Grocery Deliveries with Nuro

Today, Walmart is announcing a new pilot with autonomous vehicle company, Nuro. Nuro’s vision of using robotics to improve lives runs parallel with Walmart’s mission of helping customers live better. Through the Houston-based pilot, Walmart aims to develop, refine and continue learning how to offer the best end-to-end customer experience.

Walmart is committed to delivering groceries – with a side of time-saving convenience – through an ever-expanding Grocery Pickup and Delivery service. As we near the end of 2019, Walmart has grown our online grocery footprint to nearly 3,100 pickup locations with deliveries coming from more than...

Kroger Launches Dark Kitchen Partnership with ClusterTruck

The Kroger Co., and ClusterTruck, a software platform that powers profitable, vertically integrated delivery-only kitchens, today launched a partnership that will change the way Americans access freshly prepared meals. By offering multiple menus from one central scratch kitchen, Kroger Delivery Kitchen will deliver fresh and delicious meals on-demand without service or delivery fees.

For the initial rollout, Kroger Delivery Kitchen Powered by ClusterTruck is launching in Carmel, Indiana – where Kroger and ClusterTruck are jointly opening a fourth kitchen – and Indianapolis and Columbus, Ohio. Additionally, King Soopers Delivery Kitchen Powered by ClusterTruck will serve customers in Denver.

"The way our customers order and receive meals is evolving, and ClusterTruck's innovative culinary and...

What’s Next for Amazon: Expanding AmazonFresh Beyond Online Grocery and into Brick-and-Mortar Stores

Dropping monthly fees associated with AmazonFresh and instead making it a free benefit for Prime members is not just about reenergizing Amazon’s online grocery service. It suggests that Amazon intends to use the brand to grow beyond the limitations imposed by Whole Foods-Prime Now relationship.

Behind the scenes, Amazon has clearly been trying to figure out how to balance AmazonFresh and Prime Now, its 1-2 hour delivery service. Since acquiring Whole Foods in 2017, Amazon seems to have given Prime Now more attention, leveraging...

Whole Foods Market and Amazon Bring Back Popular Turkey Deals

Starting on Wednesday, Amazon and Whole Foods Market will offer special savings on organic and classic turkeys in celebration of Thanksgiving. All customers can choose from select organic ($3.49/lb) and classic turkeys ($2.49/lb), and Prime members will save even more on turkeys ($2.99/lb for organic and $1.99/lb for classic).

All turkeys sold at Whole Foods Market must meet the grocer’s strict quality standards, including no antibiotics ever, no animal by-products in their feed, and animal welfare audits by third-party certifier programs like Global Animal Partnership. The turkey offer runs from Nov. 13 through Nov. 28 while supplies last.

“We know our customers care about where their food comes from, and our turkeys meet some of the highest quality standards in the grocery industry. We are excited to...

Giant Food Announces Launch of Giant Delivers

Giant Food, the leading greater Washington D.C. regional grocery chain, announced the launch of Giant Delivers. Formerly known as Peapod by Giant, the new Giant Delivers brand refresh is part of Giant Food's "The Little Things Are Giant" platform which is all about helping customers save time so they can get back to what matters most. Whether filling their virtual cart via web or mobile app, next day home delivery from Giant Delivers is now available to over 6 million shoppers living in over 300 zip codes across the DMV area.

Giant's integrated offerings fit all the ways today's busy consumers want to shop – whether in store, via curbside pickup or home delivery. Giant Delivers has recently...

Walmart's InHome Delivery Service Officially Launches in Kansas City, Pittsburgh and Vero Beach

Early this summer, Walmart announced InHome Delivery, its latest innovation aimed toward giving time back to families by delivering fresh groceries and everyday essentials directly into their kitchen or garage fridges. Today, for the first time ever, Walmart is thrilled to launch this new service for over 1 million customers in Pittsburgh, Kansas City (Missouri and Kansas) and Vero Beach.

The company is obsessed with simplifying grocery shopping and finding ways to make customers’ lives easier. That’s why InHome goes the extra step so that customers can live their lives without worrying about making it to the store or being home to accept a delivery.

All it takes to use the service is three simple steps...

Mercato Introduces Same-Day Grocery Delivery with Mercato Green

Mercato, the online grocery eCommerce platform for independently owned grocery and specialty food stores, announced today the launch of Mercato Green. The delivery membership program allows consumers in more than 25 states across the U.S. to receive unlimited free, same-day deliveries from their favorite local grocers. Mercato will also plant a tree for every order placed by a Mercato Green member.

There are two Mercato Green membership plans - both come with a 14-day free, unlimited trial. The Neighborhood plan covers deliveries up to three miles from the store, and the City plan covers up to 10 miles. Both plans provide a deep discount for consumers who are looking for the convenience and reliability of same-day delivery from their favorite neighborhood grocers.

Online grocery sales, estimated to reach $29.7 billion by 2021, continue to climb as many people find traditional grocery shopping - parking, waiting in checkout lines, and loading groceries - a hassle. With Mercato, consumers conveniently order...

Walmart to Roll Out Delivery Unlimited to Stores Across the Country

Walmart has plans to expand the reach of Delivery Unlimited – a Grocery Delivery membership option for customers – to 1,400 stores later this fall. The program gives customers the option to pay a yearly $98 fee or a monthly $12.95 fee to receive unlimited Walmart Grocery Delivery orders. Customers will continue to have the option to pay a per-delivery fee, without a membership.

“Grocery Delivery takes convenience to a new level, and our customers love it. With Delivery Unlimited, we’re providing incredible value for our customers and leveraging our unique assets to save them both time and money,” said Janey Whiteside, chief customer officer, Walmart.

The retailer began piloting Delivery Unlimited in four markets – Houston, Miami, Salt Lake City and Tampa – earlier this year. Based on the positive response of customers, Walmart is expanding the program to all 200 metro areas where...

AmazonFresh Expands to Indianapolis With 1- and 2-Hour Delivery

Amazon today announced that AmazonFresh has expanded to Indianapolis. Beginning today, Prime members in Indianapolis can shop tens of thousands products from meat and seafood to fresh produce and everyday essentials for free two-hour delivery from AmazonFresh.

“We’re thrilled to introduce AmazonFresh to Prime members in Indianapolis,” said Stephenie Landry, Vice President of AmazonFresh and Prime Now. “Prime members tell us they want their stuff even faster. We're happy to deliver on that ask and can’t wait for customers in Indianapolis to take advantage of one- and two-hour delivery from AmazonFresh.”

Prime members can choose from tens of thousands of items across produce, meat, grocery, plus Amazon.com bestsellers from...

Walmart's Innovative Approach to Convenience Around the World

Shopping lists are increasingly including a new item: convenience.

The grocery industry is a great example. American shoppers average about 60 minutes spent shopping for food each week. To cut this time down, more and more of Walmart’s U.S. customers find themselves taking advantage of online shopping options like pickup and delivery.

But the U.S. isn’t the only place customers want convenience. Walmart Canada’s recent announcement to expand grocery delivery with Instacart demonstrates how quickly customers are responding to time-saving innovations in...

AmazonFresh Expands to Houston, Minneapolis and Phoenix With 1- and 2-Hour Delivery

Amazon today announced that AmazonFresh has expanded to three new cities: Houston, Minneapolis and Phoenix. Beginning today, Prime members in those cities can shop tens of thousands products from meat and seafood to fresh produce and everyday essentials for free two-hour delivery from AmazonFresh.

“We’re thrilled to introduce AmazonFresh to Prime members in Houston, Minneapolis and Phoenix,” said Stephenie Landry, Vice President of AmazonFresh and Prime Now. “Prime members tell us they want their stuff even faster. We’re happy to deliver on that ask and can’t wait for customers in Houston, Minneapolis and Phoenix to take advantage of...

Food Lion to Expand "To-Go" Grocery Pick-Up Service at Multiple Stores

Food Lion continues to expand its “Food Lion To-Go" grocery pick up service at multiple area locations beginning August 19, 2019.

A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at each location at 8:45 a.m. on August 19th, and to help introduce customers to this new service, Food Lion is offering shoppers their first pickup for free.

The launch of this new, convenient service enables Food Lion to continue to deliver on its promise to ensure an easy, fresh and affordable grocery shopping experience, and it allows customers to order and pick up their groceries in as little as an hour.

“We are so excited to expand this convenient service to more stores in the Food Lion footprint and enable customers to spend more time...

Meal Kits and Online Grocery Shopping Revitalize Interest in Home Cooking

More than half of U.S. adults claim they really enjoy cooking (53%) and more than a third consider the kitchen to be the most important room in the home (35%), according to data in the new report Eating Trends: Cooking & Food Shopping from market research firm Packaged Facts. These percentages are up compared to a decade ago.

Packaged Facts found that most people who don't cook at home either have a lack of time to grocery shop and meal prep or they lack confidence in their cooking skills. The latter reason is especially prevalent among Gen Z adults (ages 18-24) and to a lesser extent Millennials (ages 25-39).

The meal kit industry is arguably the best example of a food industry segment that's making it easier for adults to start cooking more at home again. The products are marketed to emphasize...

Walmart Begins Pilot with Autonomous Vehicle Company Gatik

To address consumer demand for convenience, Walmart is bringing the best of their grocery pickup and delivery service to communities across the United States. The company is testing new and innovative capabilities that will improve the business and shape the future of retail. Walmart has been exploring pilot options with self-driving car companies that include customer delivery as well as transporting goods between store locations. Today, Walmart has announced a new pilot with autonomous vehicle company Gatik.

In March, Arkansas passed legislation that allows self-driving vehicles to operate in the state. Through Gatik, Walmart is staying on the cutting edge of grocery pickup by testing the vehicles to move customers' orders on a two-mile route in Bentonville between stores. This will aid Walmart in learning more...

As Grocery Wars Heat Up, A Growing Number of Consumers Enlist in Ordering Groceries Online

The leading grocery retailers have been playing a game of one-upmanship when it comes to raising the bar on online ordering convenience. From offering grocery delivery to-your-door to same-day delivery through a variety of service modes, like drive-up pick-up, grocers are making shopping easier and an increasing number of consumers are responding. The percentage of U.S. consumers, ages 18 and above, who shopped online for groceries within a 30-day period, whether for delivery or pick-up in store, increased from 17 percent in the quarter ending November 2018 to 20 percent, or about 51 million consumers, in the quarter ending February 2019, reports The NPD Group.

Of those who shop online for groceries from brick and mortar or pure-play online grocers, 16 percent order their food and beverages for delivery. The option to order online and pick-up in store, also known as...

Acosta Finds Grocery Delivery and Non-Traditional Grocery Channels are Gaining Popularity

With residents of the top 50 most populous cities comprising nearly 16 percent of the total U.S. population and city growth rates consistently topping those of suburban and rural areas, urban grocery shoppers are becoming an increasingly influential demographic.

Research released today in The Urban Grocery Shopper, the latest Hot Topic report from Acosta — a leading full-service sales and marketing agency in the consumer packaged goods industry — provides insights into the grocery shopping world of city dwellers, which varies significantly from that of suburbanites and those living in rural areas.

"For urban grocery shoppers, crowded stores are the norm so convenience is a major priority," said Colin Stewart, Senior Vice President, Business Intelligence at Acosta. "City dwellers are more likely than...

AmazonFresh Expands to Las Vegas with 1- And 2-Hour Delivery

Amazon today announced that AmazonFresh has expanded to Las Vegas. Starting today, Prime members in Las Vegas can shop tens of thousands products from meat and seafood to fresh produce and everyday essentials for ultrafast one- and two-hour delivery from AmazonFresh.

“We’re thrilled to introduce AmazonFresh to Prime members in Las Vegas,” said Stephenie Landry, Vice President, AmazonFresh and Prime Now. “Prime members tell us they want their stuff even faster. We're happy to deliver on that ask and can’t wait for customers in Las Vegas to take advantage of one- and two-hour delivery from AmazonFresh.”

With AmazonFresh, Prime members can combine grocery and other shopping into one seamless experience that easily fits into their busy lives. Customers can choose from tens of thousands of items across produce, meat, grocery, plus Amazon.com bestsellers from Amazon devices to electronics, health and personal care, home & kitchen, toys and more...

Walmart is Taking Grocery Delivery One Step Further

Consumers have more options than ever before when it comes to how they receive their groceries. Customers can shop in stores, order online for free pickup, or have groceries delivered to their front doors. Now, Walmart is on track to offer Grocery Pickup from 3,100 stores and same-day Grocery Delivery from 1,600 stores by the end of the year. To make grocery shopping an even easier experience for customers, Walmart is offering the option to order fresh groceries and have them be delivered directly into their refrigerator.

Walmart InHome Delivery is a new service designed to help consumers save time and offer another convenient option for grocery shopping. Customers can place a grocery order and then select InHome Delivery and a delivery date at checkout. Then, consumers can go about their daily routine while a Walmart associate completes their grocery shopping for them, from aisle to fridge...

Good Eggs Releases Results of Family Food Fix Survey 

Good Eggs, the online market that delivers absurdly fresh groceries, today announced the results of its Family Food Fix Survey, which takes a pulse on the perspectives and behaviors of today's consumers when it comes to the necessary task of grocery shopping. Additionally, the findings reveal insights into meal kit usage, the reality of preparing multiple dinners every night, and what families across America want most for dinner.

"From grocery shopping to getting dinner on the table, feeding a family has become a time-consuming struggle for today's busy parents," said Jaime Nessel, Vice President of Assortment of Good Eggs. "Online grocery delivery services can provide significant time savings to families. At Good Eggs, we provide a complete, yet curated assortment of local products, absurdly fresh local produce and meat...

Walmart Offers One-Day Shipping Without a Membership Fee

When customers shop with us, they expect to find great items at low prices. They also want shopping to be easy and convenient, including getting the items they order online quickly. Our 4,700 stores, site and app combine to create an incredible range of choices for customers.

We started with same-day pickup in our stores in 2011 and began offering two-day free shipping two years ago with no membership fee. But, the most exciting development has been the creation of Grocery Pickup and Delivery. We’re on track to offer Grocery Pickup from 3,100 stores and same-day Grocery Delivery from 1,600 stores by year-end, which will provide coverage to...

Amazon Expands Grocery Delivery from Whole Foods Market to Thirteen Metros

Amazon and Whole Foods Market today launched delivery of natural and organic products from Whole Foods Market through Prime Now in Chattanooga and Knoxville, Tenn., Destin and Tallahassee, Fla., Greensboro and Wilmington, N.C., Allentown, Pa., Fort Collins, Colo., Huntsville and Montgomery, Ala., Jackson, Miss., Palm Desert, Calif., and Portland, Maine.

Starting today, Prime members in those cities can shop through Prime Now for thousands of bestselling items including fresh produce, high-quality meat and seafood, everyday staples and other locally sourced items from Whole Foods Market and enjoy delivery in as little as an hour. The service is now available in...

Postmates is Now in More than 3,500 Cities

Postmates, the leader in delivering anything you want on-demand, announced today that is has launched a thousand more cities in the U.S. bringing the current total to more than 3,500 across all 50 states. Postmates now serves more than 70 percent of U.S. households. To celebrate, Postmates is joining forces with Subway to launch a nationwide promotion, offering $5 off any sandwich.*

Starting today, customers within the newly added cities can order from their favorite restaurants or merchants and have their order brought to their door in minutes. From trending local eateries to a run for your favorite ice cream, Postmates helps people get anything delivered on-demand.

"We want to enable anyone to have anything delivered on demand and this latest expansion allows us to deliver on that promise across all 50 states in the US ...

Amazon Expands Grocery Delivery from Whole Foods Market

Amazon and Whole Foods Market today launched delivery of natural and organic products from Whole Foods Market through Prime Now in Asheville, Charlottesville, Columbia, Lexington, Little Rock, Manchester, Mobile, Naples and Savannah. Starting today, Prime members in those cities can shop through Prime Now for thousands of bestselling items including fresh produce, high-quality meat and seafood, everyday staples and other locally sourced items from Whole Foods Market and enjoy delivery in as little as an hour. The service is now available in 75 U.S. metros and will continue to expand throughout 2019.

Today also marks another expansion of grocery pickup from Whole Foods Market to Columbus, Ohio. Grocery pickup from Whole Foods Market is available in 30 U.S. metros, with plans for ...