Grocery retailers, it’s high time you know how to dominate the market with ongoing trends.
It’s about upgrading the retail experience for customers, so you become their go-to choice for everything they need. This is possible with analysing popular grocery shopping trends in NZ.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ve summed up all the relevant trends that are going to rule in 2024 and help you tailor your retail strategy.
The Hottest Grocery Retail Trends of 2024
Now, we’ve put these insights after a careful review of the retail landscape not only in New Zealand but across the world. Feel free to adopt what works best for you, while learning what you could do better with the way you run your business.
The Shift to E-Commerce
Although E-commerce may not be a new term, it’s revolutionising the way people buy groceries. Many online platforms like websites, mobile apps and social media are becoming increasingly popular all over the world.
Take a closer look at the e-commerce trends reshaping the grocery industry:
Continued Growth: Online grocery sales are projected to skyrocket, thanks to tech-savvy customers like the Gen-Z/millennials and improved internet access. Owing to a busy schedule and increasing preference for convenience, more buyers are turning to grocery websites to stock their pantry.
Personalisation: In the age of heavy advertising, personalisation can be your armour to battle plummeting sales and spark a raging interest among customers. eCommerce platforms are now embracing AI with open arms and machine studying algorithms are the pioneers of such online platforms. These help retailers personalise suggestions and promotions primarily based on individual options and purchasing behaviour.
Seamless Delivery Options: As demand for on-line grocery buying grows, stores are making an investment in efficient shipping options to cater to busy shoppers. Same-day delivery, subscription services and other offers are helping buyers choose the most suitable option that sits well with their schedule and availability. Keeping the focus on speed, comfort, and reliability, outlets are striving to make the web grocery shopping revel in as seamless as feasible.
Virtual Supermarkets: A brick and mortar store combined with the best of technological experience brings an immaculate virtual shopping experience that customers can’t seem to get enough of. Although similar to eCommerce, virtual supermarkets can be entirely virtual or may be a feature to explore products at a physical retail location.
Talking about virtual experiences in shopping, Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are among the top technologies that are elevating virtual shopping experiences, thus helping stores create immersive shopping experiences. These can provide customers with convenience of browsing aisles, picking out a particular merchandise, and making purchases in a digital setting.
Sustainability
There have been enough campaigns about sustainability and now modern-day consumers are expecting retailers to catch up. Becoming more and more conscious of the environmental impact of their shopping habits, customers want their shopping experience to be as guilt free as possible.
Eco-Friendly Packaging: Growing concerns about packaging waste are prompting consumers to seek out items that provide more sustainable solutions. Thus, grocery stores are now eliminating plastic packaging and promoting more sustainable alternatives, such as composting, recyclable, and reusable containers or packaging. This applies to loose food or confectionary items that can be delivered in paper bags or cotton totes.
Local and Organic Produce: Demand for locally sourced and organic products continues to grow as consumers prioritise freshness, quality and sustainability. You can expect more grocers to partner with local farmers and farmers to provide fresh, seasonal, responsibly sourced fruits and vegetables. By supporting local producers and promoting sustainable agricultural practices, retailers can meet consumers’ needs for ethically sourced products and foster relationships with their communities.
Zero-Waste Initiatives: Now, waste-free products are gaining popularity more than ever as retailers seek to reduce waste and promote sustainable consumption. Grocery stores should switch to methods that involve minimal or negligible waste and encourage customers to shop in the same way.
Conclusion
Now that we’re halfway into 2024, it’s time to reflect on the dynamic changes and trends that the grocery retail industry is experiencing.
It is apparent that online buying, like other shopping habits, will continue to grow, providing a challenge to brick and mortar establishments. They would eventually have to adjust to these tendencies in order to prosper in a competitive environment.
