Digital transformations of online grocery shopping in 2024

The e-commerce business has shown ample growth in the past decade and the pandemic has brought huge impacts on altering consumers’ behaviors. The ability to purchase all required items with a single click or tap and delivered at doorsteps has not only created a trend but also raises an opportunity for online retailers.

In just two years, the online grocery market has shown tremendous growth, achieved great sales, and gained users.

The E-grocery market has shown revolutionary changes for online retailers. This raises both on-demand delivery business opportunities and competition in the e-commerce space. Thriving in this new e-grocery landscape, as a retailer, you must require unique insights and required actions to stand out strong.

As a merchant, you have to continue to follow the consumer’s demand online and create a space for your brand to grow and prosper.

In our blog, we will share some projections about the online grocery business in 2024 along with important insights into how e-grocery shopping behavior has transformed. We will also discuss what are important key factors to focus on the smooth operations of your online grocery business, how to attract vendors as well as engaging buyers.

Growing capacity of online grocery shopping in upcoming years

Online retailers are expanding their online capacity and offering with the growth in consumer demand. With the evolving needs of your consumers, you have to quickly understand and respond to shape their better online shopping experience.

According to the Brick Meets Click report, in June 2024, the US e-grocery sales of total $7.7 billion grew by 8% compared to June 2023.

This shows how e-grocery has reshaped the growth factors and created the opportunity for retailers to boost their grocery business by taking it online.

On-demand grocery delivery solutions have contributed to overall growth in grocery stores sales and as per experts, the usage of such solutions is expected to grow in the upcoming years.

According to Technavio’s latest market research report, the online grocery delivery services market is estimated to grow by $1,120.4 billion, at a CAGR of 25.2% between 2023 and 2028. The most important factor driving the growth in online grocery delivery systems is the increase in popularity and adoption of various e-commerce platforms.

Analysis of 2024 survey results showed four key insights or understandings that can help you to refine your strategy and planning for the technical innovations in your on-demand grocery delivery system to capture high sales and returns. Let’s quickly and briefly discuss them as follows:

• Consumers are still adopting online grocery delivery software and showed continual steady growth in this sector. This is a motivational factor for you as an online retailer to attract and retain customers by strengthening your online offerings.

• The key to e-grocery success is to understand your customer’s needs and preferences. Better breakdown the grocery shopping behavior based on age group, ethnic background, and demographic preferences. Plan and strategies your on-demand grocery delivery app development for great results.

• Consumers are adopting curbside pickup and in-store pickup. You should keep in mind that this adoption will rise in the current post-pandemic situation. So plan and make the right investment to ensure a better quality pickup experience for your customers.

• A shift to mobile usage is being experienced in all the sectors including the online grocery business. If you haven’t invested in a white-label grocery delivery app yet or experienced any improvements in your mobile app, this is the right time to address it.

Read More: On-Demand Industry is changing the Face of Delivery Business?

Top customer trends shaping grocery e-commerce

The projected growth in automated grocery delivery business rely on following consumer trends and advantages that are responsible for continuous evolution in the online marketplace:

Change in consumer’s behavior

There is a shift from in-person shopping to online shopping as consumers are more prone to online purchasing from the comfort of their own places. The benefit of getting their orders at their doorsteps through on-demand delivery not only saves their time but also promotes contactless deliveries.

The pandemic has created anxiety and fear in consumers and hence they are more prominent towards safety and hygiene which leads to the change in purchasing patterns.

Customers are willing to pay for convenience

The grocery delivery business software offers hassle-free purchasing and delivery anytime and from anywhere. Home delivery and same-day delivery system are the new trends consumers are widely opting for as per their convenience.

Lockdowns, busy schedules, and exhausting lifestyles have promoted on-demand grocery delivery solutions.

Brick and mortar stores are underpinning

With technological advancements, many brick-and-mortar stores are connected with the digital age to make consumers’ journey more smooth and convenient.

Features like curbside pickups or Buy Online, Pickup In-store (BOPIS) business models have helped to merge the offline and digital worlds.

Keeping yourself up-to-date with the emerging digitization is most important for offline retailers. Investing wisely to ensure quality pickups and deliveries for your customers can be pivotal for a successful business.

The future is mobile

According to a survey conducted by Inmar Intelligence, one-quarter of consumers order 75% of their groceries online with a mobile device and 20% do all online shopping via web or mobile web.

The on-demand grocery delivery mobile apps have taken the world by storm. Transition to mobile apps is one of the latest trends that’s occurring in every sector and grocery is one of them. This is the right time to do your investment in grocery delivery app development or experience any modification in that.

Fresh and frozen categories have gained momentum in online demand

Though all grocery categories have shown a significant rise in e-commerce adoption over the last 2 years, fresh, packaged, and frozen items have led the baskets. Dairy products, fresh vegetables, fresh meat, and frozen foods have raised the sale of e-grocery businesses.

All the above trends are promoting the usage of online grocery shopping. But as the consumers become more comfortable with e-grocery solutions, their expectations from on-demand grocery delivery apps will also rise.

As an online retailer, you need to adjust some offerings with the key features to meet their expectations. Let’s discuss them in our next section and understand the needs of your customers from your on-demand delivery software.

Read More: Automate your on-demand delivery business to attract customers

Important features to be included in your e-grocery solution

Online grocery delivery software is no doubt growing with pace which raises the fierce competition in the market. Your buyers must be convinced with some great features in your software that they are going to use the safest, cost-effective, and comfortable on-demand grocery delivery app:

Product listing and categorization of items

This is one of the basic yet important features of online grocery delivery app development. Do segregate all the items as per different categories and subcategories for the seamless shopping experience of your users.

All the listed products should have proper descriptions so that the customer can collect all the necessary information.

Quick shopping list

This feature can include the list of items the customer has visited but doesn’t purchase and save it for later purchase and future references.

This feature can also include many other options like reminder lists, favorite lists based on previous shopping history, and scanned barcode lists.

A product comparison feature can also be added to your system for giving better options to your customers.

Delivery scheduler and order tracking

This feature in your grocery delivery system allows the user to schedule their delivery as per their availability and convenience in advance. It also notifies your customer about the estimated delivery time.

Your grocery delivery software should be integrated with real-time GPS tracking so that users can track their orders and know the exact status from dispatch to delivery.

Coupon codes, festive discounts, and offers

To engage more customers’ interest in your grocery delivery app, offer coupon codes and discounts on their purchases. It will encourage them to purchase more and increase your sales.

Clear product return policy

This used to be an important concern for the online users whether the product will be replaced or not if found damaged or not as per their choice. Thus, your software should have a feature that allows the customer to return the desired product.

Also, a clear product return policy should be mentioned for the listed product so that it may not create any confusion later on from your end as well as from your end-user.

Multiple payment options

There should be both payment options online like credit/debit cards, mobile wallets, and other gateways as well as offline or COD in your on-demand grocery development solution. This allows your customers to select the mode of payment they want.

With these above-listed features, you will be able to create a potentially rewarding online grocery delivery system. However, as a business owner, you need to focus on every aspect of your consumer’s experience before launching your e-grocery delivery solutions.

Things to keep in mind before starting your online grocery business

To successfully start and operate an online grocery delivery solution for your business, the following are things to consider and focus on:

Selecting the right business model

Selecting or enhancing the right model for your online grocery business is most important. Create a roadmap of your operational model for an agile, precise, and efficient delivery process.

For a successful on-demand grocery business, a strong marketing strategy and the right business model are essential. The following are the business models of online grocery delivery systems and you can adopt one of or a hybrid of the following to sell your grocery online:

1. Marketplace model

The marketplace model works like a multi-vendor shopping model with the exception that the customers have no choice to choose the store while ordering.

When the platform receives an order, it transfers the details directly to its in-house delivery personnel who will then be responsible for shopping for that item and delivering it to the customer. Example: Instacart

Who can choose grocery marketplace model

• The marketplace owner has to encourage multiple vendors, shops, or plans with a strategic market plan.

• This type of model provides you easy management of your vendors, enables the delivery partners to choose their preferred service areas, set up dynamic rates of delivery, broadcast a list of their pending orders, and advance payout options for their delivery partner.

2. Grocery chain model

This type of model is having multiple retail stores of the same brand with a common warehouse and has a centralized hub to effectively manage all marketplace business operations.

They have multiple grocery stores across the specific region and also provide their on-demand grocery delivery services through online channels. Example: Walmart

Who can choose grocery chain model

• This model shares a common brand and central management practices with standardized business methods.

• The most important feature of the retail-chain model is you can achieve the business goals easily as you know what is required from your vendors and distributors.

• You can apply great supply chain strategies to focus on customer demand and accomplish effective operations with your current resources.

• Franchise models can help you in growing your online retail chain services.

3. Dedicated grocery store model

In this type of business model, the on-demand grocery delivery software is created to purely dedicate it to your own brand. Owning your grocery delivery app will be helpful for easier and quicker management of your delivery orders.

You can have the feature of “Buy Online, Pickup In-store (BOPIS)” where your customers purchase the product from your on-demand grocery delivery software and later collect them from stores as per their convenience.

It is the most effective business model for implementing a contactless delivery system.

Who can choose a dedicated grocery store model

• This model is dedicated to your own brand and it will help you manage all your orders as well as delivery partners in an easier and faster way.

• An all-in-one on-demand grocery delivery software solution, as grocery businesses are heading in the online world and you have to stand out in the competition when you own your grocery delivery solution.

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Focus on your target audience

As you are now able to decide which business model can work efficiently to meet your requirements. The second most important factor you have to keep in mind is to focus on your target area, a group of people with common interests, preferences, needs, and challenges.

Define your niche and make it unique. When your niche is uncommon and meets the needs of your target audience, your popularity and sales both will increase.

Know your major online grocery market segmentation

Based on your target audience and their preference, the market can be segmented into various categories. The online grocery market is segmented in parts based on category, type of shoppers, and demography. The following representation will help you to understand these categories:

Do thorough competitor analysis

Proper competitor analysis is a must while you plan to have an on-demand grocery delivery app development. To make your mark in this competitive market in various segments and to raise your sales, you should have a well-defined USP. Consumers will visit you with trust in your uniqueness and specialization.

Make your featured website and mobile app

Focus on the actual development of your on-demand grocery delivery website and mobile app. It should have all the required features, categories, and subcategories for a better customer experience.

Always cross-check your website as well as mobile development from the customer’s point of view for a powerful solution for all your delivery needs.

Set up efficient delivery channels

The success of the grocery delivery business system depends heavily on the efficiency of your delivery system. Consumers prefer same-day delivery for their household groceries and food items.

Fresh and frozen items are the new trend in the grocery delivery system. Segregate your delivery regions and estimate the proper timings to deliver your order. Transparency in delivery will help you and your customers to build trust.

Understand the impacts of the pandemic

Understand and update yourself with the impact of COVID19 or any of its new variants on your target area and audience. Panic Shopping and curbside pickups may rise to engage your customers for an on-demand delivery business.

Read More: Importance of on-demand grocery delivery solution in pandemic.

On-demand grocery delivery software solutions are becoming more and more familiar with consumers and as a business owner, you have to keep the above points and features in mind to attract more customers to your e-grocery business.

With a good SaaS-based grocery delivery software solution you can streamline your operations with advanced features.

Conclusion

We all have witnessed the world traverse the outset of a global pandemic in the last few years. This has led to e-commerce grocery businesses quickly pivoting and charging forward.

While today’s online grocery retailers are benefiting from a shift in consumers’ habits towards on-demand delivery solutions. To work and dominate in this competitive world of the e-grocery business, you have to provide an interactive web experience to your customers.

In the upcoming few years, we will see a huge reduction in offline stores as improved delivery methods and robust logistics will be the future of on-demand grocery delivery services.

This is the best time to invest in your business to reshape it for your own online venture. For white-label software and app development, contact YelowXpress for all your on-demand grocery delivery business requirements.