The retail landscape has changed dramatically since the very first COVID-19 outbreaks. Online sales grew nearly 50% at their peak, with much of that activity taking place in one particular sector: grocery. Just this past June, online grocery sales in the U.S. reached $7.2 billion — that’s quite the jump from August 2019’s $1.2 billion.
Rather than years or months, grocers had just weeks (if not days) to adapt to the new competitive pressures of the ecommerce space. In-store pickup, curbside pickup and delivery certainly helped supermarkets offer an e-grocery option, but convenience alone isn’t a long-term strategy.
