Shoppers are starting to show an increased interest in new methods of online shopping and retail technology, according to grocery research organisation IGD.
For example, 28% of UK consumers that IGD surveyed said they would be interested in using a voice-activated device to help order groceries in the future.
Some 19% of those surveyed said they would be interested in buying groceries online and having them delivered to a secure refrigerated locked near their home, while 24% said they would consider signing up to an online subscription service for products they use regularly.
Online Innovation
Vanessa Henry, shopper insight manager at IGD, said that more convenient solutions for shoppers could drive the appeal for online shopping.
“With the recent news that Amazon is set to purchase Whole Foods Market, we see the blend of on and offline grocery shopping moving closer to shoppers and our research highlights just how much food is at the forefront of shopper thinking when considering what technological advances might be available in future."
“The more time-deprived, budget-focused and busier in general shoppers become, the more appealing the convenience of online is, so it’s no surprise that we’re anticipating growth in this area. Knowing what shoppers are looking for in this channel, retailers must now look to deliver solutions online that help them browse and make purchases quickly and easily while offering value for money.”
In-Store Technology
Online shopping platforms aren't the only place for technological advancements, according to IGD's research, which highlighted potential areas where technology can be beneficial for retailers.
Some 48% of shoppers said they were interested in using touch screens in-store to find out information about products, and 43% would like to scan and pay for items using their mobile phone without going through a checkout.
Meanwhile, 44% of shoppers said they would like to received personalised offers on their phone in different parts of the store, and 42% would be interested in being altered to offers on their phone when they are near a store.
Future Trends
“We live in an increasingly ‘on-demand’ and connected world where consumers expect a frictionless shopping experience," said Toby Pickard, senior innovations and trends analyst at IGD.
"Companies utilising innovations like these can lock shoppers in to achieve loyalty, and for those looking to succeed in this area, delivery systems will need to become smarter, more flexible, efficient and responsive.”
IGD says that the UK online grocery market is currently worth £10.4 billion, and that 41% of all British shoppers have made online grocery purchases in the last month.
In the next few years, the organisation forecasts that the online grocery channel will grow by 53.8% to be worth £16 billion by 2022.
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Sarah Harford. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
