The pandemic caused a channel shift as consumers moved online, accelerating digital roadmaps for grocery retailers and brands by as much as five years, in some cases. This move is permanent and has resulted in budgets for 2021 changing across the industry due to different aspects becoming the new focus for growth.
In partnership with Salesforce, InternetRetailing set out to determine the focus areas, growth vectors and priorities for leading grocers, FMCG and CP brands. In late 2020, we surveyed and interviewed retailers and brands across Europe asking about their priorities for the coming 12 months. This Grocery Innovation Report highlights those priorities.
Supplemental interviews, and pan-European and country-specific data, show the extent of the challenges and changes being overcome as the pandemic continues to influence the industry and consumer behaviour.
Finding & discussion areas
- Sustainability: 69% of global consumers say that they are supporting local shops.
- Technology: technology is not following consumer behaviour as 70% of grocers in Europe have an Apple iOS mobile app. Only 41% offer an Android app, although 73% of mobile phones operate on Android.
- Covid-19: RetailX’s European survey found that the pandemic has been both a threat (39%) and a growth opportunity (48%) for businesses.
- Delivery: In March 2020 nearly 80% of European grocers had no delivery slots available.
