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By the numbers: Looking at sales trends, consumer behaviors during COVID

One year into the pandemic, data show how grocery shopping has changed — and what that means for retailers

Michael Browne, Executive Editor

March 15, 2021

13 Slides
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After a year of record-setting sales in the grocery industry due to the pandemic — including periods of stock-up shopping, the increase in meals at home and the explosion of safe and convenient online services and curbside pickup/delivery — retailers are anticipating those once-in-a-lifetime numbers to normalize somewhat in 2021. The rollout of vaccines and the reopening of many businesses and a return to indoor dining will have an impact on grocery sales this year, although they should remain elevated for much of this year.

Just how unprecedented was the impact of COVID on the grocery industry? From online sales to consumer spending to shopping behavior shifts and category growth (toilet paper, anyone?), research reports and data from the past 12 months show an industry experiencing a sea change. Here are just some of the highlights:

  • U.S. online grocery sales reached a new peak of $9.3 billion in January 2021, surpassing the previous high of $8.8 billion in June 2020.

  • Year-over-year CPG spending in 2020 gained by double digits in every month except January.

  • Nearly two-thirds of consumers reported switching purchase loyalty to less-expensive brands since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Sales of meat increased an unprecedented 34.6% during the pandemic, while frozen food sales rose 21% over the previous year.

  • More than half of grocery retailers reported seeing center store sales increases of 10% or more during COVID.

  • 85% of consumers said they aim to eat family meals at home more often or the same amount as they did before the pandemic when things return to a “new normal.”

Learn more about how COVID changed the landscape of grocery retail in this gallery of sales trends and shopping data.

About the Author

Michael Browne

Executive Editor, Supermarket News

Michael Browne joined Supermarket News in 2018 after serving in managing and executive editor capacities at leading B2B media brands including Convenience Store NewsLicense Global and Travel Agent. He also previously served as content production manager for print and digital in the Business Intelligence division of Informa, parent company of Supermarket News and Nation’s Restaurant News.

As executive editor, Mike oversees the editorial content of supermarketnews.com as well as the monthly print publication. He also directs all content-based brand-related projects including the annual Top 75 Retailers report, Category Guide, Retailer of the Year, research surveys and special reports, as well as podcast and webinar content. Mike has also presented and moderated at industry events.

In addition to the positions mentioned above, Mike has also worked as a writer and/or editor for special projects at American Legal Media (ALM), managing editor for Tobacco International, special projects editor at American Banker • Bond Buyer, and as production editor for Bank Technology News and other related financial magazines and journals published by Faulkner & Gray.

A graduate of Fordham University, Mike is based in New York City, where he was born and raised.

Contact Mike at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

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