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Grocery retailer confidence strong heading into 2021, says SN survey

Despite continuing challenges from COVID-19, operators optimistic about sales growth and the overall economy

Michael Browne, Executive Editor

January 12, 2021

16 Slides
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More than 150 grocery retailers (including brick-and-mortar, online and omnichannel) shared their thoughts and plans for 2021 in Supermarket News’ first Retailer Expectations Survey, covering such topics as the economy, sales projections, store count and hiring, and, of course, the impact of COVID-19 as we get closer to the one-year mark since the pandemic first struck the United States.

More than 65% of retailers expressed that they are extremely or fairly confident in the strength of the overall economy going into 2021. As for grocery sales, the optimism was even higher: When asked how they anticipate sales to perform in the first six months 2021, 82% of respondents said they expect sales to either stay the same or increase during that time frame, with nearly half (46%) anticipating a sales increase of 1% to 9%.

Among the steps retailers plan to take this year to sustain the staggering sales growth spurred by the pandemic in 2020, are introducing or expanding online grocery/delivery and continuing enhanced safety measures (including masks and PPE, plexiglass partitions, social distancing), cited by 60% and 59% of retailers, respectively. Curbside pickup will also get more traction this year, as 48% of retailers plan to introduce or expand the service.

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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