When it comes to shopper habits this past fall, safety has been a driving force as consumers become more intentional with their purchases, according to data from National Grocers Association.
Winning with Fresh Fall 2021, a report written by Janice M. Kreslin with data provided by the association in partnership with The Packer and PMG, revealed data that suppliers, buyers, managers and retail executives can use toward making decisions.
"Retailers are in the service industry, so it's no surprise that grocers adapted their operations to provide added services to consumers," Kreslin wrote.
In the last 18 months, the top two services that retailers ramped up were safety protocols such as wearing masks, and increased cleaning schedules, and curbside grocery pickup.
Research showed that 92% of independent retailers said they enacted new safety measures, and 91% said they made the move to grocery pickup.
The main focus has been to make purchasing easier.
More than 75% of independent retailers said they have provided the ability to order groceries online via a website in the past year and a half, and 86% of independents said they minimized contact-buying as the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the nation.
In-store dining was reduced and 81% of stores focused on offering simple, quick, convenient options for shoppers to take home.
