Life Post COVID-19: Adapting To A New Grocery Store Normal

Sheltering in place. Social distancing. Facemask required.

With COVID-19 affecting virtually every aspect of our lives, changing the way we shop for groceries is no different. Status quo and conventional wisdom have gone out the window, replaced by a new normal of “contactless pickup,” “one-way store aisles” and other necessary measures. As customers adapt to a new way of shopping, grocers and retailers must also adapt.

Pre-COVID 19, convenience already was highly valued by consumers and that has only increased exponentially in quarantine.

Instacart, Walmart Grocery and Shipt have seen their daily downloads surge by 218 percent, 160 percent and 124 percent, respectively.

Making changes to boost customer traffic in grocery stores will require flexibility, nimbleness and creativity.

Restaurants have done a good job of creating appealing and convenient offerings to diners in the wake of restaurants being shuttered. Real world examples include offering more “grab and go” offerings, selling raw beef and pork in takeout kits and introducing alcohol delivery.

How can grocery stores continue to generate more traffic and increase beef and pork sales during quarantine?