We associate grocery shops mainly with stationary outlets. With the development of technology and the e-commerce market, this industry is also gradually evolving. Food products can now increasingly be purchased in e-grocery shops. How do you use them? Let's find out!
The coronavirus pandemic has changed the shopping habits of many Poles. As Gartner's report 'E-commerce in Poland 2021' indicates, 77% of our compatriots are already shopping online. In doing so, one in three respondents buys more online than before the COVID-19 era.
This is how we like to buy electronics, home furnishings or clothes, among other things. However, the choice of items is much greater. Both large chains and smaller companies are increasingly allowing food to be bought online as well. Read this article to find out more about the e-grocery segment and its condition in Poland.
E-grocery - what is it?
The e-grocery market brings together online shops that allow the ordering of food products. As for the operating model itself, these services are no different from other types of e-commerce. The customer shops online by adding the products he or she is interested in to a basket. He or she then determines the method and date of delivery and - using one of the safe and fast methods (unless he or she chooses to pay on delivery) - settles the payment.
What can be found in the range of shops? The goods are very diverse. Increasingly, their selection is much wider than in traditional stationary stores. In the e-grocery you can find, among other things, fruit, vegetables, but also meat, fish, seafood, spices, bread or rare oriental and speciality products. Thanks to efficient service and logistics, this shopping model is increasingly able to replace our daily grocery shopping. Try out app-based product delivery InPost Fresh . We offer interesting promotions and a diverse range of offers to ensure that there is something for everyone.
How does e-grocery work?
As we have already mentioned, from the customer's point of view, e-grocery works in the same way as any other online shop. Making purchases is therefore simple and quick, which saves a considerable amount of time. However, customer comfort translates into quite a few challenges for the owner of such an e-shop.
This type of trade requires the best logistical processes, for example due to the short shelf life of many products. Their proper storage is also a challenge, including - in some cases - taking into account the preservation of the cold chain.
Today's technology, however, is a great support for this industry, providing shopping security of the highest level. Even ice cream and frozen food can now be bought online and will arrive in perfect condition - sometimes even better than the purchases you used to transport by car from the retailer to your place of residence.
E-grocery in Poland - challenges for the industry
Consumer habits are changing at a very fast pace and the e-commerce market is becoming increasingly popular, replacing standard shopping. However, it takes some time to implement new products - traditionally purchased in-store - into the online shop offering.
Many Poles are already replacing the supermarket with the offer of e-grocery shops, but the range available online is not always satisfactory to them. According to the report 'e-Commerce in times of crisis 2020', as many as 59% of those planning to buy groceries online rate their availability as bad or very bad. On the other hand, this is also indicative of rising customer expectations. 
According to the Mobile Institute's survey for Frisco, they value above all time saving (this answer was indicated by 38% of respondents), intuitive comparison of offers (35%) and efficient delivery (33%).
Undoubtedly, one of the biggest challenges for the industry as a whole will be to keep the momentum going once the pandemic is over. When the disease curve was hitting new records, such shops were very popular due to the epidemiological situation and customer concerns about the safety of stationary shopping.
If the industry introduces a number of modifications that will convince customers of e-grocery on a slightly wider scale, it is quite likely that this shopping model will gain considerable popularity in Poland. A key role will be played by, among other things, professional logistics facilities and the development of the assortment available online.
Is e-grocery the future of grocery shopping?
Experts at Grand View Research Inc. estimate that the global e-grocery market is expected to be worth as much as USD 2158 billion in 2030. It is estimated that it will develop particularly intensively in Central and Eastern Europe, where online grocery shopping is still relatively unpopular.
Today, according to a GfK study, the cornerstones of European e-grocery are e-supermarkets, sales platforms and specialist shops. These have been used frequently (at least twice in the last two months) by 28 and 26% of Europeans respectively.
The most important e-grocery trends relate to the development of precisely these three market segments allowing the fulfilment of diverse consumer needs - from everyday grocery shopping to the delivery of more specialised orders, including luxury and exotic goods.
The sector of services supporting online shopping is also growing very strongly. This one is based on courier platforms that allow the automation of order processing and the delivery of products directly to the indicated address.
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