Consumers have fundamentally changed the way they shop for groceries in 2020, shifting from a largely in-store shopping experience to an emphasis on finding a great supermarket online. Looking ahead to the rest of the decade, it’s clear that more and more shoppers will continue to order their favorite items and brands from the comfort of home, which is exactly why online supermarket shopping will remain relevant throughout the upcoming decade.
From groceries to delis to full-service restaurants, the online food retail revolution has arrived in full force. Here are some of the ways online supermarkets can not only improve their sales but also create a better online ordering experience that spurs customer loyalty in a digital-first world.
Personalization
We’re all accustomed to having our next favorite movie recommended for us on Netflix or Amazon Prime, yet when it comes to online food retail, consumers often face a vast sea of options. Rather than narrowing them down on their own, customers prefer to have personalized recommendations given to them to create an eCommerce experience that’s based on their desires.
Whether it’s a restaurant’s most popular dishes, a grocery store’s best-selling sundries, or any single customer’s most frequently ordered items, retailers have the opportunity to give tailored recommendations that increase sales volume and frequency. It’s no longer just a nice-to-have either: Customers receive this level of personalization on virtually all of their most-frequently visited websites, including social media and online retail sites. They now expect the same from grocery stores and restaurants.
Convenience
Quarantines and lockdown measures may have compelled shoppers to buy online, but the convenience of home delivery cannot be overlooked. Moreover, stores can now offer scheduled touchless curbside pickup, which is essential during a pandemic. As consumers grow accustomed to selecting products via an app and schedule delivery, stores without this level of convenience are being left behind.
Building a strong eCommerce infrastructure not only provides better options for consumers but provides easier order fulfillment for restaurants as well. It’s this double-win that acts as an excellent way forward for independent restaurants.
The best path forward for restaurants building an online presence is to recreate the experience of in-building dining as accurately as possible. This includes having the right side dishes, add-ons, and other order modifications customers are used to asking for from their waiter. Having those customization capabilities online gives the visitor more power over their order, and makes them more willing to return time and again.
Responsiveness
The world in 2020 moves rapidly. Items fly off the shelves faster than some places can restock, and customers now need to call ahead at times to know what’s in stock and when opening hours are.
An online supermarket infrastructure gives consumers a way to browse, compare, and order products at their leisure, while giving companies access to the right data to make decisions in a fast-moving environment. While the e-grocery space is increasingly competitive, there’s room for businesses of all sizes to adapt their strategies for the best customer experience possible.
Your Best Online Supermarket
Bringing a superb online supermarket shopping experience to customers means focusing on three factors: personalization, convenience, and responsiveness. Implementing all three can be difficult, however, the right white-label solution will get you up and running faster than the competition.
If you want to create greater customer loyalty and see your online restaurant sales rise, it’s important to have the right eCommerce infrastructure to get you started. To get started for free, get in touch with us today and see how the right digital restaurant platform can help your business soar.