The Future of Grocery: Online Grocery, Meal Kits, & Direct-to-Consumer Food

Best Price Guarantee	Length	Publisher	Published Date	SKU
from $4,500	255 Pages	Packaged Facts	July, 2021	LA16717879

Attention: There is an updated edition available for this report.

Best Price Guarantee
Price	from $4,500
Length	255 Pages
Publisher	Packaged Facts
Published Date	July, 2021
SKU	LA16717879

The Future of Grocery: Online Grocery, Meal Kits, & Direct-to-Consumer Food

The U.S. online grocery market is projected to expand at an average rate of 20% annually, reaching $280 billion in 2025. Sales will decelerate after the pandemic-induced boom of sales in 2020 and 2021, as the market will continue to grow from the high base of sales established in 2020 from a pandemic boost. This report also analyses the $6 billion U.S. online market for meal kits, which is projected to grow at an average rate of 21% annually through 2025.

Scope of the Report

This report covers the scope, size, and growth of the U.S. online grocery market. This market includes food and beverage products sold online from retailers such as grocery stores, mass merchandisers, online-based stores, brands that sell food products direct-to-consumer, prepared meal delivery services, third-party delivery companies such as Instacart, and co-ops and farmers’ markets. Online grocery sales in 2020 are segmented by fulfillment type (third party delivery, pickup, shipment, and local delivery), retailer category (third-party pack-and-deliver companies, grocery stores/supermarkets, mass merchandisers/warehouse clubs, online only retailers, and farmers’ markets/organics/other), and product category (pantry/frozen, meats and seafood, fresh produce, beverages, dairy and eggs, bakery items, and prepared meals and other foods).

This report also covers the scope, size, and growth of the U.S. online meal kit market. This market includes fresh ingredient meal kits sold online by retailers such as Kroger as well as meal kit delivery services such as HelloFresh and SunBasket.
Market share for the online grocery market and the meal kit market are also provided with analysis of some of the top companies in these arenas.

Additionally, the report has numerous tables showcasing numerical survey data on usage rates and consumer demographics and psychographics, as well as numerous marketing photographs. This report goes in-depth on COVID-19 trends affecting the food and beverage market. This report places strong focus on growth opportunities and “what’s next” for the online grocery market.
Primary research includes national online consumer polls of U.S. adult consumers (age 18+) conducted on an ongoing basis by Packaged Facts to analyze attitudes of consumers and their relevant food and beverage preferences.

Survey data from MRI-Simmons are used to analyze the demographics and psychographics of consumers who purchase food or beverage products online.

Executive Summary
- The Future of Grocery Delivery
- Online Grocery Shopping Driven by Convenience
- Expansion of Online Grocery Shopping Led by Third-Party Player Instacart
- COVID-19 and Beyond
- Opportunities for Growth
- Key Consumer Trends
- Scope
COVID-19 Impacts on Consumers
- Highlights
- First Time Use of Convenient Food Ordering Methods In 2020
  - Table Coronavirus Food Purchase Habits: "Because of the coronavirus, I have for the first time used…", 2020 (percent of consumers)
- Increasing Use of Convenient Food Ordering Methods Continuing Through 2021
  - Table Coronavirus Food Purchase Habits: "Because of the coronavirus, I am…", 2020-2021 (percent of consumers)
- Many Consumers Continue to Have Changed Behavior, While Some Are Returning to a Pre-COVID Normal
- Consumer Concerns About Food Safety and Waste Are Rising in the Wake of the Pandemic
  - Table Coronavirus Concerns about Safety and Food Waste: "Because of the coronavirus, I am…", 2020 (percent of consumers)
- Consumers Who Are Buying More Groceries Online and Using More Grocery Pickup or Delivery Services Express Greater Concerns about the Coronavirus
  - Table Coronavirus Health Concerns: "I am concerned about the…", 2020-2021 (percent of consumers)
  - Table Coronavirus Health Concerns: "I am concerned about the…", February-March 2021 (percent of consumers)
  - Table Coronavirus Health Concerns: "I am concerned about the…", June 2021 (percent of consumers)
- Consumers Who Report Using Online Grocery Ordering More Are Experiencing More Negative Personal Effects of the Pandemic
  - Table Coronavirus Concerns: "The coronavirus has negatively affected my…", 2020-2021 (percent of consumers)
  - Table Coronavirus Concerns: "The coronavirus has negatively affected my…", February-March 2021 (percent of consumers)
  - Table Coronavirus Concerns: "The coronavirus has negatively affected my…", February-March 2021 (percent of consumers)
- Effects on Work Are Continuing in 2021 and Higher Among Those Buying Groceries Online More
  - Table Coronavirus Concerns: "Because of the coronavirus, I…", 2021 (percent of consumers)
- Changes to Eating Habits
  - Table Coronavirus Eating Habits: "Because of the coronavirus, I am eating more…", 2021 (percent of consumers)
- Shopping Patterns Are Shifting, With Many Consumers Cutting Back on Spending and Shopping Less Inside Stores
  - Table Coronavirus Food Purchase Habits: "Because of the coronavirus, I am…", 2021 (percent of consumers)
Overview and Market Trends
- Highlights
- The COVID-19 Pandemic Was the Jumpstart the Online Grocery Market Needed
- Convenience the Ultimate Selling Point for Busy Consumers
- U.S. Online Grocery Shopping Well Behind Other Countries, but There Are Opportunities for Expansion and Continued Household Adoption
- Direct Sellers and Home Delivery Companies
  - DTC Companies Tackling Niche Health Food Markets with Meal Kits, Prepared Meals, and Online Grocery
    - Table Selected Meal, Meal Kit, and Grocery Delivery Services by Date Founded, Services Offered, and Geographic Area Served
  - New Companies and Products with Niche Appeal May Choose DTC Channels
  - Subscriptions Save Consumers Money and Boost Sales
  - Private Labels
    - Table Selected Online Private Label Grocery Brands
  - Imperfect or "Ugly" Produce Has Become an Attractive Option for Consumers, but Food Waste Claims Are Being Re-Examined
- Brick and Mortar Stores Expanding and Promoting E-Commerce Options
  - Retail Stores Rely More On Impulse Purchases
  - Private Label Products Are a Driver of In-Store Traffic, Online Sales, and Retailer Loyalty
    - Table Selected Private Label Grocery Brands Available Via Online Ordering
  - Launching Online Grocery Shopping Via Third-Party Delivery Companies
  - Expanding Direct Grocery Store Ordering Options
  - "Dark Stores" or Grocery Fulfillment Centers Can Increase Operational Efficiency
  - Third-Party Ordering Platforms Make Offering Online Groceries Possible for Independents
    - Table Selected Online Grocery Platform Providers
  - Continuing Challenges to Online Grocery Services Satisfying Consumer Desires
  - Pickup Can Solve the Last-Mile Problem
- Meal Kit Delivery Services
  - Celebrity Endorsements Used as a Marketing Tactic
  - Meal Kit Options Targeted at Specific Demographics and Diets
  - Increasingly Offering Prepared Ingredients to Save Time and Reduce Mess
  - Meal Kits Are Not Just a Product – The Service is Also Like a Home Cooking Class
  - Offering Meal Kits Without a Subscription/Via Stores
  - Customization of Meals and Varying Levels of Preparation Required
  - Lower Price Meal Kits for Price-Sensitive Consumers
- Meal Delivery Services
  - Convenient Meal Delivery Services Emphasizing Freshness and Healthy Foods
  - Targeting Specialized Demographics
  - Local and Regional Meal Delivery Companies Are Emphasizing Local Ingredients and Compete with National Providers
  - Customized Meal Delivery Catering to Special Diets and Weight Loss Plans
- Community Supported Agriculture and Farmers' Markets
  - Creating Online Marketplaces and Collaborating with Local Producers
  - CSAs Joining the Meal Kit Market Through Partnerships or New Product Offerings
Market Size, Forecasts, and Historical Trends
- Highlights
- Scope
- Historical Online Grocery Market
  - Table U.S. Online Grocery Sales, 2015-2020 (billion dollars)
  - Share of the Market by Fulfillment Type
  - Share of the Market by Retailer Category
  - Share of the Market by Product Category
- Online Grocery Forecast
  - Table U.S. Online Grocery Sales, 2020-2025P (billion dollars)
- Meal Kit Forecast
  - Table U.S. Meal Kit Delivery Service Sales, 2019-2020, 2021-2025P (million dollars)
Use of Food Ordering Methods and Online Food Purchases
- Highlights
- Use of Food Delivery and Pickup Options
  - Table Use of Food Delivery and Pickup Options in the Last 12 Months, 2021 (percent of consumers)
  - Strong Overlap Between Services
    - Table Strong Overlap in Use of Food Delivery and Pickup Options in the Last 12 Months, 2021 (percent of consumers)
  - Most Online Grocery Shoppers Reveal Buying Food Online At Least Once Per Month
    - Table Frequency of Use of Food Delivery and Pickup Options in the Last 3 Months, 2021 (percent of consumers who used these services in the last 12 months)
- Use of Meal Kits and Prepared Meals from Retailers
  - Table Use of Meal Kits or Prepared Meals from Retailers in the Last 12 Months, 2021 (percent of consumers)
  - Frequency of Use
    - Table Frequency of Use of Meal Kits or Prepared Meals from Retailers in the Last 3 Months, 2021 (percent of consumers who used these products in the last 12 months)
- Frequency of Using Convenient Food and Food Ordering Methods
  - Table Frequency of Using Convenient Foods and Food Ordering Methods in the Past 12 Months, 2020 (percent of consumers)
- Use of Online Grocery Ordering/Delivery Services
  - Table Online Grocery Ordering/Delivery Services Used, 2020 (percent of consumers)
- Online Purchases of Alcoholic Beverages
  - Table Alcoholic Beverages Bought Online, 2021 (percent of consumers)
- Use of Meal Kit Delivery Services
  - Table Use of Meal Kit Delivery Services, 2020 (percent of consumers)
Growth Opportunities
- Highlights
- Targeting Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation, Who Are Less Likely to Shop Online
  - Meal Kits and Prepared Meals for Older Consumers
- Expansion of Meal Delivery Options for Children and Families
- Appealing to Customers Trying to Resist Impulse Buys
- Further Acceptance of the Outsourcing of Individual Item Selection
- Label Readers Can Get Additional Product Information Online
- AI-Powered Voice Technology for Increased Convenience
- VR and AR Shopping Experiences
- Micro-Fulfillment Can Boost Profits and Delivery Speeds
- Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Fulfillment Automation
- Delivery Via Drones or Automated Vehicles
- Creating a Seamless Omnichannel Experience
- Target Special Occasions to Interest Infrequent Customers
- Offering Expiring/Clearance Items for Sale Online
Online Grocery, Meal Kit, and Meal Delivery Service Providers
- Highlights
- Mergers & Acquisitions
  - Table Selected Online Grocery Mergers & Acquisitions, 2020–2021
- Venture Capital Stimulating Startups
  - Table Selected Investment in Online Grocery and Related Companies, 2018–2021 (dollars in millions)
- Online Grocery Market Share
  - Instacart
  - Walmart
  - Amazon
  - Kroger
  - Ahold Delhaize
  - Target
  - FreshDirect
- Meal Kit Delivery Services Market Share
  - HelloFresh
  - Home Chef
  - Sunbasket
- Competing Products and Services
  - Home Chef Services Compete with the Meal Kit and Meal Delivery Concept
  - Restaurant Delivery from Third Parties
Consumer Demographics
- Highlights
- Trends by Gender
  - Table Use of Online Grocery and Meal Kit Delivery Services by Gender, 2020 (percent of consumers)
  - Table Use of Convenient Food Ordering Methods in the Past 12 Months by Gender, 2021 (percent of consumers)
  - Table Use of Online Food Ordering Methods More Due to the Coronavirus by Gender, 2021 (percent of consumers)
- Trends by Age Bracket
  - Table Use of Online Grocery and Meal Kit Delivery Services by Age Bracket, 2020 (percent of consumers)
  - Table Use of Convenient Food Ordering Methods in the Past 12 Months by Age Bracket, 2021 (percent of consumers)
  - Table Use of Online Food Ordering Methods More Due to the Coronavirus by Age Bracket, 2021 (percent of consumers)
- Patterns Based on Household Income
  - Table Use of Online Grocery and Meal Kit Delivery Services by Household Income Bracket, 2020 (percent of consumers)
  - Table Use of Convenient Food Ordering Methods in the Past 12 Months by Household Income Bracket, 2021 (percent of consumers)
  - Table Use of Online Food Ordering Methods More Due to the Coronavirus by Household Income Bracket, 2021 (percent of consumers)
- Regional Differences
  - Table Use of Online Grocery and Meal Kit Delivery Services by U.S. Region, 2020 (percent of consumers)
  - Table Use of Convenient Food Ordering Methods in the Past 12 Months by U.S. Region, 2021 (percent of consumers)
  - Table Use of Online Food Ordering Methods More Due to the Coronavirus by U.S. Region, 2021 (percent of consumers)
- Urban, Suburban, and Rural Consumers
  - Table Use of Online Grocery and Meal Kit Delivery Services by County Size, 2020 (percent of consumers)
  - Table Use of Convenient Food Ordering Methods in the Past 12 Months by Urban, Suburban, or Rural Living, 2021 (percent of consumers)
  - Table Use of Online Food Ordering Methods More Due to the Coronavirus by Urban, Suburban, or Rural Living, 2021 (percent of consumers)
- Educational Attainment
  - Table Use of Online Grocery and Meal Kit Delivery Services by Educational Attainment, 2020 (percent of consumers)
  - Table Use of Convenient Food Ordering Methods in the Past 12 Months by Educational Attainment, 2021 (percent of consumers)
  - Table Use of Online Food Ordering Methods More Due to the Coronavirus by Educational Attainment, 2021 (percent of consumers)
- Presence of Children in the Household
  - Table Use of Online Grocery and Meal Kit Delivery Services by Educational Attainment, 2020 (percent of consumers)
  - Table Use of Convenient Food Ordering Methods in the Past 12 Months by Presence of Children in HH, 2021 (percent of consumers)
  - Table Use of Online Food Ordering Methods More Due to the Coronavirus by Presence of Children in HH, 2021 (percent of consumers)
- Race/Ethnicity
  - Table Use of Online Grocery and Meal Kit Delivery Services by Race/Ethnicity, 2020 (percent of consumers)
  - Table Use of Convenient Food Ordering Methods in the Past 12 Months by Race/Ethnicity, 2021 (percent of consumers)
  - Table Use of Online Food Ordering Methods More Due to the Coronavirus by Race/Ethnicity, 2021 (percent of consumers)
- Plant-Forward Consumers
  - Table Use of Online Grocery and Meal Kit Delivery Services by Primary Diet/Eating Philosophy, 2020 (percent of consumers)
  - Table Use of Convenient Food Ordering Methods in the Past 12 Months by Primary Diet/Eating Philosophy, 2021 (percent of consumers)
  - Table Frequent Use of Convenient Foods and Food Ordering Methods in the Past 12 Months by Primary Diet/Eating Philosophy, 2020 (percent of consumers)
Consumer Psychographics
- Highlights
- Strong Overlap with Clean Label Ideals
  - Table Frequent Use of Convenient Foods and Food Ordering Methods in the Past 12 Months by Frequency of Adhering to a Clean Label Diet, 2020 (percent of consumers)
  - Table Use of Convenient Food Ordering Methods in the Past 12 Months by Clean Label Preferences, 2021 (percent of consumers)
- Food Attitudes
  - Table Consumer Food Attitudes and Behaviors, 2020 (percent of consumers who agree completely)
- Health Attitudes
  - Table Consumer Health Attitudes and Behaviors, 2020 (percent of consumers who agree strongly)
- Opinions on Nutrition and Foods
  - Table Consumer Opinions on Nutrition and Food Healthfulness, 2021 (percent of consumers)
- Willingness to Pay More for Convenient Food Delivery or Premium Foods
  - Table Willingness to Pay More for Convenient Food Delivery or Premium Foods, 2021 (percent of consumers)
- Special Diets/Eating Restrictions/Food Preferences
  - Table Following Special Diets/Eating Restrictions/Food Preferences Always, Almost Always, or Usually, 2021 (percent of consumers)
- Reasons for Consumers Ordering Groceries or Meal Kits Online
  - Table "Why do you order groceries online for pickup or delivery?", 2021 (percent of consumers)
  - Table "Why do you have fresh ingredient meal kits delivered?", 2021 (percent of consumers)
- Why Do So Many Online Shoppers Not Shop for Groceries or Meal Kits Online?
  - Table "Why do you not have food or beverage groceries delivered?", 2021 (percent of consumers)
  - Table "Why do you not have meal kits delivered?", 2021 (percent of consumers)
Packaging Trends
- Highlights
- The Balance Between Effective, Sustainable, and Low-Cost Packaging
- Targeting Excessive Packaging for Reduction and Elimination
- Protective Packaging Is Important For Product Integrity
- A Shift from Expensive Set-Up Boxes to Other Paper Packaging
- Reusable Packaging
- Opportunities for Biodegradable and Compostable Packaging
- Consumers Who Are Buying Groceries Online, Using Curbside Pickup, or Using 3rd Party or Grocery Store Delivery Services More Show Greater Concern About Packaging Waste and Sustainability
  - Recycling and Household Waste
    - Table Consumer Opinions on Recycling and Household Waste, 2021 (percent of consumers who strongly agree)
  - Proper Disposal of Products
    - Table Consumer Opinions on Taking Responsibility for Proper Disposal of Products, 2021 (percent of consumers who strongly agree)
  - Opinions on Packaging Materials
    - Table Consumer Opinions on Packaging Materials, 2021 (percent of consumers who strongly agree)
  - Types of Packaging Consumers Look for
    - Table "Do you especially look for any of the following in terms of "sustainability" or "eco-friendly" packaging?", 2021 (percent of consumers)