Grocery delivery is becoming normal practice for consumers and it will remain strong even after lockdown ends, according to HIM and MCA Insight.

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According to the company’s Channel Pulse data for the week beginning 1 June 2020, grocery delivery continues to see strong growth for breakfast, dinner and snack occasions, recording its highest ever share at breakfast (20.3%, up 2.4 percentage points) since lockdown started. Growth in delivery from retail is also apparent at dinner (+2.0pp) and snack (+0.6pp).

Recipe boxes saw their highest positive swing so far (+28%) in terms of which channels consumers expect to be using more of in the next week, fuelled partly by Gousto’s announcement that it is re-opening registration for new customers.

Good prices are consistently amongst the top three consumer needs across all meal occasions in terms of where consumers choose to shop. This week this need has increased at breakfast (+4pp), dinner (+2pp) and snack (+2pp) occasions. Therefore it will be essential for retailers to promote a positive price perception so that shoppers feel they are getting good value for money, says HIM & MCA.

Blonnie Walsh, head of insight at HIM & MCA Insight said: “The UK is approaching three months in lockdown. Over this time, shoppers have adapted their routines to ensure they still have access to the things that they need.

“Despite lockdown easing, we are seeing some of these new routines remain. Grocery delivery is certainly one of them, as usage continues to grow. Shoppers have found a routine that suits them, and they are sticking to it. This may partly be to avoid busy supermarkets, but no doubt many shoppers are enjoying having extra time for other things and will look keep this timesaving once lockdown ends.”