People are unique, aren’t they? Just think about it. We all have different hobbies and food preferences, giving us our own personal take on life. And this extends even to something as commonplace as grocery shopping. Different age groups do it differently – let’s dive into this a bit more.

Let’s start with how we shop. With the rising trend of in-store pickups, curbside services, and deliveries, online grocery shopping is becoming the new norm. Now, who do you think is leading this change? It’s Gen Z, the group that’s had the most exposure to technology throughout their lives. These tech wizards are more than comfortable using store apps and delivery services for their grocery shopping, citing ease of access as the main reason. About half of them choose this method regularly.

And guess who’s right behind them? The Millennials. Also known as Gen Y, they too feel at ease with this tech-driven approach. An astounding 72% of them reported using a grocery store app in the past year. Both Gen Z and Millennials can be labeled as ‘omnichannel shoppers’ because they use a variety of methods to get what they want, as fast as they can. It’s no surprise, really. They’ve grown up in a world where instant gratification and next-day delivery are the norm.

When it comes to Gen X, however, things start to change. They don’t use online channels for grocery shopping as much as the younger generations. Only about 9% of them regularly buy grocery items through their mobile device, preferring the traditional in-person shopping experience. This is three times more than the Baby Boomers, who are the least likely to use mobile technology for grocery shopping. That being said, digital coupon usage is on the rise among the 60-and-above age group.

Let’s also talk about the frequency of online and in-person shopping. A 2023 report found that 58% of Gen Z and 60% of Millennials increased the frequency of their online grocery shopping, with 44% of them placing orders online every week. And during these orders, roughly 41% of grocery shoppers in both groups spent between $51 and $100 each time. These rates are considerably lower for Gen X and Baby Boomers.

But don’t worry, brick-and-mortar stores haven’t been left in the dust. All generations are still doing their fair share of in-person shopping. A study found that at least 70% of U.S. consumers shop at five or more stores a month, with 50% visiting two stores per shopping trip. So while online ordering is on the rise, in-store shopping is still holding its own.

In conclusion, it’s fascinating to see how grocery shopping trends vary among different generations. While online grocery shopping is becoming more popular, especially among Gen Z and Millennials, in-store shopping still remains a preferred method for many. It will be interesting to see how these trends evolve in the future.