Grocery e-commerce sales jump over 15% as in-store sales fall

· Agriculture & Food

Online food and beverage sales rose more than 15% in the four weeks ended Oct. 4, while physical grocery store sales fell almost 3%, according to data from market research firm Circana. The figures show the two channels moving in opposite directions as shoppers shift more of their food spending to digital ordering. For food manufacturers and retailers, the divergence signals a continuing migration of volume away from store shelves and toward e-commerce platforms, a shift that affects how products are merchandised, priced and distributed. Circana's four-week window offers the most recent read on the split between the two channels.

Why it matters:The channel shift determines where food brands invest in merchandising and fulfillment, and a sustained gap would pressure traditional grocers' volumes.

Key points

  • Circana tracked the four weeks ended Oct. 4.
  • Online food and beverage sales grew more than 15%.
  • Physical store sales declined almost 3% over the same period.

Sources (original reporting)

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