Easy meal choices and bulk purchases were among the top shopping trends observed by Meijer a year into the pandemic. As consumers ate more at home, they turned to grab-and-go options like rotisserie chicken or premade meals to help feed their families. In addition, customers learned to stock up on produce like potatoes, tomatoes, apples, oranges, lemons, and grapefruits in bagged quantities to maximize convenience and price.
Other shopping trends the grocer noticed include increased sales of products like board games, bikes, pools and grills; a more than 300 percent in demand for fitness items; a consumer desire to add comfort to home offices; and a larger focus on home organizing and food storage.
Home delivery and pickup services doubled at Meijer stores over the last 12 months, and customers used the retailer's Shop & Scan technology more than 100 million times as they shopped and bagged while practicing social distancing to shorten time spent in the store. In addition, Meijer Express locations, which saw an expected decrease in gas sales due to less commuting, became destinations for customers seeking quick trips as shutdowns reduced retailer hours.
"We continue to applaud our store teams that worked diligently throughout the pandemic to find solutions that would help our customers find the products they needed while keeping their families safe. It was a year rife with challenge, and although it's not yet over, we see a light at the end of the tunnel," said Peter Whitsett, executive vice president of merchandising and marketing, in a statement. "As communities have begun to re-open, we're continuing to find new ways to be flexible as customers reshape their shopping habits for the warmer weather of a new year."
Related: Meijer to Help Vaccinate Teachers; Meijer to Host Supplier Diversity Event.
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