Shoppers value the in-store grocery experience more than ever and expect stores to deliver many of the conveniences they've grown accustomed to online.

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2026 U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends

Discover four key insights about how Americans shop for groceries in 2026.

Report 1 of 4

How many people are grocery shopping in-store?



Physical grocery stores remain a critical part of the grocery shopping experience.

54%
Always shop in-store
at their primary store

54% of grocery shoppers always shop in-store when shopping at their primary store. 20% of grocery shoppers mostly shop in-store and 15% grocery shop in-store and online about the same amount.

 

Report 2 of 4

Why are people still grocery shopping in-person?

Pragmatic Benefits

Greater sense of control, confidence and efficiency

ComparisonEvaluationDiscoveryAvailability

Grocery shopping in person gives people a greater sense of control, confidence and efficiency, especially when choosing perishable items like produce and meat.

 

Social Benefits

Important social role in caring and staying connected

HealthEnjoymentConnectionSocial TimeEducationCulture

Shopping in person plays an important social role, helping people care for their households and stay connected to food, culture and shared experiences. 

 

What would shoppers miss most if they couldn't grocery shop in person?

48% Being Able to Select Products
22% Human Connection
22% Enjoyable Experience
21% In-store Selection
20% Lower Cost
17% Discovery
15% Ease of Shopping

 

If grocery shoppers could not shop in person, they would miss being able to select products (48%), human connection (22%), enjoyable experiences (22%), in-store selection (21%), lower cost (20%), discovery (17%) and ease of shopping (15%).

Report 3 of 4

What do shoppers want from an in-store grocery experience?

Shoppers are more loyal to stores that are intentionally designed around their needs.

Shop in a clean, neat store
73%
Examine produce up close
69%
Easy shopping experience
69%
Find aisles/departments easily
69%

When grocery shopping in-store, shoppers want clean, neat stores (73%), to examine produce up close (69%), an easy shopping experience (69%) and the ability to find aisles or departments easily (69%).

Report 4 of 4

How do shoppers use digital technology at the grocery store?

77%
BEFORE shopping
77 percent of grocery shoppers are digitally engaged before they shop.
71%
WHILE shopping
71 percent are of grocery shoppers are digitally engaged while grocery shopping.

Top Digital Tools Used for Grocery Shopping

Retailer Apps
54%
Websites
37%
Web Search
39%

While shopping in person, 54% of grocery shoppers use retailer apps, 39% conduct a web search and 37% visit retailer or manufacturer websites on their phones.