Posted On: Feb 28, 2025

Future Trends in Grocery Delivery Apps: From AI to Virtual Shopping

For the earlier five years, price rise, supply chain disruptions, and labor shortages have been distressing the grocery industry, making it typical for individuals to shop. While some progress has been made, many customers face challenges. To address inflation, shoppers are turning to cheaper private-label brands and bulk-buying options.

Additionally, they are exploring alternatives like online shopping, subscription boxes, and special warehouses that focus on fast delivery, no-frills purchases.

Future of Grocery Shopping

The future of grocery shopping is exciting, though. It’s all possible due to pioneering novelties like AI-powered bespoke shopping experiences, effective home delivery services, and virtual grocery assistants. These high-tech progressions are changing the way people buy groceries, making it more convenient for them, automating tasks like inventory management, performing check-in and check-outs. They aim to reduce manpower costs, boost profit margins, and enhance product availability, ensuring a more efficient and seamless shopping experience.

Future Trends in Grocery Delivery Apps

Read below the latest future trends that you can expect in grocery delivery apps.

• Smart Shopping

Inflation remains a substantial concern for consumers, with increasing food prices continuing to impact grocery buying decisions. In February 2024, 70% of shoppers cited food prices as a top issue. Regardless of a small reduction in average grocery spending to $154 in December 2023 from $165 the previous year, spending is still higher than in 2015, when it was $101. Cost has become the primary factor for shoppers when trying new products, with 78% of Gen Z shoppers comparing unit prices, a higher percentage than Gen X (69%).

To match the dynamic needs, grocery stores are offering more inexpensive private-label options, which have seen a 5% increase in sales, making up 19% of total grocery revenue in 2023. Retailers are also exploring innovative models like subscription services, such as ButcherBox, which allows customers to tailor their orders and delivery schedules. The purpose of these strategies is to offer value while adapting to the needs of price-conscious shoppers.

• Omnichannel grocery Shopping

In the Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG) industry, omnichannel shoppers contribute $0.86 of every dollar spent, with one in five combining both in-store visits and online orders. The grocery retailers must provide an omnichannel experience that results in seamless interaction across different mobile applications, social media channels, and e-commerce platforms. The omnichannel strategies aid grocery store owners to meet the expectations of modern shoppers and also, build brand loyalty.

Trusted grocery businesses are adopting such strategies to improve customer convenience and engagement at every touchpoint. For example: Owned by Amazon, Whole Foods Market combines the capability of digital convenience with in-person shopping, allowing customers to order items online and pick them up in-store. Amazon stores also offer Prime membership, creating a more personalized and rewarding shopping experience! Prime members benefit from exclusive deals.

• Intelligent Supply Chain Management

The ripple effects of crop failures and geopolitical uncertainty are being felt in supply chains, forcing grocery retailers to adjust their fulfillment methods. With nearly 60% of grocers dealing with significant supply chain challenges. To solve this, they’re turning to Artificial Intelligence. AI-driven tools are helping them manage their supply chains more effectively.

AI-driven tools are transforming supply chain management by helping retailers analyze data, identify alternative suppliers, optimize delivery routes, and improve demand forecasting. This enables grocery store owners to mitigate disruptions, manage inventory in real time, and maintain optimal stock levels.

Additionally, AI automates goods receipt verification, reduces errors, and ensures consistent product availability, allowing retailers to navigate supply chain challenges and adapt to consumer demands more efficiently.

• Growth of Dark Stores

Dark stores are micro-fulfillment centers—specialized facilities designed exclusively for processing online grocery orders. Unlike conventional grocery stores, they do not accommodate walk-in customers. Instead, shoppers use apps to browse the store’s available inventory, select their items, and choose between fast delivery or convenient curbside pickup.

The entire process is highly streamlined, with orders being quickly picked, packed, and ready within minutes, ensuring both speed and accuracy.

The rising popularity of dark stores has attracted significant investments, with Gopuff raising nearly $4 billion and Gorillas securing $44 million, reflecting strong investor confidence in this innovative grocery model.

By eliminating traditional layouts, checkout counters, and in-store staff, dark stores cut costs while optimizing space and operations. With a sole focus on order fulfillment, these facilities operate with greater efficiency, maximizing resources and reducing overhead expenses.

• Rise of E-Grocery Buying

Grocery e-commerce is taking off due to the development of user-friendly mobile apps. On-demand grocery apps are transforming the industry and changing the entire game. Customers now enjoy the benefits of shopping from home with options like delivery or curbside pickup. To keep pace with this growing trend, retailers must enhance their online platforms, streamline payment processes, and optimize inventory management for a smoother, more efficient shopping experience.

Key factors include:

1. Easy-to-use mobile apps.
2. Fast delivery services, including same-day or one-hour options.
3. Subscription plans with discounts for frequent shoppers.

Conclusion

Whether you own a grocery store, a supermarket chain, or manage multiple stores, Grofee helps you expand your business by offering online grocery, food, and household item delivery straight to customers’ doorsteps. It’s an online grocery application designed specifically for grocers to simplify, automate, and optimize their store operations with ease.