Browsing for food: Will COVID?induced online grocery delivery persist?

The COVID-19 pandemic altered daily activities. Many consumers reverted to online grocery shopping and home delivery. We analyze factors associated with the decision shop whether this will persist post-COVID using data collected via a representative Qualtrics panel in State of New Jersey (N = 1,419). Around half respondents either decreased in-person shopping, increased or pursued combination both. used factor analysis decompose attitudes towards pandemic, finding that attitudinal responses broke down into ‘fearful’, ‘believers’, ‘deniers’. Binomial regressions were patterns frequency during changes behavior pandemic. Results suggest age, gender, ethnicity, educational attainment, having children at home, are likely influence shopping. Specifically, being 50 years older is negatively Those who deny less decrease People had advanced degrees, Hispanic origin more increase While our results return prepandemic levels, we found report some persistence post-COVID. La pandemia de alteró las actividades cotidianas. Muchos consumidores recurrieron la compra alimentos por Internet y entrega domicilio. Se analizaron los factores asociados decisión comprar en el supermercado si esta persistirá después COVID, para lo cual se utilizaron datos recogidos través un representativo línea estado Nueva 1.419). Alrededor mitad encuestados redujeron compras persona, aumentaron o realizaron una combinación ambas. utilizó análisis factorial desagregar actitudes hacia pandemia, con que descubrió respuestas actitud dividían ‘temerosos’, ‘creyentes’ ‘negadores’. regresiones binomiales analizar patrones frecuencia durante cambios comportamiento misma. Los resultados sugieren edad, género, origen étnico, nivel estudios, hecho tener hijos casa pueden influir persona. En concreto, años más asocia negativamente Internet. niegan fueron menos propensos disminuir Las personas tenían casa, títulos superiores eran hispano propensas aumentar persona pandemia. Aunque nuestros volverán niveles prepandémicos, encontró reportaron mayor persistencia COVID. COVID-19?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????Qualtrics?????????(N=1,419)??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????COVID-19?????????????????????????fearful(?????)??believer(?????)??denier(??????)?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????COVID-19?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????50?????????????????????????????????????????COVID-19????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????COVID-19?????????????????????????????????????????????????? Shopping for groceries an integral part people's lives. During early stages prior implementation ‘stay-at-home’ orders, activity was severely disrupted. Grocery shelves empty because hoarding, cases, supply disruptions. turned as alternative, but time, ability book delivery slot almost impossible, demand outstripped companies provide service, although eventually resolved, allowing those desired purchase do so. In study determine what habits might after subsides. From 2019 2020, US food-at-home expenditure from $808.0 billion $876.8 billion. Meanwhile, food-away-from-home spending (such take-out, restaurant pick-up, eating restaurant) $978.2 $813.4 For first time since 2008, food expenditures accounted than 50% total (USDA, 2021). Needless say, has transformed way people groceries. 2019, around 11% ordered least once month. 2021, number jumped 23%. On other hand, frequent (more week) declined. buying making fewer trips store, frequently online, both (Brenan, type changed well. Fresh foods purchased by 200% began slow mid-2021 (Dillard, Prior made up small growing share market. proportion shoppers surged, 45% reporting now before When normalcy returns, expectation continue online. Our based on survey 1,419 Jersey, panel. included variety questions measure transportation expectations change Among these aimed examining before, during, (expected) administered between November 2020 February 2021 (coincidentally winter peak Jersey). contributes literature analyzing expected post-pandemic; due also explore willingness case study. include sociodemographic economic variables previously considered literature, while including following novel determinants: have availability working (deemed ‘deniers’, ‘fearful’), Web Science (WOS) database gather search string ‘online shopping’, ‘e-grocery yielded 115 articles, 62 (54%) which published 2021. Sixteen (14%) articles focus impact Online market United States. it estimated 43% Americans 21% did so monthly, 10% biweekly (Cohen et al., 2020; Jones & Kashanchi, 2019). Nonetheless, even regular users services still shopped (Pitts 2018). common among upper-income adults earning $100,000. Adults employed full slightly buy Additional reasons avoiding crowds long lines, caring sick family member, transitioning new residence Barriers inconvenience waiting deliveries, fees, out stock items, inappropriate substitutions. Eighty-three percent week declined 79% Various demographic been be likelihood engaging Generally, younger adults, males, children, high positive (Farag 2007; Goethals 2012; Hiser 1999; Jaller Pahwa, Naseri Elliott, 2011; Van Droogenbroeck Hove, 2017). Higher income levels effect (Hansen, 2005; Hui Wan, 2009) insignificant one (Hiser 2011). Hove (2017) surveyed Belgian that, controlling personal- household-level characteristics, aged 31–50, college degree, presence young positively Gender insignificant, not their model. A body studies focuses Grashuis al. (2020) consumer increased, willing inside store when spreading increasing rate. Kim suggested success apps shows if post-purchase customer service ensured (Kim, 2020). Baarsma Groenewegen (2021) studied Netherlands. They each additional hospital admission, traffic app 7.3% sales per order 0.31% (Baarsma Groenewegen, Similarly, another confirmed e-commerce 5.7% Taiwan (Chang Meyerhoefer, May two cities, Chenarides three-fourths they preferred owing limitations. were, however, normal. 255% 158% pick-up services, respectively (Chenarides Shamim females pursue health safety practices reduced tried quickly efficiently (Shamim Another higher attainment line (Alaimo Ferrante parents 4–8 old October 2020. Forty-nine reported increases use 48% going 26% indicated (Ferrante Adoption age (aged 65+) (Wang Jensen analyzed decisions 1,558 households. 55% June 20% timers. Younger groups. Income shop. past concerned becoming ill there no significant 58% planned (Jensen situated along Northeast Corridor states Pennsylvania York. state anchored large metropolitan areas Philadelphia west York City northeast, leading commuter flows cities. includes cities adjacent York, City, opposite across Hudson River, Newark, few miles inland Passaic River. itself highly urbanized, population about 8.9 million, contains rural landscapes many communities Eastern Seaboard, attract seasonal populations (Chapman summarize demographics Table 1. designed capture transportation-related Expectations how travel would adjust post-pandemic obtained. contained questions, well focused behavior; here behavior. 1 set residents (Table 1). deployed coincided hospitalizations, deaths States (The Times, final sample complete responses. presents relative census (2019 ACS 5-year estimates). income, race skewed educated individuals. collection receive compensation participation survey; may cash payments, airline points, credits gift cards. rely guarantee target population; could residual biases data. main conducted desktop mobile phone, without access excluded. Paid participants thoughtful filling questions; uses various algorithms check this, such eliminating too who, example, select option every question, checking techniques. Data gathered future 2). Based respondent answers, future, (Figures About 89% individuals times month began, 80% In-person near ends (86%). 30% This 44% stay level (42%) ends. 53% (756) never began. One-quarter (27%; 205) 64% (132) urged much possible; hence, interested behavior, 3). 47% (191), (260), (214). Fifty-three practices, minor captured survey. An exploratory (EFA) toward Respondents presented measures taken against 4). five-point Likert scale ‘strongly disagree’ agree’ Factor provides simplify types basis correlations allows subjective interpretation (Harman Jones, 1966; Revelle, 2009). examination data, three loaded questions. performed orthogonal rotation, defined ‘fearful’ ‘believers’ ‘deniers’ COVID threat. These loadings independent multivariate analyses. bolded 4 indicate load factor. asked often longer concern. estimate binomial regression behaviors (in-person versus online) periods six binary (full Supplementary Material). models insight shaped different behaviors. general, hypothesize people, affluent households fearful COVID-19; pre-existing hypotheses most variables. define follows: (1) brick-and-mortar more, (2) more. definition ‘frequent’ differs, is. far usually make basis. percentages ‘frequent shoppers’ category interval shown 5. household, education, race/ethnicity, vehicles available person, employment type, Most 29% 33% decreasing 15% Two logit model estimates decreases (yes, 471; no, 931) second 399; 1,000) removing incomplete observations). control variables, work-from-home status, previous history 6 displays 2 socioeconomics, plus identified female male counterparts. Having present after. Educational generally 50+ unemployed Race/ethnicity, person differences classified Male positive, weak, association education observed periods. No meaningful difference detected. groups Black and/or Hispanic/Latino Asians meaning cars available. job allowed them work does allow unemployed. ‘Fearfuls’ deemed However, magnitude coefficient estimating displayed 7. find associations socioeconomic except home. cannot classify (weekly) true shoppers. previously. tended infrequent shoppers, indicators. heritage bachelor's degree though obvious trend level. over suggesting potential divide safely. survey, looks see permanent post-pandemic. Relative expectations, similar Sixty-four expect months behind Almost one-third (29%) subsides why top sustained shift were: save avoid able 24/7 8). cross-tabulations answers 8 gender. Compared respondents, prefer carry reason 18–24 liked easily compare prices sensitive savings groups, 55 like own groceries, stores, saving time. top-reported reducing concerns delivered fresh, wanting wait arrive, product information always accurate 9). question size small. study, sought understand potentially future. influenced same is, vast majority males females. Moreover, several characteristics. unemployed, significantly unexpected elaborate below. continued strategies reduce risk Some larger quantities food; others quickly, less. shifted stores crowded, morning; reserved immunocompromised customers. details shop; merely remains market, (and multiple national surveys) indicates growth (<50), shop, (see Material results). interestingly statistically lower car ownership household studies. suggests can carless fresh foods. Previous propensity specifically looking frequency, drivers stemmed (3) COVID-19, (4) One contributions models. variable ‘concerned very ill’ ‘fearfuls’ correlated ‘Deniers’, believed society overreacting economy suffering unnecessarily, interesting relationship ‘Deniers’ ‘Believers’ shopper political beliefs, conservative values beliefs. speculate act defiance implications viral spread (Noland, important online; unfamiliarity technology systems any case, need ways easier accessible Older vulnerable group (<50). became ‘Never pandemic’. variable, know smaller (12%), under (40%). Thirty-nine 65 compared 31% shopping; As long-term impacts normal persist. continuing 8), plan freshness, reliability inspect purchases hold master's PhD, African American origin, earn $125,000 year side, beneficial grocers add curbside options run. Working-from-home status proved all ‘essential worker’. worker essential (i.e., construction project engineer mostly office work, teacher teaches classes pandemic). distinction important, particularly context only rather employees worked 2021; Pitts height Jersey. Over later, writing, Omicron surge cases death rates months, day-to-day life Future research should account COVID-related changes, current exogenous shock habitual behaviors, change, rich area further findings transport system, Goods must grocer third party, emissions depending circumstances deliveries trip. If picked curb vehicle user person. in-person, levels. Thus, seen solution overall travel. It nonetheless retailers keep convenient, portion Policymakers wish consider populations, stand benefit delivered, cost example fees tips major impediment disabled platforms needed Carless healthier local neighborhood live desert). So benefits means utilize providing subsidies individuals, internet difficult problem solve. detail changed. Did minimize trips? shorter purchases? What products typically bought in-person? issues understanding parking requirements proliferation neighborhoods. unable address acknowledge limitations analysis. First, ‘Curb side’ encourage little person-to-person interaction possible pay fee. sense, ‘before’ analyze, exist. responded answered delivery, fact (albeit curb). Second, respect education. Hence, conclusions applied entire suffer caveats panel, essentially paid takers arranged Qualtrics. Related only, versed Internet, possibly, S1: Regression Person Before, After Pandemic S2: During, S3: Response Rates related Please note: publisher responsible content functionality supporting supplied authors. Any queries (other missing content) directed corresponding author article.