8 Ways The Coronavirus Pandemic Changed The Way We Shop For Food
Goodbye, salad bars! See ya never, free samples!
While nearly the entire country shut down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, grocery stores remained open—but how people shopped when they got there completely changed. Overnight, shopping for groceries, once a routine errand, became a challenging and potentially dangerous one.
Now, as the country is starting to open up again, grocery stores are being careful to keep up safety measures that were introduced to curb the pandemic. Here's what to expect and how to master the new era of the grocery run.
Socially-Distant Lines
One of the biggest changes at the grocery store is social distancing, and it's not going anywhere any time soon. After being isolated for months, people are squeamish about germs. Socially-distant queues, usually enforced by stickers or tape on the ground, keep shoppers six feet apart while in the checkout line. Some stores are going a step further to manage cart traffic flow with one-way aisles.
Contactless Checkout
At the height of the pandemic, grocery store employees were among the most vulnerable due to constant interaction with the public. Most stores have implemented a completely contactless checkout experience to keep their employees safe. Contactless payment is encouraged (in some cases it's the only option) and plexiglass screens separate you from the cashier. And if you're using reusable bags, be ready to DIY your bagging.
Curbside Pickup
The pandemic accelerating the trend of curbside pickup. Before the outbreak, customers were already fans of buy online, pickup in store services at big-box retailers like Walmart and Target. The trend has rapidly spread across the grocery industry and even trickled down to small businesses. Such orders jumped 87% percent in March 2020 compared to March 2019 and are showing no signs of stopping.
Planning Ahead...
Goodbye browsing, hello planning! The grocery list has always been a secret weapon, but now you really shouldn't leave the house without one. Planning ahead will help you eliminate aimless browsing, and most importantly, get in and out of the store quickly. Now's the time to become a meal prep pro.
...And Stocking Up
We're not talking about stocking up for the apocalypse here, but maybe for a couple of weeks. If you get everything you need for a week or two in one fell swoop, you'll make fewer trips to the store—something we should all be mindful of for the foreseeable future. Routinely check your pantry to make sure you have a stockpile of staples for those pesky weeknight meals.
Adieu, Samples
Obviously, free samples are not happening these days—and oh, how they are missed. Some stores are trying to bring samples back (we're looking at you, Costco!), but it's going to take a lot of careful planning to get it right. For now, be sure to snack before you hit the store.
Self-Serve Stations
Like samples, self-serve stations are also a distant memory. Between open food containers and shared utensils, self-serve stations are breeding grounds for bacteria of any kind, including COVID-19. The 10-items-or-less checkout line at Whole Foods is going to be much shorter for a while.
Online Grocery Delivery
Haven't left your home for months? You're probably an online grocery delivery convert—and you aren't alone. In a few short months, online grocery shopping has skyrocketed to make up 10% to 15% of all grocery spending in the U.S. Before the pandemic, only 3% to 4% of grocery spending was online.
If barren salad bars and socially-distant lines are enough to keep you away from the store for a while, here's a list of the best grocery delivery services to try.
Which Berry Is Healthiest? Dietitians Weigh In
How To Stay Hydrated Beyond Drinking Water
I Put This Easy High-Protein Topping On Everything
12 Regional Dishes You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
