Why The Coronavirus May Forever Change Grocery Shopping | WSJ

Will the coronavirus pandemic lead to long-term changes in how we shop for food? To better understand the challenges facing grocery stores, WSJ’s Alexander Hotz spoke with an industry insider, a store owner and a Walmart executive.
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#WSJ #Shopping #Coronavirus

[@ninjanerdstudent6937]

That quotation at 4:00 is so stupid and wrong. People shop in stores because they want to touch and inspect the food BEFORE putting money down on it, especially when food doesn’t get a return policy.

[@m.taylor]

I agree. Furthermore, online shopping can be inefficient in that they may send a customer damaged or wrong products, mischarge, etc, that one has to spend extra time proving & resolving the error.

[@anastasia10017]

I like going to the grocery store. I like to pick my own food.

[@manzoj5898]

Am i the only that likes to browse the grocery store isles? I like to see the stuff that’s new and the ingredients

[@druidriley3163]

No, you are not.

[@manzoj5898]

M Detlef bruh chill

[@Max2U]

You are not alone.

[@CraftnMomma]

M Detlef how bored are you?

[@amdl270]

I don't like it but I can see how people would. Being able to look at food texture better in person would certainly be a perk.

[@monition5655]

I lose brain cells whenever I see a person wearing a mask over their mouth but not their nose.

[@thelight2230]

Today I saw a guy covering his nose but not his mouth. Lol.

[@georgecheatham1880]

It can get in your eyes too so why aren't you wearing it over your eyes as well. I wear a clear plastic bag if a store says I have to wear a mask

[@georgecheatham1880]

@tzipporah batami a plastic bag works better since nothing at all can get in. Every area where the virus could get in is covered. I use one that zips up around my neck. All these people wearing regular masks think they are protected but really have no clue that it can still get in if your eyes aren't covered too. I also have a helmet mask that is air supplied by a tube and a pump. It is even better than the N 95s. It's like a scuba mask.

[@garlicgirl3149]

LOL!

[@monition5655]

@@georgecheatham1880 You don't breathe through your eyes, so there isn't as much of a risk, albeit still possible.

[@eugeniorenaldo]

Careful dear WSJ : going from 1% to 2% is not "a 1% increase". It's a 100% increase.

[@hellobecky84]

Was surprised to see this error on a WSJ video of all places; sigh

[@krissp8712]

Presumably they meant a percentage point increase Edit: and the guy at 3:35 correctly says doubled

[@n3wt]

also can we get a narrator with enthusiasm

[@timf7413]

It can be either depending on whether you are talking about a percentage point increase (which was obviously the case here) or a relative percentage increase. Depending on the specific context, one of those may give a more accurate picture of the results than the other.

[@itspricila]

i still prefer in store shopping, you get out of the house, see first hand the products, samples, etc

[@alexcarter8807]

Open air markets like farmer's markets that are spread out a bit more, getting to know your local egg person, local veggie farms, stuff like that, can help.

[@ohyeahminecraft]

Yeah I prefer to shop in person because I go through aisles and see. I work at a grocery store and products change so often so I like to see what's new. And basically 100% of the time you'll have to babysit your shopper and pick alternatives because so many things you bought online aren't actually in stock.

[@Robbie_S]

Yep I agree I don't like internet control over my real life. We are Hunters by nature. Even Tigers pass out on meat if forced onto them, so I dont want products under my doorstep all the time. I'd still prefer to keeps shopping online as an option, not as an only source.

[@annetteslife]

I still prefer the in store shopping as well

[@lkjhb1]

@@Robbie_S The introvert snowflakes want all of us to move our lives online :(

[@darrinbrunner6429]

The one thing that keeps me going to the store is picking my own produce. I'll probably give up and use online delivery grocery shopping someday, but for now I prefer the going to the store.

[@SS-wi4tm]

In the UK you can instantly return bad produce that's been delivered. It's not an option here.

[@gracie2298]

Been doing online pick up since March. We eat a lot of organic produce, reason we shop Walmart and have never had one issue. Me thinks they are trained would you eat it, if not don’t pick it for customer. Remember you are helping to stop the spread by not interacting with others. This virus is airborne and deadly. The employees get infected, store closes down and we all starve- just some food for thought. Stay Healthy!

[@jennyjumpjump]

most delivery services you can talk to the shopper and make requests. For instance, when I buy avocados or bananas I like to get one ripe now and the rest unripe. You can ask them to do that

[@susane4078]

Since the Pandemic, when I wanted to get in and get out , I’m very frustrated that the stores continually change locations of foods. Before the Pandemic, changing locations of items didn’t bother me. Now, it’s so very irritating. As an individual at higher risk, I don’t wish to spend lots of time in the store!

[@lucasstuart-chilcote7069]

My household of 3 has done practically every grocery shopping "trip" online then curbside pick-up at the store since March 17th. Once we get home we wipe the packaging with disinfectant. We are also shopping for my grandma. Before March we always went in-store to shop. It's a big change but we feel safer and that's what matters.

[@druidriley3163]

Same. Or had them delivered. So sick of having to wipe down everything all the time.

[@gracie2298]

Druid Riley yep it’s time consuming, however 50 50 chance you could become sick and after all we are doing to not get sick I tell myself get a grip, beats being on a ventilator ☮️.

[@druidriley3163]

@@gracie2298 - true. Might end up there anyway from bleach poisoning. LOL

[@gracie2298]

Geeze I am using straight alcohol, as in rubbing, otherwise if I switch wipe wipe and then take a shot🙃. Have read most of the comments, people want to shop like they always have. This virus will continue to spread, until All get on the same page.

[@Borghetto.Inc04]

Ive been having my groceries delivered to my door since 2012. Yes ive been practising social distancing for years. I f-ing hate people.

[@druidriley3163]

Prefer to do my own shopping. Shopping online has resulted in old meat that I can't return, safety seal breaches that I can't return, wrong more expensive items substituted for me that I can't return.

[@Drmicky141]

Not gonna change the way I shop, unless free shipping is included.

[@iamkieranm]

I can respect that, but there's definitely an economic cost on someone's part for your goods to get from A to B, whether it's yours or someone else's.

[@johnsamuel1999]

iamkieranm your right . We will be paying for this either directly (as a delivery fee ) or indirectly ( Higher prices for everyone , including offline buyers)

[@mmioux]

yeah i get free shipping here where i live from time to time. also i only buy frozens and such online. all the veggies, eggs and bread i buy local :)

[@ideoformsun5806]

I shop at my local farmers market. Outside is safer. Plant a garden. Cook from scratch. Learn to process your own food. Like fermenting, canning, brewing. Use a root cellar and a sun oven. It's way cheaper. And more fun and creative. And fewer chemicals in your food. Anyone can do it. Teach your children to help. It is a good life skill for them.

[@kaushikmalepati2495]

It's true, there is no better experience like knowing and shopping at your local brick and mortar grocery store. Hope they continue to thrive.

[@madiantin]

Are we shopping differently? Well. I am anyway. I used to hit the store on average 5-6x/week. The past few months I've been going 1x/week, and for the past month I've been going once every two weeks. I love it! I love this change. The pandemic has changed many things in my life, and this is a positive one.

[@kathyerickson9402]

Seriously...I consider a trip to the grocery store a day out. I am not interested in delivery, although I understand that it is a welcome solution for many people. I want to pick and choose my own produce and maybe find something I didn't even know I "needed".

[@muhchung]

I will not forego the joy of shopping in a supermarket and the freedom to pick produce by myself.

[@verse3000]

I shop in person. I'm not paying extra for delivery service.

[@ninjanerdstudent6937]

I never go to Whole Foods. The name is also a misnomer. They have too many processed foods. They hike the prices too much.

[@JohnAckerman93]

I work in a grocery store, and I still remember working 50-60 hours a week. We were busy beyond busy. I have never seen so many empty shelves either

[@MrJakeFan]

There’s a value of shopping in brick and mortar stores - everything will boil down to building relationships, a thing people won’t have with online platforms or AI in the near future

[@WhyHighC]

Speak for your generation. The next won’t have your nostalgia.

[@SS-wi4tm]

Most people do not form their relationships with the staff at grocery stores. I'd rather spend my time on actual community meetups/family/friends than go grocery shopping.

[@ohyeahminecraft]

I think this is far fetched, there are too many humans.

[@garlicgirl3149]

I agree. Why else do I pick the one cashier I like or go to the same store because they are nice?

[@Nadia-mw8bf]

I work at a grocery store and the annoying thing about instacart shoppers is that they will come up to me and show me every freaking thing on their list and ask me to show them where every item is. I am more than happy to show you a few items you’re struggling to find but come on, i’m not doing your job for you. I have my own job to do.

[@aveuch]

My frustration is seeing people hanging out, on the phone, parked in front of the cheese case. Or couples and families together. Shopping for essentials isn't a field trip.

[@SS-wi4tm]

I never see refillables as an option as a result of automated grocery shopping. Why send the delivery driver back empty. Better off sending him/her with your empties. We don't need to have a single serve items at the warehouse. There can be custom sizes, refills etc by people who know how to use them.

[@Marco3202002]

Very simple, grocery shopping is a chore just like doing the dishes so why not automate that time you had to invest or set aside for more important parts of your life like the gym, or school or even family time.

[@rext8949]

Online shopping is a compromise . Quality and choice are first casualties for convenience . Depending upon the urgency you have to decide .

[@Kevin-xs1ft]

I mean he did not use that n95 mask properly..

[@patriciaribaric3409]

The UK robotic controlled grocery store was an amazing see!!!

[@eyeofthetiger6002]

The UK's grocery market is perhaps even more competitive than the US, hence Wal-Mart's decision to offload Asda, a British grocery chain which it has owned for many years. And its online grocery market is also the most advanced in the world, in the form of Ocado, the world's only pure online supermarket, whose technology has been outsourced to many supermarket groups throughout the world.

[@gatewaysolo104]

I tried delivery and I hated it. More work than just going to the store. They text you every 2 minutes that they need a substitution. Then you factor in tip and it almost doubles your bill.

[@avayu2289]

Not true. I still shop in stores. Deliveries are still disgusting!

[@visceratrocar]

In person shopping isn't going away soon. We just need to take a break from it during this thing called a PANDEMIC.

[@gracie2298]

I so miss grocery shopping. Right now if by ordering online I am creating a job, then so be it. I do know The employees are healthier and me too by limiting our interaction. The next shutter if anyone is still alive, all grocery shopping should be on line.

[@heatherduncan9882]

I love buying all my groceries online, helps me not buy stuff I don't need and I don't have to fight idiots in the store.

[@lkjhb1]

Introvert snowflake

[@jennyjumpjump]

@@lkjhb1 No. We're people with better things to do with our time. I've been using online grocery shopping for years. I hate shopping--always have.

[@larrykuehn1972]

I'm a proud introvert and homebody and I love online shopping. I'm a mentally challenged middle aged child free single man that lives on both low income and disability money. I live alone and I don't drive at all. I rather do online shopping than take public transportation any day.

[@heatherduncan9882]

@@jennyjumpjump exactly I work roughly 60 hours a week, the last I want to do is go shopping inside a store.

[@ideoformsun5806]

All stores should have an outside service area with outdoor pickup, and outdoor seating for eating and sampling at the store. Outside is safer, because UV light disables viruses. Stores should be using UV light to disinfect the items and the air. This virus hangs in the stale indoor air. Far Red UV light in the 222nm wavelength is safe for skin and eyes. It could be used in the bathrooms, over doorways, over countertops.

[@ideoformsun5806]

Buy locally produced products made by your neighbors, your community, your country.

[@robertcraig6723]

Forever is a very long time.People have short memory

[@totoroben]

I was rooting for online grocery before the pandemic. It makes so much more sense! People complain "but i want to choose my own apples" and I'm like: there's a 99% chance the apple selected for you will be just fine and a bad Apple selected occasionally is nothing compared to the massive time savings that is online grocery.

[@druidriley3163]

But that 1% bad selection means loss of money for you with no recourse. No thanks, I'll pick my own apples.

[@UXtatic]

Then why is Instacart laying off shoppers? Also, if shopping goes fully online, it will make way for other outdoor things or new possibilities or activities for the customer. So smaller stores need to be aware of this.

[@aveuch]

Curbside, contactless pickup only works for those who drive.

[@auro1986]

if food sales are high why are farmers dumping their harvest?

[@citizinf]

A couple links: - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYGynIafeZKmhJo - kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4CnoJWjbtKKf80 Basically, supply and packaging issues. Sales are up but you're not going to pay $10 for eggs will you? But if all the farmers who used to sell eggs to restaurants buy the machines & labor to start packing dozen-egg boxes, they'll have to charge substantially more in order to not lose money. However, food is a huge, competitive market so they can't move the price up. So they have to sell at a loss. They're stuck between a rock & a hard place. Pay ~$0 to dump the food, or lose money to get machines & labor to sell the food in stores to individual consumers at prices below-cost. Don't like it? Then make it clear to your grocery store you're willing to starting paying lots more for your groceries.

[@alexcarter8807]

Capitalism. Read "The Grapes Of Wrath" nothing has changed

[@remlya]

Showing someone wearing a mask improperly doesn’t help encourage the public to continue adhering to safe public activity. Tsk tsk WSJ.

[@susanvirginia6037]

@A P False.

[@georgecheatham1880]

I used to shop at Walmart but since they are requiring masks I'll be shopping at DG

[@ExaltedWarrior]

Notice how they featured GOYA at the end...

[@michellesunshinestar]

I like doing Instacart, my city is big enough to have Instacart. But I love the experience of going to the grocery store. Seeing the new products.

[@purberri]

Like to see an episode on how farms that supply the restaurant industry and schools have been impacted

[@5pctLowBattery]

I definitely don’t shop as long anymore. As I have to leave my kiddo in the car as I shop. It’s in/out as quickly as possible!... if online pickup isn’t available.

[@feurigerStern]

I will permanently order food delivered to my door. It has become a way of life.

[@curatedconnection6334]

Hate seeing people not wear their masks properly

[@aidielmatisa8930]

US : GROCERY SHOPPING MUST BE REVOLUTIONISED People from flattened curve nations : *laughes

[@jamesedwards3923]

No, common sense needs to work.

[@braveladder1682]

That vented mask is as good as basically no mask to those around you, Kelvin...

[@Blackmage4001]

So? If others are wearing a mask they're fine.

[@CraftnMomma]

Vented masks have filters.

[@jennyjumpjump]

@@Blackmage4001 that's not how it works. You wearing a mask protects others. You wear an N95 mask to protect yourself

[@jennyjumpjump]

@@CraftnMomma I have that same mask from pre-Covid home renovation. The vent releases exhaled air on purpose to make it cooler. It wasn't designed to prevent spread of disease

[@EricAbbottTri]

I would shop at Billy's. Seems like a good guy

[@garlicgirl3149]

Fascinating. Ihope they do more research to see how stores should operate in any type of tragedy or demise.

[@sherylcrowe3255]

Good Luck 👍 Billy's!!

[@RockyC89]

I’ve been doing curbside pickup since COVID kicked off. I don’t intend on going back until things get better.

[@TradingQuotes]

Interesting WSJ. Thanks.

[@DavidD-un5oy]

I still shop at my local grocery. Frankly I think Covid has changed my experience for the better. Better line management, better tailoring to what customers want and need.

[@adiposerex5150]

The only normal business has been grocers. No change at all. I am amazed.

[@chrisshent]

Depots are interesting. They can be a custom (super)market experience together with your peer group. You can even have influence on the product offerings. And you have a 24/7 access close to your home.

[@arieldelaney7727]

I greatly enjoy the ability to discount shop at the grocery store. There are tons of deals that you can only get by going and finding them. What will happen to those products? My local Kroger brand has woohoo's (clearance items).

[@iemandmusica]

As always, we should strive to find a balance. A blend of both online and offline (brick n mortar) customers exp will be recommended (though not essential) because in the end, AI need people to create itself and have ‘purpose’. However, people don’t need AI to create itself NOR to find purpose. The buying exp has been the same for ages, can’t see why it has to drastically change now. Everything will be back to normal with some people shopping online coz they’re either lazy or too busy (or socially awkward?!) to go to a grocery store and other shopping as they used to pre-pandemic.

[@maanbustamante]

watching this after buying my grocery needs online 😆

[@curtiscarpenter9881]

A drive thru supermarket there is a idea or delivery only. No queuing, no risk.

[@Liuhuayue]

The catalog of possible items would have to be much smaller than that of the usual supermarket for that to be timely and feasible.

[@erikat9337]

Oh my goodness, the last tidbit he said about the fact that people are not going to want to stay in their houses forever got me

[@UndoneOne]

While the oil industry doesn't change a thing. Love it!

[@LegendaryJew]

Grocery delivery was a norm here in Israel for years before the pandemic... but the demand crushed the supply chains in March and April

[@tommynorthwood]

How do u check a pineapple? I smell the bottoms of mine, squeeze em, and even tug lightly on the leaves to make sure they dont just fall out. (I plant mine)

[@jasonericf]

It mentioned Ocado here but Ocado actually pretty much failed in this pandemic, they couldn't handle the intake of customers, even on the site. It was the traditional brick and mortar stores that were a lifeline

[@johnsamuel1999]

hmm your right . But note this ocado is designed to run efficiently ( Only have the products and quantities that will sell quickly ) , they won’t be handle huge volatility or fluctuation in demand (ie... resilience )

[@tamaracooper5797]

intercart is great for people in town or the city.However out here we can't get it.

[@CC-si3cr]

I thgt the goal of a brick and mortar store was to get customers back into their locations. I do not understand why Kroger has licensed Ocado's technology.

[@Memo33OO]

I legitimately can't tell if some of the comments on this video come from russian troll farm or not. Either way, that's kinda sad.

[@MP-wg8pd]

I'm only using drive-up grocery services. I haven't been in a grocery store in months.

[@TylerWashington]

Sooooo is Lysol not producing anything again until winter? Or did they make enough money and just close up shop??

[@howardkerr8174]

Maybe I am being too optimistic, but if a Corona Virus vaccine was available and distribution was co-ordinated so nearly everyone got the vaccine, I think there would be some kind of drop in online grocery shopping. BTW, it's my experience that the majority of people buying groceries at Wal-Mart are also shopping at another store. In other words, few people have Wal-Mart as their only grocery destination.

[@MrDavidJMa]

Share of stomach between restaurants and grocery retailers is 50/50%. Now all restaurants including fast food are reduced or closed retailers have had a sales bonus! Local stores have benefited and online too. The key issue is whether the food service biz will recover to previous highs. If not there is a paradigm shift occurring.

[@ninjanerdstudent6937]

They missed the opportunity to title the video as “From the Mercado to the Ocado”.

[@briannaoppong-antwi9702]

What does ocado mean?

[@angelicamartinez1309]

Online grocery system really boosted this pandemic. Though consumers been charged with added fee due to mobilization.

[@angelicamartinez1309]

@UCQjCKq0XyWxPKmsseIpjyzA will they cater most US states? are they operational already?

[@angelicamartinez1309]

lol... 40-90%discount? too good to be true,

[@w4in]

Can someone explain to me what Bill is saying around 6:45? Why would this dark store that's more efficient need 7x more space than a typical supermarket?

[@matt30fresh55]

My friend just caught covide and is loosing the battle and he is 35 and he told me when will young ppl take it serious now I'm loosimg my friend cuz some decide not to wear there mask

[@Itsterrileeee]

Yeah instacart has been hot. I was on Postmates before but it got slow. I make more on instacart anyways 😩

[@CalvinErico]

This Rodriguez man is from Antman right?

[@pikminlord343]

great video

[@alexanderherrera7961]

Mind blowing 🧠

[@jsd24]

Why is it saying “may change” when its happening already?

[@nivek-dk3yi]

because we don't know if it will change forever

[@godbless9165]

"CBS caught broadcasting 'fake news on the coronavirus'" kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXO4c4eqirmCf6s "Is CCP Involved in the George Floyd Riots? Terror Designation May Go Beyond the Riots" kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6fbo6eDl5igj68 "China Propaganda Outlet Paid Millions to US Media; Crossfire Hurricane Investigations Move Forward" kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4mWd4mvbKaZd6s

[@stusanderson3111]

There are personnel shoppers or you can always call up Amazon ,if people can't shop with a mask

[@cable30]

Some or many may change habits to avoid crowds any. and those who cant go store will use instacart anytime. just go and snag and check out and leave.

[@AaronCLB]

why is this in my recommended videos 4 years later

[@bbt305]

At home at the store!? Diversity and hedging is the true key 🔑

[@windskm]

Wow that ocado company seems very impressive

[@bookwormwonder]

I'm wondering what happens if the power and generators go out

[@AcesizOfficial]

Interesting

[@irayun]

0:15 whiteclaw and cherries. Essential

[@HillbillyTosh]

I wish that they would shut down the Wal-Marts and Kroger to browsing and do Pick Up Only

[@tothepoint2519]

It already exists in India. Big Basket, Ondoor, Nature's Basket.

[@abhikshitdas]

Why we don't have Walmart???

[@kbilisoly9355]

Walmart sells stuff from sweatshops. They are also owned by greedy billionaires that have shut down lots of small business. They suck

[@chansaicommerce1721]

GREAT

[@ideoformsun5806]

Public bathrooms are the worst.

[@chansaicommerce1721]

GO GO

[@RickHawkDavison]

All the complaining doesn't change the fact This is WallStreet Journal.... Top 5 of What is, what will be..Believe or not... WINTER IS COMING

[@ideoformsun5806]

Are they creating living wage jobs?

[@salamista]

I didn't know Walmart sells groceries.

[@ryan4gaming]

Funny how Walmart is the biggest grocery store when I got spoiled milk their like 5 times

[@m.taylor]

I wish people would not loiter in the checkout or lineup areas or shop in pairs, as it gets crowded and impossible to maintain distance. Even outdoors, couples or groups are starting to hog the sidewalks again. Why do some people always need to do things in pairs?

[@marcuswardshow]

Atheist vs Christian Slavery or Savior PART1 | Marcus Ward Show kzbin.info/www/bejne/gl6am42PnciNfdU

[@lauragadille3384]

Shipt is another shopping app that shops for you