Online Grocery Orders Soared in Early Months of Pandemic, Says NPD

Digital orders for groceries and restaurant deliveries soared "years ahead in their growth trend trajectory” during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, reported NPD Wednesday. By May, 40% of shoppers ordered edible groceries online compared with 28% in May 2019, it said. “Consumers more than tripled their share of restaurant meals ordered digitally” during Q2, the researcher said. “Managing stress levels and maintaining a healthy home environment grew in terms of consumers’ health and wellness focus areas, whereas work/life balance and quality sleep, which were the top health needs, declined during the pandemic. As a means of coping with stress, consumers turned to more comfort foods.”