According to a report by IGD, the average q-commerce basket was found to be 18% more expensive than a convenience store. This indicates that quick-commerce grocery deliveries, which involve online orders delivered by courier drivers such as Getir or UberEats in under an hour, come at a higher cost. Pricer conducted research on 1,000 UK shoppers, revealing that only 7% of them use q-commerce grocery deliveries once a month. Interestingly, price is prioritized over speed and convenience when it comes to purchasing decisions, reflecting the impact of rising living costs on consumer behavior.
The study also discovered that 7% of respondents opt for fast-format grocery e-commerce deliveries on a weekly basis. Additionally, 19% of shoppers use q-commerce less than once a month for food purchases, while more than half (54%) have never utilized high-speed convenience deliveries. Peter Ward, the country manager for UK & Ireland at Pricer, acknowledged the initial surge in q-commerce popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as consumers face mounting cost-of-living pressures and persistent grocery price inflation, they have reevaluated their shopping habits in order to stretch their food budget further.
Interestingly, the research indicates a shift in consumer behavior, with 40% of respondents indicating that they now shop more in physical stores compared to a year ago. Moreover, a significant 83% of participants reported being much more likely to compare prices at the shelf-edge, marking a 21 percentage point increase year-on-year. These statistics highlight the increasing prioritization of cost-consciousness among consumers in an effort to manage their food bills efficiently.
Overall, this research offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of q-commerce and consumer preferences surrounding grocery deliveries. As financial constraints and rising costs continue to shape purchasing decisions, it is crucial for businesses in this sector to understand and address these shifting dynamics.
