Grocery delivered in 10 minutes? That’s the most common yet highly renowned phrase in today’s headlines! From juggling in a crowded supermarket to tapping on the screen, adding groceries to the cart, and checking out to get home deliveries, Grocery shopping has come a long way, making lives much easier and more convenient. 

After the pandemic, majority of the in-person grocery shopping decreased and accelerated the adoption of online shopping. Today, according to Google research, online grocery sales in the USA reached $275 billion in 2024 and are expected to grow by $442 billion by 2028. 

In short, approximately 138 million Americans are now shopping for groceries online, with convenience and time-saving being the primary drivers. Additionally, 91% of consumers are open to trying new products online, despite efforts to avoid impulse purchases​.

This spiked the use of mobile apps for grocery shopping. Shoppers frequently use delivery apps like Blinkit, UberEats, Swiggy One, Zepto, etc for locating products, checking offers, and self-checkout. This trend is expected to triple in the next two years. 

So far, it has become crystal clear that we are in fact in the era of online grocery shopping. In case you have a food or grocery store that you would like to turn into an application with the help of a mobile app development company like DianApps, this is your chance to get started! 

Online Grocery Shopping Statistics For 2025

More than 60% of offline grocery shoppers consider switching between brands. Here are the key predictions for online grocery shopping statistics by 2025:

• Market Share: Online grocery sales are expected to account for 20% of the total grocery market, amounting to around $250 billion by 2025​

• Growth from 2020: Online grocery shopping’s share was 10.2% in 2020 and is projected to rise to 13.5% by 2025​

• Impact of the Pandemic: The pandemic significantly accelerated the shift, with many shoppers continuing to shop online even post-pandemic. About 90% of those who adopted online shopping during the pandemic are expected to continue doing so​

• Consumer Preferences: Despite the growth in online shopping, many consumers still prefer to visit physical stores. However, hybrid shopping models (combining online and in-store) are expected to thrive​

• Technology and Convenience: Real-time inventory, seamless online and offline integration, and convenience are key drivers for continued growth in the sector​

These points highlight the rapid and sustained shift towards digital grocery shopping, with major growth expected in the next few years.

Things That Are Trending in the Grocery Shopping Industry

Value Shopping: 

With rising prices, consumers are more focused on finding the best value for their money. Grocery businesses are responding by emphasizing cost-effective options, offering private labels, and optimizing pricing strategies​.

Read: How grocery delivery app can boost your grocery business

Sustainability: 

Consumers increasingly demand eco-friendly products and practices. Grocers are meeting this demand by reducing plastic packaging, promoting locally sourced ingredients, and supporting sustainable farming methods. This trend is expected to continue, with 37% of shoppers willing to pay a premium for sustainable items​.

Technology Integration: 

The use of automated systems like self-checkout kiosks and cashierless stores is on the rise. These innovations offer shoppers more convenience and reduce labor costs for retailers. Moreover, technologies like aisle-roaming robots and smart inventory management improve operational efficiency and customer satisfaction​.

Health and Wellness Products: 

Consumers are becoming more health-conscious, driving the demand for wellness-related products, including vitamins, supplements, and functional foods. Grocers are expanding their offerings in this category to cater to the growing interest in health and wellness​.

Unified Commerce: 

Retailers are merging online and offline shopping experiences to create a seamless customer journey. This includes integrating digital shopping with physical stores, offering home delivery for in-store orders, and utilizing customer data for personalized experiences​.

Retail Media Networks: 

Grocers are increasingly tapping into retail media by offering digital screens and app-based advertising in stores. This trend helps grocers engage shoppers and create new revenue streams​.

These trends highlight the industry’s shift toward more personalized, tech-savvy, and sustainable shopping experiences, reflecting broader shifts in consumer expectations.

How to Develop a Grocery Shopping App For Your Local Store?

Building a successful grocery shopping app requires careful planning and execution. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the development process:

1. Define Your App’s Core Features

Before diving into development, you need to outline the features that will make your app stand out. Some key features to consider for your grocery shopping app include:

• Product Catalog: A user-friendly, searchable catalog that allows customers to browse and filter items by category, price, or brand.
• Real-time Inventory Updates: Customers should be able to see current stock levels to avoid any frustration when items are out of stock.
• Order Tracking: Allow customers to track the status of their orders in real-time.
• Payment Gateway Integration: Secure payment options for both in-store and online purchases, such as credit/debit cards, e-wallets, or cash on delivery.
• Push Notifications: Use notifications to inform customers about discounts, offers, and order updates.
• Customer Profile & Wishlist: Enable users to create accounts, save favorites, and receive personalized recommendations based on shopping history.
• Delivery Scheduling: Allow customers to choose grocery delivery dates and times that are most convenient for them.

Also read all about how to build grocery delivery apps!

2. Design the User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX)

User experience is crucial to the success of your app. A cluttered, complicated app can drive potential customers away. Here are some tips to keep in mind while designing the UI/UX:

• Simplicity and Intuitiveness: The design should be clean and easy to navigate. Categories, filters, and search functions should be prominently placed to help users find what they need quickly.
• Mobile Optimization: Your app should be fully optimized for mobile screens, ensuring a seamless experience for users on any device.
• Fast Loading Speed: Slow apps can lead to poor reviews and high abandonment rates. Focus on minimizing load times and ensuring smooth transitions.

3. Choose the Right Tech Stack

Selecting the appropriate technology stack is essential for building a robust, scalable, and secure app. Some common options for grocery shopping app development include:

• Mobile App Development Frameworks: Choose between native app development (for Android and iOS separately) or cross-platform development (using tools like React Native or Flutter) for cost-efficiency and a quicker launch.
• Backend Development: A strong backend is critical to handle customer data, inventory updates, and transactions. Consider using cloud-based solutions like AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure for flexibility and scalability.
• Payment Integration: Secure international payment apps like PayPal, or Razorpay will ensure safe transactions for your customers.

We have a blog that might also interest you: Cost of food delivery app in React Native

4. App Development and Testing

Once the design and tech stack are finalized, it’s time to start the actual development. This phase involves:

• Frontend Development: Building the user interface and integrating all the essential features.
• Backend Development: Creating the server-side infrastructure, such as databases, APIs, and integration with payment gateways.
• Testing: Thorough testing is critical to ensure the app functions properly. Conduct functionality testing, performance testing, and user acceptance testing (UAT) to identify and fix any bugs or issues.

5. Launch Your Grocery Shopping App

Once the app has passed testing, you’re ready to launch. But don’t just release it and forget about it. A successful launch requires marketing efforts and user engagement strategies such as:

• App Store Optimization (ASO): Optimize your app listing on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store with relevant keywords, appealing visuals, and clear descriptions to attract users.
• Promotions and Discounts: Offer special promotions or discounts for first-time users to encourage downloads.
• User Reviews and Feedback: Encourage users to leave reviews and feedback, which can help improve the app over time.

6. Post-Launch Support and Maintenance

After launching your app, ongoing maintenance is vital for its success. You’ll need to:

• Fix Bugs: Address any post-launch bugs and issues promptly.
• Regular Updates: Keep the app updated with new features, product additions, and performance improvements.
• Customer Support: Provide excellent customer support via in-app chat, email, or a help center to resolve any issues quickly.

Benefits of Switching Offline Store to Online Grocery App

As a local grocery store owner, you’re likely aware of the challenges of running a brick-and-mortar store—limited customer reach, high operating costs, and time-consuming in-store interactions. However, with the shift toward digital, creating an online grocery app can be a game-changer for your business. 

By moving from offline to online, you can offer convenience to your customers, streamline operations, and grow your revenue. Here are the key benefits of switching your offline grocery store to an online grocery app.

1. Broader Customer Reach

The most obvious benefit of having an online grocery app is the ability to reach a wider audience. While an offline store is confined to a specific geographical area, an online app allows you to target customers beyond your immediate location. With effective digital marketing strategies like social media promotions, email marketing, and SEO optimization, you can expand your customer base and reach potential shoppers who may not have visited your store otherwise.

2. Convenience and Accessibility for Customers

Online grocery shopping apps provide your customers with the ultimate convenience. Customers can browse and purchase groceries from the comfort of their homes, without the need to spend time driving to your store, waiting in line, or searching for products. With features like real-time inventory updates, easy navigation, and flexible payment options, your app can ensure a smooth and hassle-free shopping experience for your customers.

3. Increased Sales Opportunities

An online grocery app is open 24/7, meaning your customers can place orders anytime, day or night. This extended availability can lead to more sales, as you no longer have to rely on regular store hours to generate revenue. Additionally, your app can offer targeted promotions, deals, and discounts based on customer preferences, which can boost sales and encourage repeat business.

4. Personalized Shopping Experience

With an online grocery app, you can gather valuable data about your customers’ shopping habits and preferences. This allows you to offer a personalized shopping experience by recommending products based on previous purchases, offering tailored discounts, and sending personalized notifications about sales or new arrivals. Personalized services can foster stronger customer loyalty, increasing both customer satisfaction and retention.

5. Better Inventory Management

One of the biggest challenges of running an offline store is keeping track of inventory. An online grocery app can integrate with inventory management systems, allowing you to track stock levels in real time, reduce overstocking or understocking, and automate restocking when necessary. This helps ensure that your customers always find the products they want and reduces the likelihood of losing sales due to out-of-stock items.

6. Cost-Effective Operations

Operating an offline store comes with a variety of overhead costs such as rent, utilities, and staff wages. By shifting to an online platform, you can reduce these costs significantly. You don’t have to worry about maintaining a physical storefront or paying for a large staff to handle in-person sales. With an online app, you can allocate your resources more efficiently, focusing on order fulfillment, customer support, and marketing efforts to grow your business.

7. Streamlined Delivery Process

An online grocery app makes it easy to integrate a reliable delivery system. You can offer different delivery options, including same-day delivery or scheduled delivery, depending on your operational capacity. With GPS tracking and real-time updates, customers can track their orders, ensuring they’re kept informed throughout the delivery process. A well-organized delivery system not only improves customer satisfaction but can also create an additional revenue stream.

8. Enhanced Marketing and Customer Engagement

With a grocery app, marketing becomes more targeted and efficient. You can leverage tools like push notifications, email marketing, and loyalty programs to engage customers and keep them coming back. For example, you can send personalized offers to repeat customers, notify them about new stock or discounts, or offer rewards for frequent shoppers. These marketing strategies help build stronger relationships with your customers and keep them engaged with your brand.

9. Competitive Advantage

Many traditional grocery stores still operate solely offline, which means there is a great opportunity for you to gain a competitive edge by going online. By offering an easy-to-use mobile app, you position your store as more modern and customer-centric, attracting a tech-savvy audience who prefers shopping online. In the long run, this can help you stay ahead of the competition, especially as the demand for digital grocery shopping continues to rise.

10. Reduced Human Error

Manual operations in an offline store are prone to human error—whether it’s mismatched prices, incorrect product labeling, or missed orders. An online grocery app minimizes such errors by automating many processes, including inventory updates, order processing, and billing. This results in fewer mistakes and a smoother, more reliable shopping experience for customers.

11. Sustainability and Eco-Friendliness

Online grocery apps can contribute to a more sustainable business model. For example, you can optimize your delivery routes to reduce fuel consumption or offer eco-friendly packaging options to reduce waste. These efforts can resonate with environmentally conscious customers, enhancing your brand image and fostering positive community relations.

Conclusion

Transitioning from an offline store to an online food delivery app development solution are no longer just an option—it’s a necessity in today’s competitive retail environment. 

From increasing sales and customer loyalty to improving operational efficiency and reducing costs, the benefits of an online grocery app are clear. If you’re ready to take your grocery store to the next level, building a custom app tailored to your business needs can be the key to success.

At DianApps, we specialize in developing user-friendly, feature-rich grocery shopping apps that help businesses like yours reach more customers, optimize operations, and increase sales. Ready to leap? Get in touch with us to start building your app today.