Report: Grocery goes high-tech in 2016

Ordering groceries online and digitizing the store rank among the top trends in grocery shopping for 2016, according to GroceryStories.com.



GroceryStories identified the following full list of top grocery trends for 2016:



Shopping Online: Ordering groceries online has been growing steadily for a few years, but will surge in 2016. Many supermarkets that have not offered such an option will jump on board, and more grocers will join the 65 retailers partnering with Instacart. Also, GroceryStories predicts there will be more testing of curbside pick-up of groceries that have been ordered online.



Digitizing the Supermarket: Retailers will look to connect digitally with smartphone-carrying shoppers, especially millennials who will account for most grocery purchases as they start families.



More grocers will install beacons and Electronic Shelf Labels (ESLs).



Shrinking the Supermarket: Grocers will continue to open smaller supermarkets to cater to the needs of small households, especially in growing urban areas.



Entertaining in Stores: Operators of large supermarkets will take advantage of their space to lure customers with special events. More product sampling, nutritional tours and cooking demos will take place.



Dining in Stores: Operators of many new large supermarkets are including a cafe with a light menu, and this trend will grow.