Nielsen Homescan research of the four weeks to 22 February shows online grocery sales up 45% as consumers limit exposure to crowds in-store. The Nielsen numbers show a sharp rise in online sales of basic foodstuffs including pasta (+76%), eggs (+72%), canned meals (+71%), tea (+62%), rice (+58%), flour (+55%) and shelf-stable milk (+50%). Nielsen says products that come off factory lines or go through distribution systems in virus-impacted countries could also face logistical issues.
The analysts from Nielsen also explained that managing stock levels will be critical as continuous out-of-stocks will result in shoppers store switching to get the products they need; while brand loyalty could be affected as shoppers are forced to select items outside of their usual repertoire or manage their household budget to sacrifice impulse spending and non-essential items.
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