1. Evolution Insights: Shopper Insight Series
Online Food & Grocery:
The Shopper Perspective
Essential insight into shopper motivation and
behaviour in UK food and grocery online
SAMPLE EXTRACT
Evolution Insights Ltd
Prospect House
32 Sovereign Street
Leeds
LS1 4BJ
Tel: 0113 389 1038
http://www.evolution-insights.com
www.evolution-insights.com 1
3. About Evolution Insights
Evolution is a leading research consultancy specialising in shopper motivation and behaviour. We deliver off-the-shelf, tailored and bespoke research for
manufacturers, retailers and agencies.
Our research and analysis helps clients • Evolution offer a range of products & services for
develop targeted shopper marketing clients in the field of shopper research:-
initiatives designed to influence
• Off-the-shelf research
shoppers at the point of purchase.
– Evolution’s off the shelf research
publications deliver affordable insight into
shopper motivation and behaviours in UK
food, drink and grocery
• Insight Plus
– Insight Plus offers your business the
opportunity to engage in any of our regular
shopper research projects in advance of
We use a range of research publication, tailoring the scope to suit your
needs
methodologies to discover genuine
insights. Our research incorporates a • Bespoke Consulting
broad spectrum of robust qualitative
and quantitative research techniques. – As publishers of research, we are able to
draw upon a wealth of existing proprietary
data for consulting projects – helping to
better inform and shape any further
As a leading publisher of shopper research requirements.
research, we are ideally placed to
offer your business actionable
shopper insight.
Further information is available at our
website http://www.evolution-insights.com
Visit and sign up for Reflections, our free
quarterly newsletter offering analysis and
commentary on topical issues
www.evolution-insights.com 3
4. Contents
SLIDES INCLUDED IN THIS EXTRACT ARE HIGHLIGHTED IN RED
Key findings and summary 9 General dislikes 48
Dislikes as barriers to increased frequency 50
Online grocery shopping: definition 19 Barriers to online grocery shopping 51
Barriers to online grocery shopping, by retailer used offline 52
Online grocery shopping: the market 21
The market –size, growth and forecast to 2015 22 The online grocery shopper context 53
The market – retailer shares 23 A framework 54
Circumstances (location and time of shop) 55
Online grocery shopping drivers and trends 24 Approach to online grocery shopping 56
Overview of drivers and trends 25 Extent of planning and shopper modality 57
Growth in UK internet use 26 Shopper missions 58
Future trends – personalisation 27 Shopper missions, by demographic 60
Future trends – inspirations and ideas 28 Shopper missions, by average spend 61
Future trends – rise of generation Y 29 Shopper missions, by frequency 62
Future trends – digital media and smartphones 30
Future trends – mobile commerce 31 The online grocery shopper journey 63
Future trends – rise of social media 32 Journey – definition 64
Future trends – multi-media 33 Journey starting point 65
Journey starting point, by retailer 66
The online grocery shopper: at a glance 34 Journey starting point, by mission 67
Shopper penetration and frequency 35 Touch points 68
Demographic profile and penetration 36 Touch points, by retailer 69
Penetration and frequency, by retailer used offline 37 Touch points, by mission 70
Penetration and frequency, by retailer used online 38 Shopper journey: examples 71
Online retailer penetration, by retailer used offline 39
Frequency (detailed) 40 The online grocery shopper journey: touch points 74
Frequency (detailed), by retailer used online 41 Touch points - summary 75
Expenditure, by average frequency 42 Front page and login 76
Expenditure, online versus offline 43 Favourites 78
Drivers of online grocery shopping 44 General special offers pages 84
Drivers of store choice 45 Product information 87
Drivers of store choice, by retailer 46 Department navigation 89
Category performance 47 Interrupts 91
Recipes 92
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5. Contents (2)
Payment and checkout 93 Asda.com 120
Shopper share and demographic profiles 121
The online grocery shopper: key behavioural themes 95 Frequency and channel use 122
Managing budget 96 Drivers of choice and reasons shoppers like Asda.com 123
Impulse purchasing 98 Dislikes of online food and grocery shopping 124
Price comparison 99 Factors likely to make Asda.com shoppers shop grocery more frequently online 125
Brand loyalty and switching 100 Asda.com shopper attitudes 126
Range editing 101 Journey start point and touch points 127
Multi-buys and pack sizes 102
Sainsburys.co.uk 128
Shoppers’ ideas for improvement 103 Shopper share and demographic profiles 129
Overview 104 Frequency and channel use 130
More flexible/improved delivery 105 Drivers of choice and reasons shoppers like Sainsburys.co.uk 131
Ability to specify further detail for pickers/drivers 106 Dislikes of online food and grocery shopping 132
Better search, sort and product display 107 Factors likely to make Sainsburys.co.uk shoppers buy grocery more frequently online 133
Search, sort and product display: special offers 108 Sainsburys.co.uk shopper attitudes 134
Improved product information 109 Journey start point and touch points 135
Appeal of shopper marketing initiatives 110
Ocado.com 136
Online grocery shopping: retailer profiles 111 Shopper share and demographic profiles 137
Drivers of choice 138
Tesco.com 112 Dislikes of online food and grocery shopping 139
Shopper share and demographic profiles 113 Journey start point and touch points 140
Frequency and channel use 114
Drivers of choice and reasons shoppers like Tesco.com 115 Methodology 141
Dislikes of online food and grocery shopping 116
Factors likely to make Tesco.com shoppers shop for food and 117 Glossary 145
grocery more frequently online
Tesco.com shopper attitudes 118
Journey start point and touch points 119
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6. Contents (3)
List of figures and graphs
UK online food and grocery market expenditure estimates (2006-2015f) 22 Drivers of store choice 45
Online retailer usage penetration 23 Drivers of store choice by retailer, versus average. 46
Drivers and trends in UK online grocery shopping 25 Relative frequency of category purchasing when shopping offline versus online 47
UK household Internet penetration 2006-2010 26 Dislikes of online grocery shopping among online grocery shoppers 49
Home internet access, by demographic, 2009 and 2010 26 Shopper appeal of initiatives designed to increase frequency of online grocery 50
shopping
UK adults using the Internet every day, 2006 - 2010 26 Barriers to online food and grocery shopping 51
UK population age profile, 2010 estimate and 2015 projection 29 Barriers to online grocery shopping by shoppers’ offline retailer 52
Number of smartphone users and penetration of smartphones in the UK, 30 Factors influencing the online grocery shoppers’ context 54
2008 Q1 to 2010 Q2
Penetration of UK adults who say they regularly shop for grocery and own a 30 Location and time where shoppers do their online grocery shopping 55
smartphone, by demographic
Penetration of online grocery shopping 35 Shopper’s ‘approach’ to conducting online grocery shopping 56
Penetration of online grocery shopping, by frequency 35 Online grocery shopping modalities 57
Demographic profile of online food & grocery shoppers 36 Shopper perspective on planning lists and meals in advance 57
Penetration of online food & grocery shoppers, by demographic 36 How do the four different categories of shopper missions translate online? 58
Penetration of online grocery shopping, by offline retailer 37 Penetration of missions by frequency 59
Penetration of online grocery shopping, by offline retailer and frequency 37 Penetration of missions by frequency (most regular only) 59
Penetration of online grocery shopping, by online retailer and frequency 38 Penetration of online shoppers who say they each of the following missions is 60
their most regular, by demographic
Online grocery retailer used by multi-channel shoppers, by offline retailer 39 Missions by retailer 60
Frequency of online grocery shopping 40 Average spend by most regular online shopping mission 61
Frequency of online grocery shopping, by online retailer 41 Frequency of online grocery shopping by mission 62
Average spend of online grocery shopper, by typical frequency 42 Factors influencing the online grocery shopper’s journey 64
Typical spend online versus offline 43 Online grocery shopper journey – starting point 65
Reasons for online grocery shopping 44 Online grocery shopping journey – starting point, by retailer 66
Drivers of store choice 45 Online grocery shopping journey – starting point, by mission 67
Drivers of store choice by retailer, versus average. 46 Online grocery shopping journey – touch points 68
Relative frequency of category purchasing when shopping offline vs online 47 Online grocery shopping journey – touch points, by retailer 69
Dislikes of online grocery shopping among online grocery shoppers 49 Online grocery shopping journey – touch points, by mission 70
www.evolution-insights.com 6
7. Contents (4)
The online grocery shopper journey: examples – weekly shop 71 Shopper perspective on a variety of potential shopper marketing initiatives online 110
The online grocery shopper journey: examples – weekly shop (2) 72 Online grocery shoppers’ use of Tesco.com 113
The online grocery shopper journey: examples – larger stock-up shop 73 Proportion of online shoppers who say Tesco is the online retailer they use most 113
regularly, by demographic
Penetration of favourites, by retailer 72 How frequently do Tesco.com shoppers typically shop online, compared to all 114
online food and grocery shoppers?
Shopper appeal of ‘favourites list’ related initiatives 73 Channel use of Tesco.com shoppers 114
Example of a typical weekly online shopper journey by touch point 75 Factors grocery shoppers say are likely to make them shop online more frequently, 117
interaction Tesco.com vs average
Penetration of favourites, by mission 83 Shopper perspective on potential shopper marketing initiatives, Tesco.com vs 118
average
Penetration of general special offers pages, by retailer 84 How Tesco.com shoppers typically start their online shop 119
Shopper appeal of general special offers page 85 Touch points typically interacted with by Tesco.com shoppers 119
Shopper appeal of ‘special offers’ related initiatives 86 Online grocery shoppers’ use of Asda.com 121
Shopper appeal of product information related initiatives 88 Proportion of online shoppers who say Asda is the online retailer they use most 121
regularly, by demographic
Penetration of recipe pages while shopping, by retailer 92 How frequently do Asda.com shoppers typically shop online, compared to all online 122
food and grocery shoppers?
Shopper perspective on overall spend online versus in supermarket 97 Channel use of Asda.com shoppers 122
Shopper perspective on impulse spend online versus in supermarket 98 Factors grocery shoppers say are likely to make them shop online more frequently, 125
Asda.com vs average
Shopper perspective on pack sizes and bulky items online versus in 102 Shopper perspective on potential shopper marketing initiatives, Asda.com vs. 126
supermarket average
How Asda.com shoppers typically start their online shop 127
Percentage of online grocery shoppers who say ‘an improvement in the 106 Touch points typically interacted with by Asda.com shoppers 127
freshness and quality of products delivered by being able to specify the
best before date’ is likely to make them shop online more frequently, by
retailer
Percentage of online grocery shoppers who say ‘Improvements to how 107 Online grocery shoppers’ use of Sainsburys.co.uk 129
easy the website is to use and find what you want’ is likely to make them
shop online more frequently, by retailer
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8. Contents (5)
Proportion of online shoppers who say Sainsbury's is the online retailer 129 List of tables
they use most regularly, by demographic
How frequently do Sainsburys.co.uk shoppers typically shop online, 130 Drivers of store choice by retailer, versus average 46
compared to all online food and grocery shoppers?
Penetration of online shoppers who say they each of the following missions is 60
their most regular, by demographic
Channel use of Sainsburys.co.uk shoppers 130 The online grocery shopper journey: touch points – summary 75
Factors grocery shoppers say are likely to make them shop online more 133 Shopper perspective on initiatives designed to encourage more frequent online 105
frequently, Sainsburys.co.uk vs average grocery shopping
Shopper perspective on potential shopper marketing initiatives, 134 Drivers of store choice mentioned by Tesco.com shoppers, versus average 115
Sainsburys.co.uk vs. average
How Sainsburys.co.uk shoppers typically start their online shop 135 Dislikes of online food and grocery shopping mentioned by Tesco.com shoppers, 116
versus average
Touch points typically interacted with by Sainsburys.co.uk shoppers 135 Drivers of store choice mentioned by Asda.com shoppers, versus average 123
Online grocery shoppers’ use of Ocado.com 137 Dislikes of online food and grocery shopping mentioned by Asda.com shoppers, 124
versus average
Proportion of online shoppers who say Ocado.com the online retailer they 137 Drivers of store choice mentioned by Sainsburys.co.uk shoppers, versus average 131
use most regularly, by demographic
How Ocado.com shoppers typically start their online shop 140 Dislikes of online food and grocery shopping mentioned by Sainsburys.co.uk 132
shoppers, versus average
Touch points typically interacted with by Ocado.com shoppers 140 Drivers of store choice mentioned by Ocado.com shoppers, versus average 138
Evolution’s methodology 142 Dislikes of online food and grocery shopping mentioned by Ocado.com shoppers, 139
versus average
Topics of questions in quantitative survey 143 List of accompanied shop participants 144
List of accompanied shop participants 144
www.evolution-insights.com 8
9. Online food and grocery shopping: definition
Online food and grocery is a broad field in the UK, comprising some of the largest supermarket retailers alongside e-commerce specialists and even
category specific e-retailers.
In scope • Evolution defines the online food and grocery shopping ‘channel’ primarily in
terms of the major e-retailers. There are a variety of different formats to consider:
• On the one hand, there are the Big 4 supermarket retailers, three of which already
have an existing online grocery shopping proposition and for which, between
them, account for the lion’s share of the online grocery market in the UK.
• Secondly, there are ‘online only’ e-retailers such as Ocado and - much more
recently – Amazon; who seek to drive market share in online grocery despite the
absence of physical bricks and mortar stores. Ocado in particular enjoys notable
success due to its early entry into the market and reputation for quality and
innovation, and its partnership with Waitrose.
• Third, there are major high street retail names such as Boots and Holland & Barrett
who offer online shopping and delivery, albeit for a restricted range of categories
that reflect their core proposition. We also note that while retailers such as Marks
& Spencer and Iceland offer home delivery and online order for collection, they do
not offer a full online grocery proposition at the time of writing.
• Finally, there is a wide range of niche e-retailers who specialise in specific themes
such as organic, clearance, and even category specialisms. Examples of these
include Abel & Cole, Goodness Direct and Naked, just to mention a few.
Out of scope
• NB. ‘food and grocery’ includes categories such as drink, personal care and
household cleaning yet excludes those major non food items such as clothing and
electricals that are sold online by some of the major grocery e-retailers.
Evolution defines the online grocery shopping channel in relation to
e-retailer formats considered and relative market share.
Major non food categories such as clothing and electricals, in
addition to niche e-retailers specialising in certain themes or
categories, fall out of the scope of this report.
www.evolution-insights.com 9
10. The online grocery shopper: at a glance – online retailer penetration, by offline retailer
Tesco’s universal proposition, focus on value and leadership in innovation positions it particularly well to attract the loyalty of shoppers who otherwise
shop elsewhere offline. Many consider Tesco ideal for typical online shops, where the focus is often greater on bulkier branded and commodity goods.
Online grocery retailer used by multi-channel shoppers, by offline retailer • Here we consider online retailer penetration by offline
100
retailer. In other words, we look at multi-channel
shoppers who use both online and offline, and
90 86 compare where they shop online to where they shop
offline.
80
73
• For example, an overwhelming 86% of Tesco shoppers
70 Tesco.com who also shop online at least occasionally, use
Sainsburys.co.uk Tesco.com. In contrast, only 52% of Sainsbury’s
60
52 53 shoppers who also shop online use Sainsburys.co.uk.
Asda.co.uk
50
%
Ocado.com • In essence, we are able to measure the extent of cross-
40 Waitrose.com channel store loyalty among grocery shoppers. Tesco
shoppers are particularly loyal when it comes to
28 Amazon.co.uk Grocery
30 shopping online, while Sainsbury’s shoppers are much
21 Another online retailer less so. Notably, Sainsbury’s loses the majority of those
20 16 who go elsewhere online to Tesco.com. Our qualitative
9
7 8 research suggests many shoppers whose nearest
10 5 5 5 6 6
3 5 3 2 1 1 2
supermarket is Sainsbury’s consider Tesco of a similar
1 1 0 0 1 0 quality and yet lower price. Others justify the ‘trade
0
Tesco Asda Sainsbury's Morrisons down’ to Tesco as sensible since they use online
primarily for branded and commodity goods where
price is the most important factor.
Source: Evolution Insights
• Perhaps of most interest is the destination of Morrisons shoppers who also Tesco.com has been particularly successful at
shop online. At the time of writing Morrisons are yet to launch their online not only driving high levels of store loyalty
offering, and over half (53%) of those who do shop online are using Tesco.com among Tesco shoppers, but attracting
instead. We suggest that Morrisons may struggle at launch to regain the loyalty significant proportions of other Big 4
of its shoppers whom have already established comfort and routine with a
shoppers through its universal appeal and
different online retailer.
leadership in online grocery.
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11. The online grocery shopper: at a glance – category selection
Household cleaning, dry and canned goods over index online, while fresh foods over-index offline. While this largely reflects the difference in underlying
mission mix between the two channels, we note that sin categories under-index online despite their non perishable and sometimes bulky nature.
Relative frequency of category purchasing when shopping offline versus online
• Here we consider how frequently shoppers purchase
each category online versus offline. Shoppers were
Newspapers
asked to rate how frequently they buy each category
Tobacco
when shopping online, and then how frequently when
Pet care shopping offline. The graph highlights the relative
Baby products difference in average score achieved by each category.
Bathroom toiletries (e.g. soap, toothpaste)
Personal care (e.g. shampoo, deodorant) • For example, household cleaning products are bought
Health and beauty (e.g. cosmetics, slimming aids) more frequently when shopping online than when
Dry goods (e.g. pasta, rice)
shopping offline, while dairy and bakery are bought
more frequently when shopping offline.
Canned goods, sauces and condiments
Frozen food
• The graph highlights the effect of underlying
Household cleaning (e.g. laundry detergent, dishwashing) differences in mission and frequency between online
Breakfast cereals and offline shopping trips. For example, multi-channel
Soft or carbonated drinks shoppers who shop online occasionally to stock-up (the
Chilled juice most common online mission) are more likely to
Tea, coffee, drinking chocolate and malted drinks purchase laundry detergent on these missions, due to
Alcohol
its long lasting, non perishable and bulky nature.
Biscuits and crackers
• It is interesting to note however that alcohol, crisps
Crisps and snacks
and confectionery under-index online despite sharing
Chocolate and sweets some similar attributes.
Chilled convenience food (e.g. pizzas, ready meals)
Fresh meat, poultry and fish Our research suggests that many shoppers
Fresh fruit and veg inc. salad are less likely to purchase sin categories
Dairy, milk and eggs online, despite their non perishable and
Bakery and bread sometimes bulky nature. Shoppers find it
Bought more often Bought same frequency whether Bought more often easier to see and control their spend online,
when shopping offline shopping online or offline when shopping online often sacrificing big ticket luxuries like alcohol
Base = UK adults who say they shop for food & grocery both offline and online at least occasionally, n = 955.
as a result.
Source: Evolution Insights
www.evolution-insights.com 11
12. The online grocery shopper journey: touch points, by retailer
Here we consider how the different touch points of an online grocery shopper’s journey varies by retailer. While differences are relatively small, there are
nevertheless some interesting variances to consider.
Online grocery shopping journey – touch points, by retailer (excluding booking of delivery slot) • Special offers in particular are the forte of both Tesco
80 and Ocado – and less so with Asda. We also note the
particularly high penetration of personalised special
offers for Ocado, reflecting their leadership in this
70 68 space. Ocado also boast the greatest engagement in
recipes and suggestions – in part due to the
demographic of its shoppers but also in part due to its
The favourites list (for example previous
58 58 orders, last order, previous bought, user focus on features, functionality and innovation.
60 57
56 55 created lists)
52 The keyword search
• As expected, Sainsbury’s also sees a higher level of
52
engagement in recipes although perhaps not as high as
50 48 might be expected considering its shopper
The general special offers pages demographic and celebrity endorsement. Furthermore
it sees the lowest engagement in favourites and
40 highest penetration in keyword search (and indeed
%
The 'special offers relevant to you' pages shoppers who use none of these features). This
supports the findings from our accompanied shops
30 30 where, many prefer to use simple department
29 28
30
25 25 The recipes and meal suggestions pages navigation as the main touch-point during their
23 journey.
20 18
I don't use any of the above • Interestingly, Asda falls short of the rest when it comes
to personalised offers, something reinforced by our
accompanied shops where many complained about
9 9
10 7 7 the lack of relevance of multi-buy deals in particular.
6
4 4 Asda also has the highest level of shoppers not using
any of the website features beyond basic department
0 navigation.
Tesco.com Sainsburys.co.uk Asda.co.uk Ocado.com*
* Very low sample size n = 60
Source: Evolution Insights
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13. The online grocery shopper journey: examples
While every shopper journey is different, we are able to consider some high level examples of typical shopper journeys observed from our accompanied
shops and supported by our quantitative research. Here we present the typical journey of a regular online grocery shopper.
The vast majority of shoppers focus Shoppers often move on to department Many shoppers visit the general special offers at
entirely on logging in, booking a navigation for later categories and the end of their shop for less than 30 seconds,
delivery slot and getting started specific items they have written down just to check they haven’t missed anything
e.g. non perishables and non food 46% use this feature
AND
Department
Front page Favourites Keyword search Special offers Checkout
navigation
OR
Weekly shoppers often use Keyword search is used either instead of The majority of shoppers spend a good
favourites to rapidly shortcut department navigation (as a shortcut), or amount of time carefully reviewing
buying regular staples and to in addition (to search for specific their basket, removing and adding
break the back of their shop products, brands or forgotten items) items. Opportunities for personalised
55% of weekly shoppers start Roughly 1 in 4 use this feature reminders are strong.
here, 68% use at some point
.
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14. The online grocery shopper journey: summary
Touch point Common assumptions Our research suggests
Front page and This is the best place for your top offers, shoppers expect to Page footfall does not necessarily equate to interaction with marketing initiatives –
login see them at this stage. FMCG’s must support with their shoppers are very focussed on logging in, booking their delivery slot and starting their shop.
strongest promotions of the year.
Favourites This section is used by most shoppers to purchase regular The most likely to engage are frequent weekly shoppers who use it primarily as a shortcut
items. It is a good place to position initiatives and alternatives to buy the regular staples. They often move away from the favourites after this, and
to influence decision making. complain about the length and lack of personalisation. 1 in 3 don’t use favourites at all.
General special Shoppers expect to the biggest discounts in this section, so it It’s more about the relevance than the depth of the cut! The majority of shoppers visit very
offers pages is best used for fiercest promotions. briefly at the end of their journey to ‘see if they have missed anything’. Most give up very
quickly if the offers are not relevant to them. Stock-up shoppers are more likely than others
to use these pages.
Product Shoppers want detailed information about ingredients, The majority of shoppers who visit product information pages do so just to quickly check if
information pages nutritional content, provenance, suggested complements and the product is what they think it is, primarily using the larger picture to assess the product.
alternatives.
Department Good place for promotional activity as this replicates Issues here relate to ability to interrupt, with many shoppers exhibiting incredibly rapid and
navigation shopping by aisle, where traditional shoppers are the most focused range editing through use of product pictures, price and retailer ‘offers’ graphics.
open to offers. We find department navigation is particularly relevant to Sainsbury’s and Asda shoppers.
Keyword search Very powerful position for shopper marketing as shoppers Shoppers often search for specific brands by keyword, or use keyword search as a quicker
typically search for specific items they already intend to way just to find the right department. Those who recalled marketing and offers complained
purchase. about low relevance. We suggest there is a significant opportunity to improve here.
Interrupts Effective means to capture attention and influence Awareness in general is very high but recall of specific offers and interaction is very low.
(banners) purchasing behaviour. Nevertheless, where relevant we suggest they are particularly effective.
Recipes Great place to feature products, as recipe ingredients can be The majority of online shoppers are focused and have already planned their shop. Use of
added directly to the basket. recipes is high but use while actually shopping is very low. Only 5% use this page while
shopping! Opportunities here for greater education and synergy with above the line.
Checkout Best area for impulse purchases and new products. Better used as a reminder - “have you forgotten …?”. Shoppers are focused on reviewing
their basket and entering financial details. Relevance is key. We find impulse purchasing is
very low.
Source: Evolution Insights
www.evolution-insights.com 14
15. The online grocery shopper journey: touch points – favourites (3)
Many of our accompanied
shoppers complained about
the length of favourites pages
– saying they mainly use them
to quickly buy the ‘regular
staples’ such as fresh fruit &
veg, bakery, dairy and meat.
I wouldn’t rely on it
completely [‘my usuals’]
though because I might
miss something
[Female, 20-39, C1, Sainsburys]
It [favourites] reminds of Because it’s [the favourites list] laid For me the last order feature is about
the things I need to ‘break out the same way the supermarket is helping me shortcut and save time –
the back of the shop laid out, I use it to shop the staples. I rather than being about ordering the
[Female, 30-39, AB, FT, Tesco]
don’t have these on my written list same list every time.
[Female, 20-39, C1, Sainsburys] [Female, 40-49, B, FT, Ocado]
I always start with my favourites,
and shop the fresh grocery items
mainly, but then I get bored and • Online grocery retailers present favourites as a single list or by department. In either
think ‘oh, I better stick to my scenario, favourites are presented in a similar order to aisles in the supermarket.
I use the favourites as a prompt [written] list and not go off-piste.
but then I shop the website for [Female, 30-39, C1, FT, Tesco] • Our accompanied shops find that many shoppers use the favourites as a prompt and to
offers and alternatives before ‘break the back of the shop’ by following the lists in this order – they often carried a written
deciding whether I want to buy (paper) list too and used this and keyword search/department navigation for later non-
the usual or not perishable and non-food categories.
[Female, 50-59, C2, PT, Asda]
www.evolution-insights.com 15
16. Tesco.com – drivers of stores choice and reasons shoppers like Tesco.com
Here we look at reasons why shoppers choose Tesco.com. We also present what shoppers who did accompanied shops said they like about Tesco.com.
The qualitative research highlights the important role Clubcard plays in driving loyalty for Tesco.com
Drivers of store choice mentioned by Tesco.com shoppers, versus average.
Tesco.com Average I get more out of Tesco’s There isn’t an Asda near enough to
% % loyalty scheme than me. If there was then I would use
They offer the best value for me 46.1 47.2 Sainsbury’s – they send me it. But I can use them when I shop
obvious money off vouchers in online. However, I will use Tesco’s
They have the best promotions 32.0 34.0 online too because their Clubcard
the post.
They have the most suitable delivery times for me 21.5 29.3 [Female, 30-39, AB, FT, Tesco] points are good.
[Female, 20-29, DE, Tesco]
They have the cheapest delivery 9.9 25.0
Their produce tends to be the freshest/best quality 15.6 23.4
The reason I only use
Their website is the easiest to use and understand 25.0 22.4
Tesco’s Clubcard scheme is Tesco.com is their Clubcard
Their range is better than the rest 17.9 20.2
the most generous of the point scheme. I have looked
different offers, and they at the others but never used
They don't send product substitutes as much as their competitors 7.6 16.0
also send me vouchers by even once. I like collecting
Because they are the same company as the supermarket I usually email for using online which points from the Clubcard
36.9 15.0
use
makes it even better scheme
[Female, 20-29, C1, FT, Tesco]
They have my favourites list 19.0 12.3 [Female, 30-39, DE, Tesco]
It's the only one I've ever considered 14.8 10.5
Other 11.8 10.1
Source: Evolution Insights I also think their Clubcard points are the best.
[Female, 20-29, DE, Tesco]
If Tesco do substitute they do so I also like the fact when my order arrives with Tesco that
generally for a more expensive item but they tell me if they have substituted things or if anything has Tesco has a good variety of products,
charge me the price of that I requested a shorter shelf life than they would like and they give me an particularly products that have features
so i feel special! option to refuse it. Sainsbury's don't do this and annoyed
[Female, 30-39, AB, FT, Tesco] like gluten free, and vegetarian Quorn
me as a result giving me produce close to best before date. products.
[Female, 30-39, AB, FT, Tesco] [Female, 20-29, DE, Tesco]
www.evolution-insights.com 16
17. Methodology
• Evolution carried out a preliminary survey of 100
shoppers, to test questions for the main survey and
Evolution’s methodology establish an initial view of market penetration.
Detailed online store audits were also completed, to
facilitate awareness and commentary of online grocery
retailer features, functionality and initiatives. Initial
insights gained were used to help further design the
Secondary and desk Preliminary qualitative and
research quantitative research main survey.
• Two quantitative surveys were utilised in this report.
The first was part of a wider research programme and
had a sample of 1,546 UK adults who said they
regularly shop for food & grocery. This survey was
used to determine overall penetration rates, barriers
to online food and grocery retailing and offline
retailers used. The second survey included only
shoppers who shop for food and grocery online at
lease occasionally. This sample of 1,002 completed all
Main quantitative surveys Store audits
questions relating to their online shopping behaviour.
• 13 detailed accompanied shops including in-depth pre-
and post-shop interview were then carried out to
further explore interesting findings relating to the
quantitative research, and to address in more detail
topics such as journey, interaction with touch points,
interaction with marketing, impulse purchasing, brand
switching, managing budget and price comparison.
Detailed accompanied
shops, including pre- and
Insights • Comprehensive and detailed assessment of all the data
post-shop in-depth
interviews received was then used to discover insights.
Throughout this process, primary research was
supported by secondary research drawing on
Evolution’s proprietary databases, national statistics,
news and industry resources. Evolution’s consultants
Source: Evolution Insights
also maintained close relationships with industry
figures across retailers and manufacturers.
www.evolution-insights.com 17
18. Methodology: quantitative research - survey
Topics of questions in quantitative survey
Demographic profiling • Detailed shopper insights were gained from two
surveys - one of 1,546 UK adults who say they regularly
Frequency of online grocery shopping shop for food and grocery, the other of 1,002 UK
adults said they shopped online at least occasionally.
The first sample was fully representative of the UK
Reasons / barriers for online grocery shopping
population who regularly shop for food & grocery,
while the second was fully representative of the online
Online retailer usage in terms of frequency and most regular grocery shopper population in the UK.
Drivers of store choice • The survey contained 18 questions relating to topics
outlined to the left – in addition to standard
Offline retailer usage in terms of frequency and most regular demographic profiling questions.
Missions in terms of frequency and most regular • The questions were designed to give maximum insight
into shopper’s motivation and behaviour before,
during and after online grocery shopping.
Category purchasing online and offline
• The survey was undertaken by PCP Market Research
Spend online and offline Consultants on behalf of Evolution Insights. PCP is a
company partner of the MRS and is therefore bound
Circumstances, approach and modality while shopping online by the MRS code of conduct.
Dislikes with online grocery shopping • The survey was carried out online during the week
commencing 9th August 2010.
Barriers to increased frequency
Behavioural themes including impulse, range editing, spend, pack sizes
Perspective on shopper marketing initiatives and potential improvements to online grocery shopping
Source: Evolution Insights
www.evolution-insights.com 18
19. Methodology: qualitative research – accompanied shops
Accompanied shops were chosen as the primary method of qualitative research. This allowed for detailed investigation into themes such as journey,
interaction with touch points, interaction with marketing, impulse purchasing, brand switching, managing budget and price comparison.
List of accompanied shop participants • 13 accompanied shops were carried out during
September 2010 in order to provide in depth
qualitative research for analysis.
Accompanied Shop Participants
Number of children in • The format of the accompanied shops consisted of an
Gender Age Social Class Marital Status household Retailer initial briefing and basic structured questions to
Female 40-49 B Married 0 Ocado establish the shoppers’ online grocery context;
observation and recording of the accompanied shop
Female 50-59 C2 Divorced 2 Asda itself; and post shop questions (both unstructured
Female 20-29 C1 Single 0 Tesco
based on their behaviour during the shop, and
structured to establish their thoughts on topics such as
Female 30-39 D Divorced 2 Tesco likes, dislikes and ideas for improvement).
Male 30-39 C1 Living with partner 0 Sainsburys
• All participants were confirmed to be existing online
Male 20-29 E Single 2 Asda grocery shoppers whom had a genuine need to
conduct an online grocery shop at the time of their
Female 20-29 D Married 0 Tesco
involvement. All reasonable efforts were made to
Female 40-49 C1 Married 2 Ocado provide an environment conducive to natural
behaviour. Shoppers were observed and their actions
Female 20-29 D Living with partner 0 Asda digitally recorded during the shop, but importantly
Female 30-39 C1 Engaged 0 Tesco there was no interruption from or interaction with the
facilitator during this time.
Female 50-59 C1 Married 1 Tesco
Female 30-39 C1 Married 1 Sainsburys
• Participants were recruited by PCP Market Research
Consultants on behalf of Evolution Insights. PCP is a
Female 20-29 C1 Married 0 Sainsburys company partner of the MRS and is therefore bound
by the MRS code of conduct.
Source: Evolution Insights
www.evolution-insights.com 19