ABSTRACT
In April 2021, a new grocery delivery app arrived in Manchester. Speedy grocery apps could turn out to be a fad; tempting introductory offers will dwindle in the face of market consolidation and spent investment, the novelty of delivery speeds may wear off and the cost of living crisis will likely make bulk buying and the value ranges of large supermarkets more appealing. The efficiency of the online world may have lured some shoppers but seeking out and acquiring nourishment is also a deeply visceral experience, driven by more than need or convenience. The trend affecting future food retail is ‘convenience’ reversing a trend that dates back to the arrival of the refrigerator in the kitchen and the car in the drive. Amazon has indicated that food is one of its key target markets. It acquired the Whole Foods chain in the US in 2018 and has invested in London-based Deliveroo.
