Forget the crowded supermarket aisles: the global grocery cart has officially gone digital, with a staggering $712.4 billion spent online in 2023 alone, signaling a permanent and explosive shift in how the world buys its food.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the global online grocery market size was valued at $712.4 billion, up 18.2% from 2022.
- US online grocery sales hit $47.4 billion in 2023, accounting for 13.7% of total grocery sales.
- Europe's online grocery penetration reached 15.6% of total grocery sales in 2023.
- In 2023, 42% of US online grocery shoppers were aged 25-34 years old.
- Women represented 58% of online grocery users in the US in 2023.
- Millennials made up 36% of global online grocery consumers in 2023.
- 62% of US online grocery orders were placed via mobile apps in 2023.
- Average online grocery basket size in US was $85 in 2023.
- 71% of UK online grocery users ordered weekly in 2023.
- Walmart held 37% US online grocery market share in 2023.
- Amazon captured 22% of US online grocery sales via Whole Foods in 2023.
- Instacart processed 1.2 billion orders globally in 2023.
- Global online grocery market expected to grow at 19.2% CAGR to $2.5 trillion by 2030.
- US online grocery penetration forecasted to hit 21.5% by 2025.
- China online grocery sales projected to reach RMB 2.5 trillion by 2027.
The global online grocery market grew significantly worldwide in 2023.
Competitive Landscape
- Walmart held 37% US online grocery market share in 2023.
- Amazon captured 22% of US online grocery sales via Whole Foods in 2023.
- Instacart processed 1.2 billion orders globally in 2023.
- Ocado Group delivered 1.1 billion items in the UK in 2023.
- JD.com's online grocery GMV reached RMB 300 billion in China 2023.
- BigBasket (Tata) had 15 million monthly users in India 2023.
- Rappi dominated Latin America quick commerce with 45% share in 2023.
- Woolworths online sales grew 24% to AUD 6 billion in Australia 2023.
- Carrefour online grocery revenue hit €7.5 billion in Europe 2023.
- DoorDash grocery deliveries increased 55% YoY in Canada 2023.
- Coupang Eats grocery orders tripled to 500 million in South Korea 2023.
- Cornershop by Uber had 10 million users in Mexico 2023.
- Noon Grocery captured 30% UAE market share in 2023.
- Tesco online sales were £8.2 billion, 18% of total in UK 2023.
- Kroger via Ocado fulfilled 20% more orders in US 2023.
- Alibaba Freshippo stores reached 500 locations in China 2023.
Competitive Landscape Interpretation
The grocery cart is now a global battleground, where Walmart and Amazon skirmish stateside while giants like JD.com and BigBasket feed billions, proving that while everyone needs to eat, no two markets have the same appetite.
Consumer Demographics
- In 2023, 42% of US online grocery shoppers were aged 25-34 years old.
- Women represented 58% of online grocery users in the US in 2023.
- Millennials made up 36% of global online grocery consumers in 2023.
- Urban residents accounted for 72% of online grocery buyers worldwide in 2023.
- Households with children under 18 comprised 55% of US online grocery users in 2023.
- In the UK, 28% of online grocery shoppers were over 55 years old in 2023.
- High-income earners (>$100k) were 40% more likely to shop online groceries in US 2023.
- Gen Z (18-24) represented 22% of China's online grocery users in 2023.
- 65% of Brazilian online grocery shoppers lived in metropolitan areas in 2023.
- In India, 48% of online grocery users were female professionals aged 25-40 in 2023.
- Australian online grocery users had an average household size of 3.2 in 2023.
- 37% of European online grocery buyers had college degrees in 2023.
- In Canada, 52% of online grocery shoppers were married couples in 2023.
- South Korean online grocery users averaged 35 years old in 2023.
- Mexican online grocery demographics showed 60% under 40 years in 2023.
- 45% of Middle East online grocery users were expatriates in 2023.
- French online grocery shoppers were 55% female with median income €45k in 2023.
Consumer Demographics Interpretation
It appears the digital grocery cart is being filled predominantly by the busy, well-educated urban core—young parents, dual-income couples, and professionals—proving that convenience is not just a luxury for the wealthy but a modern necessity for those short on time and space.
Future Projections
- Global online grocery market expected to grow at 19.2% CAGR to $2.5 trillion by 2030.
- US online grocery penetration forecasted to hit 21.5% by 2025.
- China online grocery sales projected to reach RMB 2.5 trillion by 2027.
- India online grocery market to expand to $30 billion by 2025 at 50% CAGR.
- UK online grocery share to reach 25% of total by 2027.
- Brazil quick commerce grocery to grow 60% annually to 2028.
- Australia online grocery penetration to 15% by 2026.
- Europe online grocery GMV to €250 billion by 2027.
- Canada online grocery sales forecast CAD 15 billion by 2027.
- South Korea online grocery to KRW 80 trillion by 2028.
- Mexico online grocery market to $10 billion by 2027.
- Middle East online grocery CAGR 28% to $15 billion by 2028.
- France online grocery penetration to 20% by 2027.
- Germany to see 18% online grocery share by 2028.
- Japan online grocery growth to ¥5 trillion by 2027.
- Quick commerce expected to account for 30% of online grocery by 2027 globally.
- AI personalization to boost online grocery retention by 25% by 2026.
- Autonomous delivery vehicles to handle 15% of grocery deliveries by 2030.
- Subscription models to grow to 40% of online grocery revenue by 2028.
- Sustainability features to influence 60% of online grocery choices by 2027.
Future Projections Interpretation
The world is now in a staggering global sprint to get groceries to our doorsteps, driven by our collective impatience, a dash of AI, and the undeniable appeal of not having to put on pants.
Market Size and Growth
- In 2023, the global online grocery market size was valued at $712.4 billion, up 18.2% from 2022.
- US online grocery sales hit $47.4 billion in 2023, accounting for 13.7% of total grocery sales.
- Europe's online grocery penetration reached 15.6% of total grocery sales in 2023.
- China's online grocery market grew by 25.4% YoY to RMB 1.2 trillion in 2023.
- India online grocery sector expanded to $6.5 billion in 2023 with 45% CAGR since 2019.
- UK online grocery sales surged 12.8% to £18.9 billion in 2023.
- Brazil's online grocery market value increased 32% to $4.2 billion in 2023.
- Australia's online grocery penetration rate was 9.8% of total sales in 2023.
- Global online grocery GMV projected to reach $1.1 trillion by 2027 at 12% CAGR.
- Southeast Asia online grocery market hit $25 billion in 2023, growing 28% YoY.
- Canada's online grocery sales grew 22% to CAD 8.5 billion in 2023.
- Middle East online grocery market valued at $3.8 billion in 2023, up 35%.
- South Korea's online grocery sector reached KRW 45 trillion in 2023.
- Mexico online grocery sales climbed 40% to $2.1 billion in 2023.
- Global dark store-based online grocery sales accounted for 45% of total in 2023.
- US online grocery market share of Walmart was 28% in 2023.
- Asia-Pacific online grocery market dominated with 52% global share in 2023.
- France online grocery sales increased 14% to €12.5 billion in 2023.
- Germany's online grocery penetration was 11.2% in 2023.
- Japan online grocery market grew 15% to ¥2.8 trillion in 2023.
Market Size and Growth Interpretation
The world is clearly voting with its fingertips, as the relentless global march of online grocery shopping—from explosive growth in emerging markets to steady gains in established ones—proves that the future of food retail is increasingly digital, convenient, and fiercely competitive.
Usage and Behavior
- 62% of US online grocery orders were placed via mobile apps in 2023.
- Average online grocery basket size in US was $85 in 2023.
- 71% of UK online grocery users ordered weekly in 2023.
- Global average delivery fee for online groceries was $4.50 in 2023.
- 55% of Chinese online grocery users opted for same-day delivery in 2023.
- In India, 68% of online grocery purchases were for fresh produce in 2023.
- Brazilian users spent average 25 minutes per online grocery session in 2023.
- 49% of Australian online grocery orders included subscription services in 2023.
- Europe saw 33% of online grocery users abandon carts due to high fees in 2023.
- Canadian online grocery repeat purchase rate was 78% in 2023.
- 60% of South Korean online grocery buys were via quick commerce apps in 2023.
- Mexico online grocery users preferred pickup 42% over delivery in 2023.
- 52% of global online grocery shoppers used loyalty programs in 2023.
- US customers rated delivery speed as top factor for 65% in 2023.
- In France, 47% ordered groceries online during evenings (6-10pm) in 2023.
- German online grocery app usage grew 28% to 15 million MAUs in 2023.
- Japan saw 39% of online grocery orders for pantry staples in 2023.
Usage and Behavior Interpretation
With our phones now the preferred shopping cart and loyalty programs half the battle, the 2023 global grocery data reveals a demanding consumer who wants their fresh produce fast and on their own terms, but will swiftly abandon a full cart over fees or linger half an hour in Brazil contemplating beans.
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