Mobile payment options will soon replace physical credit cards as shoppers’ preferred payment method at supermarkets, as they’re more secure and convenient. This is one of hundreds of findings in What’s in Store 2017, the latest edition of the annual trends publication from the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA), Madison, Wis.  

Other findings in the book’s “Technology and Marketing” chapter include:

• 30% of grocery retailers believe store remodeling was the best investment made in the past five years, with 27% saying it will be the best investment in the next five years.

• Unmanned grocery stores open 24 hours—which enable shoppers to unlock a door and scan purchases themselves through an app—could be a solution to provide better shopping options in rural areas where individuals must drive long distances to the nearest store.

• Shopper concerns about purchasing groceries online include quality and freshness, identical pricing and shipping and pickup fees.

“Technology is a constant factor and driver of shopper expectations and excitement in all segments of retail, and food retail is no exception,” says Kathryn Pereira, education coordinator. “In addition to the continual growth of e-commerce, we’re seeing such technologies like iBeacons, mobile checkout and enhanced payment security becoming increasingly common in supermarkets. Adopting these technologies will be an essential step in engaging with the shoppers of today and tomorrow.” 

These findings follow IDDBA’s research on the importance of food origin and transparency.