Online Grocery Orders Jumped 560% Over Last 7 Days

Give thanks for e-commerce. Without it right now we might not have much of an economy at all.

“As consumers prep for Thanksgiving, online grocery orders have increased 560% in the last 7 days,” Adobe says, compared to October’s daily average. “Based on Adobe Analytics data, $58.9 billion has been spent online from 11/1 to 11/23, growing at an unprecedented 32% year over year as people stay home and cut back on in store shopping. Despite a slowdown in online spending following election day, shoppers made up the gap, with the last 3 days growing at 49% year over year.”

Adobe isn’t just Photoshop. The company also provides web and commerce analytics that analyze a trillion annual e-commerce visits at 80 of the 100 largest retailers in the U.S. So the company sees a lot of data on where the economy is going.

This year we’re seeing a generational shift in consumer behavior, Adobe says.

And the Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday season is just building on the Covid-19 four to six year acceleration of e-commerce growth.

Unfortunately, we’re also see the return of hoarding as infection rates are up in most U.S. states. Stockpiling has reemerged, according to Adobe’s data: toilet paper sales are up 365%; first aid kits are up 357% from March levels.

Data highlights: here’s what’s hot

• Travel up: Travel bookings are up 35% year-over-year (during a pandemic, no less)
• BOPIS up: Curbside and in-store pickup is up 115% (and retailers who offer it are getting 32% higher conversions)
• Mobile up: Mobile commerce is up 49% year over year, and now accounts for an astonishing 39% of all e-commerce sales
• Large retailers growing faster: retailers with over $1 billion in annual revenue are up 136%, while smaller retailers are up 117%

Adobe expects Thanksgiving weekend sales of almost $30 billion, up 35-40% from last year, and is projecting full season e-commerce sales through November and December of $189 billion.

“The unique events of this year have driven consumers to move more of their lives online, not only for gifting, but also with food, apparel, household products, and more,” says Taylor Schreiner, a director at Adobe Digital Insights. “At the same time, retailers are accelerating promotion strategies as they see their shipping and fulfillment systems stretch under pressure.”