FDBusiness.com

More than a quarter (27%) of UK food and grocery manufacturers say they would consider building their own e-stores in the future in a bid to engage directly with shoppers online, according to research published by food and grocery analysts IGD. The research also reveals that the value of online grocery shopping is forecast to double by 2015 with sales set to reach £9.9b – twice its value of £4.8b at the end of 2010.

Sales online continue to grow at a faster rate than any other sector in the grocery market, with growth of 21.4% last year. In 2010, the online grocery market accounted for 3.2% of total grocery spend in the UK and is projected to increase to 5.4% by 2015.

More than two-fifths (43%) of manufacturers expect up to 10% of their total revenue to come from the online channel by 2015 – more than double the number (18%) currently generating this revenue level.

Joanne Denney-Finch, chief executive of IGD.

For 59% of UK shoppers, the removal of the delivery charge continues to be seen as the single most important factor that would drive them to shop online for their groceries. 13% of shoppers expect to use online grocery shopping more in the next year, rising to 24% of 18-34 year olds. 88% state that reliable delivery is the top factor driving online store choice, followed by suitable delivery slots (86%) and ease of setting up the order (84%).

“The world around us is changing and technology is leaping ahead. You only need to look at the last ten years to see that the digital age is evolving at an incredible pace,” remarks Joanne Denney-Finch, chief executive of IGD. “The strong growth predicted for the online grocery channel presents an opportunity for companies of all sizes and types – retailers, manufacturers, local producers – to meet the needs of today’s multi-channel shopper. It is encouraging to see manufacturers looking to flex their business models, participate in the digital explosion and engage with consumers in different ways.