Online Grocery Sales Climb 15.5% as Stores Slip

Shoppers are moving food purchases online while in-store grocery sales decline and produce remains sluggish after a July outbreak.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Retail

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of an empty wicker shopping basket beside a closed brown delivery box on a pale surface, in warm earthy tones. — Online grocery orders rose 15.5% in the week of September 28 to October 4 as in-store grocery sales fell 2.8%, according to recent sales data. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Are you spending less on groceries in stores and buying more online right now?

Online grocery orders rose 15.5 percent for the week of September 28 to October 4 compared with the same period a year earlier, while in-store sales fell 2.8 percent. Food and beverage sales volumes have continued to decline over the latest four weeks.

Why it matters

Consumers are being more focused and diligent in their food shopping, reducing waste and balancing price tiers, pack sizes and private label as they wrestle with inflation and affordability. The shift is changing where and how Americans buy groceries during the holiday season.

Online grocery orders rose 15.5 percent year over year for September 28 to October 4 while in-store sales fell 2.8 percent over the same period. Roughly $1 of every $4 in retail sales from October through December is expected to be spent online.

The details

Refrigerated meals and ingredients posted the largest year-over-year growth among 15 categories analyzed, followed by candy, ice cream and frozen desserts. Produce sales remain sluggish following July's Cyclospora outbreak, which led thousands to fall ill.

July: Cyclospora outbreak sickens thousands and raises food supply concerns.
September 28 to October 4: Online grocery orders rise 15.5 percent year over year.
November and December: Consumers seek deals on everyday items like personal care products.
Cyber Week: Online hygiene product sales projected to jump 150 percent and clothing basics 210 percent versus September 2026 averages.

Market Landscape

The shift toward online grocery continues a multi-year move of food purchasing away from physical stores, with online grocery sales projected to climb from $23.5 billion in 2025 to $26.1 billion in 2026. Consumers are expected to spend 11 percent more on groceries in 2026 than in 2025, pressuring retailers to compete on digital convenience and price.

Shoppers may find more grocery deals and private-label options online as retailers compete for digital orders. Households focused on budgets can compare pack sizes and price tiers across channels before buying.

The takeaway

Comparing pack sizes, private-label options and online versus in-store prices can help shoppers stretch grocery budgets amid rising costs. Watching for Cyber Week deals on everyday items may also offer savings on personal care products.