With physical retail taking a hit, many grocery shoppers are considering whether to go fully online. Amazon’s Dash Cart aims to one-up the convenience of an online shop by creating a fully automated experience, targeting in-store shoppers who want human-free and frictionless transactions.

Forget writing a list, running a quick errand, or even opening an app – where once online grocery shopping was the peak of convenience, Walmart’s voice-assisted collab with Apple and Google is upping the ante. As seamless shopping becomes the norm, the retailer is pivoting to meet shifting demand.

Pre-pandemic, people might have focused on price, service, and cuisine when choosing where to dine out. But COVID-19 has sparked a shift in people’s priorities, with sanitation becoming a key factor when choosing a restaurant, creating a desire to see how outlets are protecting people.

Big box chains and discount retailers may be expanding their influence across Middle America, but many rural and suburban residents in these states still struggle to access fresh and nutritious food. What are they searching for at supermarkets and how are stores meeting their expectations?