During pandemic lockdowns, many Britons got into the habit of buying groceries locally and/or online, with ethics, provenance, and convenience becoming central factors in their decision-making. As the UK emerges from the crisis, how can brands in the sector adapt to these new priorities?

The pandemic saw many people pivot to shopping for groceries online – whether for convenience, hygiene, or personal safety. As in-store shopping becomes normalised for Britons again, online-only retailer Ocado is still winning fans and it’s continuing to innovate to drive consumer loyalty.

Lockdowns catapulted grocery delivery services to success in many cities around the world, with apps like Getir, Weezy, and Gorillas offering to send goods to people’s doors in just ten minutes. But is lightning-fast delivery sustainable? And are there other ways to offer convenience without speed?

The last mile of delivery presents a formidable economic and environmental challenge for retailers, one that intensified as COVID-19 increased online orders. Canvas8 spoke to marketing professor Katrijn Gielens about the solutions that can work best for both businesses and consumers.