Online Meat Shopping Climbs; Quality Concerns Remain

The number of consumers who order fresh meat online has jumped sharply over the last year, but there are some concerns.  A new study says 25% of those shoppers say their purchases didn’t measure up in terms of quality and freshness.  The Retail Feedback Group conducted the survey, which says the big increase in the rising level of fresh food purchasing, including meat, was one of the most notable findings.  The study found that online meat buying jumped 40% in the past year.  Deli meats and cheese purchases climbed 50%.

Among the other potential fresh-food purchases, online produce buying rose 50%, seafood climbed 46%, bakery increased 36 percent, while prepared foods and meals were up 27%.  Most of those who chose not to purchase meat on-line said their chief concern is refrigeration and freshness.  81% of survey respondents say the quality is the most important factor they consider when purchasing meat online. 55% of respondents who don’t purchase meat online say the main reason is concerns about refrigeration during delivery. The survey also found about half of online shopper plan to order more groceries through the internet over the next year. The survey shows that baby boomers are the most satisfied age group when it comes to online grocery shopping.

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