Survey shows Gen Z turning away from supermarkets to mobile shopping

GLOBAL – A new survey by International Supermarket News (ISN) suggests that Generation Z, people aged between 18 and 32, are ready to skip supermarket visits altogether in favor of mobile shopping.

ISN asked 357 Gen Z participants how they would react if grocery shopping became quicker and easier through their phones, especially with delivery in under 15 minutes. The results were clear. Only 7% said they would continue shopping in supermarkets as they do today.

Another 31% said they would still visit stores sometimes but also order online. The most telling figure, however, is that 62% would completely stop going to physical stores.

“Time is everything for us,” said 24-year-old Lydia M, a student based in London. “If I can order food from my phone while heading to class or relaxing at home, why would I waste time queuing?”

This shift isn’t just about shopping online. It’s about how young people want to live. They prefer activities that let them focus on fitness, relaxation, or social media instead of walking through store aisles. For them, groceries should be as easy to order as takeaway.

Instead of battling for shelf space, supermarkets will now compete for space on phone screens. To stay relevant, they need to invest in smooth apps, fast delivery systems, and digital features that keep people coming back.

“The next five years will define winners and losers in grocery retail,” said ISN’s lead researcher Josh Collins. “Success will depend on how fast and how well stores adjust to mobile-first behavior.”

The Mobile App as the new grocery aisle

Gen Z shoppers want more than just quick delivery. They expect grocery apps to include rewards, special offers, and payment methods that work with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or similar services. A smooth shopping experience on a phone is now more important than store layout or parking.

More data backs up this shift. Mobile shopping now makes up 78% of online shopping traffic. Around 70% of those purchases happen through apps, which convert better than mobile websites. Over half of all online payments worldwide now go through mobile wallets.

On top of that, 55% of shoppers buy straight from social media, with 65% saying they trust recommendations from platforms like Instagram or TikTok.

Experts project that mobile commerce will reach US$6.5 trillion by 2025 and make up 75% of all online shopping. In regions like Asia-Pacific, this shift is already visible, with 85% of online sales happening through mobile devices.

Supermarkets that ignore these trends do so at their own risk. Gen Z has spoken: they want speed, they want ease, and they want it on their phones.

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