Study shows that consumers still prefer visiting supermarkets for groceries

Despite all the hype around online ordering and delivery services, a recent study conducted by TABS Analytics found that conventional supermarkets and Walmart are overwhelmingly the top destinations for regular grocery shopping.

Of the 1,000 U.S. adults surveyed, 75% said traditional grocery stores were the retail venues they regularly visited to buy food and beverages (more than six times per month), and 57% cited Walmart.

However, compared to last year, 2% fewer people named supermarkets and Walmart as the places they regularly shop for food and beverages, and 2% - 4% more customers named dollar stores, drug stores and discount grocery stores. Target, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods saw gains as well.

Just one in six consumers said they regularly shopped online for groceries.

Walmart Neighborhood Market may accelerate its rollout

Earlier this month Walmart CEO Bill Simon said the company could accelerate the rollout of its Neighborhood Market grocery stores. According to Simon, Walmart had plans to open 80-100 Neighborhood Market stores this year and next, but that number could increase as returns on newly built stores approach those of its supercenter format.

"Neighborhood Market is a really cool format," said Simon. "It's a grocery store combined with a drug store put in a place where a dollar store would be."

And just to scare grocery stores, drug stores and dollar stores a little more, Simon kept talking.

"Imagine a drug store that has Walmart's prices that has fresh food, fresh produce and fresh meat. Imagine a convenience store that has pharmacy and fresh food. Imagine a grocery store that also has a pharmacy and, in many cases, gas, and the prices Walmart has. It just really works well against any competitive set it operates against."

Simon and the company he runs have a lot in common. They both lack eloquence, but make alot of money!