: ITS Logistics provides a real-world look at how a specialty snack brand moved from Amazon-only sales to a direct-to-consumer (DTC) online presence to maintain brand control. Key Emerging Trends for 2026
: Available on PJLSS , this 2024 paper notes that while "price saving" isn't a primary driver for online food orders, convenience motivation and prior online experience are significant predictors of whether someone will continue shopping online. buy speciality food online
Industry reports provide hard data on the massive scale of the specialty food e-commerce market, which is currently seeing rapid expansion. : ITS Logistics provides a real-world look at
: This case study (from the University of Kent ) examines the "7Ps" of the marketing mix for virtual food retailers. It highlights the differences in strategy between "pure-play" online grocers (like Ocado) and "brick-and-click" hybrid models. : This case study (from the University of
: According to Ken Research , the global specialty food market is driven by a health-conscious shift and a rising middle class (particularly in China). The report notes that U.S. online grocery sales reached $100 billion in 2023, accounting for 12% of total grocery sales.
: Published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior (and ScienceDirect ), this study found that people shop differently online, often spending more money per trip but purchasing fewer impulsive items like candy compared to in-store visits. 2. Market Analysis & Growth Reports
: This study from the International Journal of Hospitality Management (archived on ResearchGate ) integrates the "Theory of Planned Behavior" with food-related lifestyles. It identifies two main consumer groups: traditionalists and adventurous/healthy-conscious shoppers. The paper highlights that specialty shoppers often feel they have higher control when using a website compared to a physical store.