Australia's coffee consumption habits have shifted with the COVID-19 lockdown, according to Nielsen Consumer Insight, reporting the latest omnichannel data from Uno Group.
The number of trips to coffee shops dropped by 39% in the four weeks to April 7 compared to the preview month.
And households spent 37% more on coffee from the supermarket over the same time.
One-in-two (53%) Australians visited a coffee shop or cafe at least once a month in 2019.
"It appears that some Aussie consumers may be missing their local barista," says Sarah Deas, director for Nielsen Retailer Services.
"Our research has revealed that the significant increase in supermarket coffee sales has been driven by more premium coffee options including coffee beans and ground coffee.”
Households under 35 years old without children are the group most likely to have increased their spend on coffee during this period, particularly for premium instant coffee, ground coffee and coffee beans.
The shift in coffee consumption is an example of how consumer behaviour during the pandemic has influenced strong growth in specific grocery categories as Australians spend more time eating and drinking at home.
Survey data from Nielsen’s Global Consumer Sentiment Report revealed 28% of Australians who use food delivery services are now using them much less frequently; while 40% say they are eating at home more often.
“In recent weeks, we have seen a number of pantry categories experience very strong growth -- such as Asian and Indian cooking ingredients -- indicating that for some, cooking is replacing the Friday night takeaway," says Deas.
“For manufacturers and retailers, it has never been more important to understand how consumers are switching their spending across the supermarket.
"Applying the coffee example more broadly, there is scope to premiumise, with many consumers looking for little luxuries during these uncertain times."
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