The number of traditional supermarkets will decline by 25 percent from 2016 to 2021, according to a new study.
At the other end of the spectrum, meanwhile, eCommerce sales are expected to increase by 25 percent each of those five years.
In 2021, about 19,132 traditional stores will be in operation, down from 25,380 in 2016, according to “2017 Future of Food Retailing,” a report by Long Grove, Illinois-based Inmar Willard Bishop Analytics.
The biggest percentage increase in the grocery category will be seen in fresh format, which could jump 48%, from 1,547 to 2,290 stores, according to the report. Store counts also are expected to be up significantly for super warehouses (30 percent), dollar stores (25 percent) and limited assortment stores (21 percent).
The number of supercenters could jump 11%, from 4,106 to 4,560. Wholesale club stores could total 1,613, up 9.6 percent from 1,472 in 2016, according to the report.
While eCommerce sales are expected to grow at an annual rate of 25 percent, limited assortment is set to grow 8 percent, fresh format 4.8 percent, super warehouse 4.5 percent, supercenter 3.1 percent, dollar 3 percent and wholesale club 3 percent.
Traditional supermarket sales are expected to decline .3% annually through 2021.