{
  "id": 11393516,
  "title": "Tighter Budgets Push Grocery Shoppers Online",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/tighter-budgets-push-grocery-shoppers-online",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-02T08:00:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "PYMNTS",
    "slug": "pymnts",
    "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/consumer-insights/2026/tighter-budgets-push-grocery-shoppers-online/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The latest research from PYMNTS Intelligence reveals that consumers experiencing financial strain are increasingly turning to online grocery shopping and digital wallets, despite tighter household budgets. According to a survey of 2,108 U.S. adults, those under high financial stress are 6 percentage points more likely to have made their latest grocery purchase online, at 16% compared to 10% among low-stress consumers. The report suggests that online shopping allows shoppers to calculate their total spending as they add items, providing a sense of control over their spending. Additionally, digital discounts and convenience may also contribute to the shift towards online purchases. However, the research does not definitively establish whether high-stress consumers spend more overall or shop less frequently. Walmart draws a larger share of shoppers facing financial pressure, with 56% of high-stress online grocery shoppers making their latest purchase at Walmart, compared to 50% of low-stress shoppers. For in-store groceries, the difference is also notable, with 37% of high-stress consumers choosing Walmart compared to 26% of low-stress consumers. Payment choices also reflect this trend, with 21% of high-stress consumers using a digital wallet for their latest grocery purchase, compared to 8% of low-stress consumers. Retailers and payment providers can leverage these patterns to better serve customers who need greater control over their spending.",
  "summary": "Consumers under financial pressure are buying bigger baskets and choosing value-focused merchants, giving retailers an opportunity to help shoppers make each purchase go further. That’s a central finding of “The New Checkout: Crimped Consumers Lean Into Online Retail and Digital Wallets,” a PYMNTS Intelligence report based on a survey of 2,108 U.S. adults. The research […] The post Tighter…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}