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How online shopping has changed during COVID-19

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E-commerce sales grew by 43% during 2020

Woman holding phone online shopping

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Globally, people started shopping online more, but spending less

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Online grocery shopping took off

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More consumers are switching brands

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Shoppers are testing accessories, furniture, and more with augmented reality

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Out-of-stock messages are more common

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An estimated half of all US adults made a purchase on social media in 2022

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More people who are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will soon be able to have groceries delivered to their houses. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) opened applications earlier this month for grants to an organization that will provide technology and systems support for new retailers to offer SNAP online shopping, according to Good Morning America (GMA).

Stacy Dean, the agency’s deputy undersecretary for food, nutrition and consumer services, called online grocery shopping “a vital resource that improves access and convenience for all, including low-income families.” She added that this grant has the potential to “improve customer service for SNAP participants, especially those that face barriers in traveling to a physical store.”

Most recently, Instacart announced a new partnership with Albertsons to add more online grocery shopping benefits, including delivery and pickup, to give more families access to affordable food, GMA said.

Delivery and pickup fees will

Price fluctuations as a result of algorithms have been found to increase feelings of customer betrayal.

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Price fluctuations as a result of algorithms have been found to increase feelings of customer betrayal.

Steven Puetzer/Getty Images

If you’ve shopped online recently, you may have had this experience: You find an item, add it to your cart, and then when you get around to paying, the price has increased.

You can thank pricing algorithms.

These are computer programs that look at factors such as supply, demand and the prices competitors are charging, and then adjust the price in real time. Now, there are calls for greater regulation at a time when these tactics are expected to become more common.

“A key thing about the algorithm is that given different inputs, like, say, time of day or weather or how many customers might