What makes online shopping attractive for most costumers is that it ensures they do not end up with products they do not really need, and it saves time, points out a recent survey commissioned by Ipsos Hungary and conducted by DODO, a specialist in data-driven home delivery solutions, and Tesco.

Regardless of age and place of residence, an increasing number of people are recognizing the benefits of online shopping and are regularly using this option.

According to the national, representative survey, 29% of the population buys groceries with home delivery at least monthly, and a further 15% more than once a year.

This means that 44% of Hungarians who use the internet are now online supermarket shoppers. In addition to the capital and the county seats, home delivery of groceries has also become popular in villages, with the proportion of users in small towns exceeding 41%.

In Hungary, online shopping is more popular than in Slovakia, where a similar recent survey found that 35% had ordered groceries online in the past year.

Home delivery conditions are a key factor for users when deciding from which online grocery store or supermarket to shop. For example, two thirds of respondents explicitly request to be able to choose the exact time of delivery in advance and to have the courier deliver the products they have ordered within this timeframe.

For them, this is one of the most important reasons for shopping online.

A similarly high proportion of people expect the courier to deliver their groceries to their door. Costumers cite several reasons for shopping online:

• over half of respondents save time

• a similar proportion of shoppers say that this prevents unnecessary, unplanned products from being added to their shopping basket

• one in two shoppers save on fuel or transport costs by ordering food online and having it delivered to their home

• nearly half of those surveyed say that shopping online is stress-free, allowing them to shop in a relaxed and uncluttered environment

• one in two respondents find it easier to choose the best value for money products.