Current global trends are shifting. We live in a world where informed shopping has become a protective measure. With a worldwide pandemic, anticipations of new COVID-19 waves, our ongoing health concerns, and ever-changing eating habits, it is only fair to say that we must slowly switch to keeping ourselves more informed. And now, with the limited time we can spend outside, gone are the days of going out to the mall when you are bored or grocery shopping randomly. Instore limitations are causing us to become more strategic about how and where we shop. 

A few things lead to informed shopping within the world of food - current global trends, purchasing influencers, news articles, research articles, and personal beliefs. These are a few driving factors that determine how consumers choose what they want and don't want to buy. Current global trends can be new foods or diets that arise to help consumers stay healthy. Purchasing influencers may be influencers or individuals we see on social media platforms. News articles and research articles may indicate scientific and proven facts for certain foods that can positively or negatively affect our buying decision-making process. Lastly, personal beliefs are how we perceive products and the way they affect us individually.

But what about need? Although necessity may not be significantly discussed when selecting foods, it could be a factor when eliminating certain products, such as dietary exclusions like peanuts or gluten. One tool that informed shoppers can use to balance their wants and needs is access to online shopping. Informed purchasers typically use a combination of details and considerations when making a purchase. Having access to online shopping narrows many of those down—because individuals can Google products and learn more about businesses while having access to a company's mission statement and their product reviews all within a few clicks.

Over the years, we have seen buyers transition from making small purchases to getting almost everything they want and need online. What started with small electronics like phone charging cables has become weekly grocery hauls, online shopping has changed how people operate globally. How is this affected by informed shopping? It is both positive and negative for shoppers. Sometimes it isn't easy finding products that fit your needs if you have not purchased it before or if there are not enough positive reviews to persuade you. 

What are some ways to be informed besides product reviews or having others vouch for the products? One straightforward way is to research the company that is selling the products. In 2020, if a business does not have a website, it may cause red flags, but if they do have a website, it should be updated regularly to keep customers informed. Most companies spend a lot of time to ensure their website is up to date to provide a positive user experience.

We will use the DirectFood.Store website as an example of how companies can provide credibility for new shoppers. They understand that customers want to learn about businesses they are not familiar with and how they operate. When accessing the DirectFood.Store site, there is a 'Farm Directory' showcasing all of the local farms that have partnered with the platform. Suppose a new shopper is not familiar with DirectFood.Store. They can browse through the directory and quickly find a local farm they frequently purchase from, building credibility for the retailer and trust for the consumer.

Other ways are to browse through company blogs to see a company's vision. At DirectFood.Store there are various blog post topics and other written pieces that keep readers coming back for more! There are countless ways to stay informed from recipes, blogs, farm stories, and vendor stories. Even if you aren't a frequent purchaser, you can still be a regular reader!

So how does informed shopping fit into your life? With current trends and how the world has evolved, it most likely already has to some degree. Instead of going to grocery stores, we can check out our options online and see what can be offered to us. DirectFood.store provides perks like free delivery straight to the door and fresh, local and organic ingredients you can't readily find in a regular grocery store. The options are endless, and we can do our research on the spot instead of living in a world of trial and error.