Few events affected Americans’ shopping habits as swiftly and profoundly as COVID-19. In the earliest days of the global pandemic, consumers rushed to stock up on pantry items, cleaning supplies and medicines. Retailers accelerated plans to provide easy online ordering, more robust apps, faster delivery, and access to curbside pickup.
Customers who had never shopped online abandoned their prior misgivings after lockdowns were implemented. Customers already accustomed to online....