As featured in Storebrands, a new survey by Oracle Grocery Retail finds more shoppers exploring private brands amid COVID-19 and expects the trend to continue beyond the pandemic.

Oracle recently rolled out technology with FoodChain ID and its HorizonScan that aids retailers in finding food safety risks within their private brand food products.

The survey looked at recent shopper behavior trends around private label buying, online shopping, stockpiling, and more.

Thanks to product shortages on shelves early in the pandemic and creeping back in, Oracle found 86% of US shoppers (82% of 5,143 global shoppers) surveyed said they had bought and explored a new store brand alternative recently. The study added that 32% of respondents "intend to stick with the store brands."

The surge in private label purchases has become the unexpected silver lining of COVID-19 for grocers. Mike Webster, SVP, general manager, Oracle Retail

Additionally, 34% said they will shop a mix of new finds and preferred brands going forward and only 20% will go back to their preferred brands.