Consumer Behavior

Research: Coronavirus concerns spurring consumer behavior, buying decisions

Photo by istock.com

July 21, 2020

The key focus for grocery consumers is a safe in-store experience given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and shoppers are most concerned about shopping in crowded aisles and standing on checkout lines.

Those findings, from a Service Management Group study of 6,400 respondents, illustrate the coronavirus is a prime driver of consumer behavior, expectation and shopping habits.

In fact, if a consumer doesn't feel safe while shopping, nearly one in four won't return to that particular grocery store and 62% cited they feel unsafe due to other customer behaviors, such as not wearing a mask or proper social distancing, according to a press release on the findings.

When it comes to spending, consumers are doing less cross-shopping and spending more, with 60% polled stating they are visiting few grocery stores as compared to time before the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early spring.

"In our research across industries, consumers continue to tell us they are prioritizing health and safety," Paul Tiedt, SMG Senior Vice President of Research said in the release. "Winning brands are not only providing a safe and clean shopping experience, they're proactively communicating health and safety standards, training staff to demonstrate cleanliness and redefining operational best practices."