The impact of covid on consumer habits continues to this day

By: Trademagazin Date: 2022. 09. 13. 11:29

The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected consumer behavior in an unprecedented way. The purpose of the research presented by Portfolio was to assess the impact of the lockdown related to the first wave of COVID on consumer behavior, with particular regard to attitudes related to local food and other food purchases and physical activity using a representative sample of 1,000 Hungarian consumers.

Panic-shopping was a common behavioural pattern

The pandemic and health crisis related to the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) fundamentally changed economic and business life and consumer habits. With the onset of the COVID-related lockdown, consumers had to redefine and transform their daily routines and lifestyles as they stayed at home for extended periods of time. Among other things, habits related to eating, shopping, dressing and exercising have changed, while the growing role of home entertainment and digital experiences has also affected social life.

In the first weeks of the pandemic, grocery retailers faced overwhelming demand coupled with panic buying, resulting in empty shelves. To reduce the risk of exposure, many consumers have switched to online shopping instead of retail stores, while many governments have introduced special shopping hours for the elderly. Restaurants mainly offered home delivery services or take-out options. Gyms and other sports facilities have also closed their doors to reduce human contact. In almost every country in the world, citizens have been allowed to play certain individual sports outdoors or take family walks, but otherwise home exercise has remained the only alternative to physical activity. Educational institutions suspended face-to-face classes and switched to online courses.

The complete material can be read in Portfolio’s article…