The pandemic has changed consumption habits

YouGov, a London-based data and analytics company, surveyed more than 19,000 consumers in 17 markets around the world to find out about their purchasing behaviors and found that 59% of them agreed that their habits purchase prices have definitely changed following the pandemic. It is in Denmark (44%), France (46 %), and Germany (47%), where consumers are more attached to the physical shopping experience, that behavior has changed the least. 

Unsurprisingly, the study shows that online shopping is on the rise. A little over 40% of those questioned indicated their intention to now use the Internet to make their purchases. This percentage is lowest in Germany (29%). 

Other important data from this study: the majority of consumers surveyed (54%) have said they would now pay more attention to sustainability in their purchasing decisions once the pandemic is over. The three markets with the lowest consumer intention in this area are all European, with only a third of Danish (33%), Swedish (34%), and German (35%) respondents saying they intend to buy in a more sustainable manner. 

The trend towards local purchases is also validated by this study. Three in five consumers (60%) across all markets say they will support local businesses and buy more local products when the pandemic is over. Topping the world ranking are India and Mexico, where a large majority of consumers plan to do so (75% and 77% respectively). Beyond supporting local businesses, consumers in these two countries are the most likely to buy more sustainable products once the crisis is over (74% each).

Regarding product categories, note that India (29%) and China (27%) are the main markets where people say they consumed more alcohol during the pandemic than elsewhere in the world. In Asia-Pacific, we notice consumers have flocked to frozen products especially in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Conversely, Cosmetics are the industry that has suffered most from this pandemic: for example, just over a third (36%) of consumers in India has reported decreased their product purchases of personal care/cosmetics, while only one-fifth increased use.