Research reveals how Americans expect to change their buying habits due to COVID-19

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Some 85% of Americans expect their shopping behavior to change due to the novel Coronavirus (also known as COVID-19) pandemic, according to new statistics.

Findings from the market research institute GfK have revealed that 67% of Americans are concerned about their ability to make ends meet during the health crisis and that the majority expect their purchasing habits to change.

Anticipated adjustments include preparing food more often, shopping during non-peak hours, shopping more online and postponing or cancelling personal service appointments. Consumers interviewed also said that over the coming weeks they expected to prioritize spending less on things like clothes and toys, and more on “essentials” like cleaning products, canned goods and bottled water.

The figures indicate that 70% of Americans are currently practicing some form of social distancing, while 36% of those surveyed said they were stocking up on non-perishable food items, and 42% said they were using hand sanitizer regularly.

The research, which was conducted from March 17 to 18, also showed that the manner in which individual companies handle the crisis could affect consumer loyalty in the long run. Approximately three quarters (73%) of those surveyed said that the way companies conduct themselves during the pandemic would impact whether they do business with them in the future. JB

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