“Safety-first consumer” mindset emerging, study finds
“Feeling safe in stores” is ranked as the top one factor in determining where consumers will shop.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exponentially accelerated the shifts in consumer preferences, leading to the creation of the “safety-first consumer”, according to new research from consumer and location intelligence specialist CACI.
The survey, which had 1,000 respondents, revealed that working circumstances have changed for 80% of consumers, with 24% having reduced disposable income.
“Feeling safe in stores” is ranked as the top one factor in determining where consumers will shop, with more than half (51%) planning to spend more in stores on groceries as the lockdown eases, whilst 20% and 30% are intending to increase their spending on entertainment and fashion respectively.
57% of consumers will shop more online, with 43% spending more in physical stores. 44% of consumers will walk more, whilst 6% will use their cars more regularly - with greater intended car usage particularly prevalent amongst 25 to 34 year olds.
Public transport is seen to suffer, with 31% saying they will use trains less frequently, 33% travelling less often on buses, and 36% conducting fewer Tube journeys.
“Regardless of age, geography or financial position, consumers will be making more informed choices about how they work, live and spend, with safety, localism and personal need being the key drivers of decisions. All the indications are these are long-term shifts in the national psyche, with the findings giving us a very clear idea of what the new reality will look like,” CACI director Alex McCulloch said.
