The COVID-19 pandemic has upended nearly every aspect of our lives, including the way we shop and make purchases. With lockdowns and social distancing measures in place, many customers have turned to online shopping to buy the products they need. In this blog post, we will explore how COVID-19 has changed the way customers make purchases.
Increased Online Shopping
One of the most significant changes in customer purchasing behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic has been the shift towards online shopping. With brick-and-mortar stores closing or operating at reduced capacity, customers have turned to online retailers to buy the products they need.
According to a survey by McKinsey & Company, e-commerce sales grew by 10 years’ worth in just 90 days in the early stages of the pandemic. This shift towards online shopping has led to a surge in demand for products that are traditionally bought in-store, such as groceries, household goods, and personal care items. This has put pressure on online retailers to expand their product offerings and ensure that their supply chains can keep up with demand.
Contactless Payments
Another significant change in customer purchasing behavior during the pandemic has been the increased use of contactless payment methods. Customers are now more likely to use mobile payments and digital wallets to avoid touching cash and payment terminals.
According to a survey by Mastercard, contactless payments have increased by 40% since the start of the pandemic. In addition to being more hygienic, contactless payments are also more convenient for customers, as they can complete transactions quickly and easily without having to enter a PIN or sign a receipt.
To encourage the use of contactless payments, retailers have implemented measures such as increasing contactless payment limits and promoting mobile payment options. Many retailers have also started to accept digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, which allow customers to pay for purchases using their smartphones.
Focus on Safety and Hygiene
Since the start of the pandemic, customers have become more concerned about safety and hygiene when making purchases. They are more likely to choose retailers that have implemented measures to ensure the safety of their customers, such as contactless delivery and curbside pickup.
In response to these concerns, retailers have implemented a range of safety measures to protect their customers and employees. These include providing hand sanitizer, requiring customers to wear masks, and installing plexiglass barriers at checkout counters.
Retailers have also implemented contactless delivery and curbside pickup options to minimize contact between customers and employees. With contactless delivery, customers can have their purchases delivered to their doorstep without having to interact with the delivery person. With curbside pickup, customers can order online and then pick up their purchases outside the store without having to enter the store itself.
Greater Demand for Essential Items
During the pandemic, customers have been focused on buying essential items such as food, toiletries, and cleaning supplies. This has led to shortages of some products and increased demand for others.
In response to this increased demand, retailers have had to adjust their inventory and supply chain management processes. Many retailers have prioritized the delivery of essential items, while others have implemented purchase limits to prevent hoarding and ensure that everyone has access to the products they need.
The increased demand for essential items has also led to the growth of alternative purchasing channels such as subscription services and online marketplaces. Subscription services such as Amazon Subscribe & Save and Walmart’s Delivery Unlimited allow customers to receive regular deliveries of essential items without having to leave their homes. Online marketplaces such as eBay and Facebook Marketplace have also seen an increase in activity as customers look to buy and sell essential items.
More Interest in Sustainable and Local Products
The pandemic has also led to a greater interest in sustainable and local products. As customers become more aware of the environmental and social impact of their purchases, they are more likely to choose products with more thought to the long-term. We at Flitt recognise our role in helping change this change in buying behaviour, and lover that we’re part of the solution.
