A new survey carried out by a national retailer has revealed changes in shopping habits and behaviours during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown.
The ‘Lockdown Survey’ was carried out by Central England Co-op with over 300 of its Members, customers and colleagues to capture how they were feeling about the lockdown and to assess any changes in behaviour and shopping habits during these uncertain times.
Today, the retailer can reveal what the survey shows about how the way we shop has changed as a result of the lockdown.
The survey shows that customers preference during the lockdown was to visit local convenience stores (77% said they used these stores) ahead of supermarkets (69%) and online (30%).
Reasons given for this preference for local convenience stores included that people found them to have shorter queues and they were within walking distance, which was important as people looked to use cars less due to Government guidance.
Basic essentials such as bread, milk, fruit and vegetables were products that respondents said they purchased more often during the lockdown shopping trips, as well as alcohol, potentially as a result of pubs being closed.
Items being bought less often included ready meals, meat, crisps and sweet treats such as cakes, chocolate and sweets.
63% of those surveyed said they shopped in store less frequently in response to the lockdown, with the majority (33%) shopping once a week. However, 48% said they had been spending more during their grocery trips.
Unsurprisingly where cleanliness and hygiene have been priorities during the outbreak, the survey showed that customers were buying more cleaning products.
Those surveyed also highlighted whether a product was anti-bacterial as the most important aspect of their cleaning product purchase, followed by value for money and whether it was eco-friendly trailing in third.
Sita Chauhan, Customer Experience and Insights Manager at Central England Co-op, said, “We were keen to talk to our Members, customers and colleagues to see what we could learn about their changes in shopping behaviours during this unprecedented period to help us understand their changing needs and requirements as we all adapt the ‘new normal.
“The survey has highlighted some really interesting trends and changes to the way we have been shopping and what we have been buying in these uncertain times and offers us some really useful insights which can help in our understanding as we look at our offer in store moving forwards.”