Consumer behaviour during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 pandemic poses a significant threat in area of public health. In the light of dynamic increase of infections European countries decided to implement special safety measures in order to stop spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Reduction of the activity of shopping galleries, grocery stores and gastronomy directly impacted the change of consumer behaviours.

Objective: The aim of this research was the analysis of consumer behaviour during COVID-19 pandemic regarding the use of gastronomical services, grocery shopping and undertaken safety measures.

Material and methods: The main instrument was original survey conducted on-line in November 2020. The form consisted of metrics and close-ended questions about consumer behaviour during COVID-19 pandemic. 1080 respondents took part in the study (females - 850; men - 230). Results were mapped out in Statistics 13.1 program and graphical representation was prepared in Microsoft Excel.

Results: More than half of respondents were working people (n=629; 58%). Vast majority of working respondents during the study were working stationary (n=304; 48%), while remotely only 33% (n=208). Among young respondents almost half of the group was unemployed (n=158; 45%), while the rest of the group was employed (n=195; 55%). Professional activities in the group of respondents that were still learning was mostly stationary/ physic (n=57; 29%). During the pandemic the stationary form of working switched into remote in every third of respondent (n=307; 28%).

Conclusions: Global pandemic of COVID-19 forced people to change their current behaviours - both consumer and social. Consumers are aware of risks borne by SARS-CoV-2 infection, which may be concluded from undertaken safety measures.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; consumer behavior; gastronomy; pandemic.