What COVID-19 Has Cost Consumers

What COVID-19 Has Cost Consumers

Due to COVID-19, consumers’ shopping behaviors have changed a lot. Some people have been buying fewer hair care products since the pandemic, while many have been paying more for groceries and household goods. Yet, most people are trying to spend less and seek discounts to save a little more. Now, let’s take a look at the analytics report from C+R Research, a market insights agency based in Chicago.

What Consumers Are Paying More For

85% Have been paying more for groceries since COVID-19

75% Have been paying more for household goods since COVID-19

What Americans Say They’re Paying More For

Groceries

Meat 68%

Eggs 48%

Milk 48%

Fish 45%

Fruits 37%

Rice 30%

Cheese 29%

Poultry 28%

Household Goods/Services

Cleaning Supplies 59%

Paper Products (Toilet Paper) 39%

Utilities (Electric, Gas) 33%

Personal Care/Cosmetics 33%

Apparel/Clothing 26%

Pet Supplies 21%

Housing (Rent/Mortgage) 20%

Healthcare (Prescriptions) 18%

What Americans Are Actually Paying More For

Grocery Price Increases

Beef +10.3%
Poultry +6.2%
Eggs +5.9%
Water/Soft Drinks +5.3%
Pork +5%

Household Goods Price Increases

Paper Supplies +8.9%
Appliances +6%
Flowers, Potted Plants +5.8%
Cleaning Products +5.4%
Misc. Household Products +3.6%
Changes in Price Indexes since February 2020: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)

Shopping Shortages

83% Still have difficulty finding grocery items they normally purchase

78% Still have difficulty finding household goods they normally purchase

More or Less

71% Have been buying fewer hair care products since the pandemic

61% Have been buying deodorant less often since the pandemic

Shifting Budgets

88% Are worried groceries will continue to become more expensive

85% Are worried grocery shortages will continue

65% Have cut back on their food budget since the pandemic

Weekly Grocery Budget Since Pandemic

$139 Average weekly spend on groceries since COVID-19

Changes Shoppers Have Made To Spend Less on Groceries

Eating Less Meat 43%

Seeking Discounts 38%

Eating Less Poultry 33%

Avoiding Organic Items 31%

Buying In Bulk 30%

Meal Prepping 28%

Shopping Around 26%

When Shoppers Think Prices Will Return to Pre-Pandemic Levels

Spring 2021 23%

Not Sure 22%

Summer 2021 19%

This Winter 16%

When a Vaccine is Available 10%

Winter 2021 5%

This Fall 5%

More than two out of three say they’d spend the majority of a second stimulus check on groceries and food, if one were issued

Second Wave Concerns

Costs and Shortages

87% Are worried a second wave will lead to grocery shortages

86% Are worried a second wave will lead to higher food prices

Stocking Up

31% Nearly one-third say they only have enough food stocked up to last two weeks or less

67% Feel they have enough food stocked up in case of a shortage

Eating Habits

65% Have changed their diet since the pandemic

71% Have been stress eating since the pandemic

Shopping Attitudes and Habits

77% Believe grocery shopping will change permanently due to COVID-19

75% Feel “uncomfortable” when shopping at a grocery store

59% Have used grocery delivery or pick-up for the first time since COVID-19

46% Won’t shop at a store that doesn’t have a mask policy