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.
85% Have been paying more for groceries since COVID-19
75% Have been paying more for household goods since COVID-19
Meat 68%
Eggs 48%
Milk 48%
Fish 45%
Fruits 37%
Rice 30%
Cheese 29%
Poultry 28%
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%
Beef +10.3%
Poultry +6.2%
Eggs +5.9%
Water/Soft Drinks +5.3%
Pork +5%
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)
83% Still have difficulty finding grocery items they normally purchase
78% Still have difficulty finding household goods they normally purchase
71% Have been buying fewer hair care products since the pandemic
61% Have been buying deodorant less often since the pandemic
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
$139 Average weekly spend on groceries since COVID-19
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%
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
87% Are worried a second wave will lead to grocery shortages
86% Are worried a second wave will lead to higher food prices
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
65% Have changed their diet since the pandemic
71% Have been stress eating since the pandemic
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