While in the spring, so-called panic purchases were common, when the number of shoppers increased sharply in tens of minutes, the operation in stores is currently at a normal level. “Customers have understood that there are no risks of supply disruptions and retail chains are able to meet demand,” said Tomáš Prouza, President of the Trade and Tourism Association of the Czech Republic.
–
“Despite the government’s chaotic steps, people have begun to think about how to reduce risks and act more responsibly. What makes no sense at all and goes against the effort to reduce social contacts was the ban on sales on Sunday and the mandatory closing at eight o’clock in the evening, “stated the president of the union.
–
Another trend is that people stop spending and accelerates the growth of deposits in banks. “It is understandable when people see ambiguous communication between the government, where one minister denies the promises of another. That’s why people automatically start preparing for the worst-case scenarios, “added Prouza.
–
The percentage of income that households currently save rose to an unprecedented 18.5 percent in the quarter, the highest in the history of the Czech Republic. “From a people’s point of view, it’s logical, from an economic point of view, it’s a huge problem. At a time when it is not being spent and invested, stores have no one to sell to, demand from manufacturers is falling. The chain loops quickly and this leads to big problems, “he added.
–
Five major trends have changed
Nielsen’s research revealed five major trends in consumer behavior that have changed dramatically as a result of the pandemic.
–
“While we used to talk about the fact that consumers are mainly looking for innovation and uniqueness, since the beginning of the pandemic, a strong emphasis on health and security of basic domestic operation has prevailed,” said Karel Týra, executive director of Nielsen research company in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
–
“Home has often become an office, school, restaurant, gym for us within a few weeks,” he added.
–
Another change is that while in the past people preferred different stores for different needs, now instead people prefer to visit large stores with a wide range.
–
Before the pandemic, people went shopping smaller and more often. According to the survey, they are currently making larger and less frequent purchases.
–
“Before the pandemic, we also saw a trend of growing internet sales and spending and consumption away from home. Of course, sales via the Internet accelerated significantly in a pandemic, but all spending and consumption away from home are facing massive declines, “Týra described another current trend in the behavior of shoppers.
–
While before the pandemic, a large proportion of consumers preferred so-called premium brands, according to the survey, the search for the highest possible value for as little money as possible is now gaining ground.
–
Prouza initially recalled some of the costs for retailers in trying to protect customers and employees. In total, it is 4.8 billion crowns. The union calculated that a total of 291 thousand liters of disinfection were consumed and 12.4 million gloves were distributed. The total length of the plexiglass at the cash registers is 8.3 kilometers, and the length of a row of disinfected trolleys is 284 kilometers.
–
According to current measures, most stores and service establishments had to close. This affected, for example, clothing and footwear stores, stationery stores, electronics stores, toy stores or hairdressers. Exceptions to this ban are grocery stores, pharmacies, drugstores, funeral homes, but also animal feed stores, hardware stores, household goods stores, haberdashery and florists.
–
As part of other stricter measures, the government banned Sunday sales and sales after eight o’clock in stores and establishments that have the aforementioned exceptions. This was criticized, among others, by SOCR CR.
—
