Changing Behaviours in 2020 leads to consumers embracing Digital, Health and Sustainability Trends: PwC

10 July 2020: The recent PwC survey results reveal that the pandemic and the ensuing social distancing measures put in place have led to fundamental changes in how consumers work, eat, communicate, and take care of their health.

The acceleration of consumer trends and behavior that was already underway prior to the COVID-19 outbreak will spark consumer-facing companies and retailers to reinvent the way they do business, according to the PwC report, based on the findings from two surveys taken before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The PwC’s 11th consecutive Global Consumer Insights Survey focuses on urban consumer purchasing habits and behaviours, and how global disruption has forced the acceleration of a more digital way of life. Social distancing measures put in place because of the coronavirus have affected consumers in all aspects of life, including how they purchase groceries.

While in-store grocery shopping is the main channel of choice, over a third of consumers (35%) are now buying food online, with 86% of those who shop online planning to continue after social distancing measures are removed. For non-food items, prior to the pandemic in-store shopping was still dominant compared to online shopping with 47% of consumers saying they shopped at brick-and-mortar stores daily or weekly compared to shopping via mobile phones (30%), computers (28%) and smart voice assistants (15%).

In survey results taken prior to the pandemic, 45% of the global respondents said they avoid the use of plastic whenever possible, 43% expect businesses to be accountable for their environmental impact, and 41% expect retailers to eliminate plastic bags and packaging for perishable items.

www.pwc.com/consumerinsights