Last updated on September 19th, 2022
Jacksonville, Florida-based Acosta has released its sixth research report providing insight into the continuing evolution of consumer behavior and outlook amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The report, which found working from home may continue for an extended period of time, also provides recommendations to help retailers prepare for post-COVID-19 shelf recovery. 
“Nearly three months into this crisis, many states are beginning to open back up, but most shoppers expect to continue to work from home until at least the fall,” said Darian Pickett, CEO of Acosta. “Working from home has greatly impacted what, when and how much people are eating throughout the day, which in turn affects their shopping and purchasing behavior. This will have major implications on manufacturers and retailers who will need to sustain current shopping behaviors for at least a few more months.”
Acosta’s sixth COVID-19 research report, gathered via online surveys conducted between May 15 and 20, provides insight into consumer behavior such as priorities, concerns and projections, including:
A look ahead
Sixty-six percent of shoppers think a recession will hit the U.S. by the end of 2020, and 42 percent believe a recession would last more than a year.
While many states are reopening, 57 percent of working shoppers have worked from home full-time since the pandemic began.
Twenty-six percent of shoppers expect to return to their workplace in July; another 26 percent don’t expect to return until October; 14 percent of shoppers expect to return to their workplace by the end of the year; and 34 percent of shoppers either expect to work from home indefinitely or are unsure when they’ll return.
Local brands gaining popularity
Twenty-four percent of shoppers are buying more U.S.-made products, while 17 percent are buying more local brands.
Among shoppers buying more local brands, 42 percent specifically wanted to support more local businesses and brands now, and 69 percent may consider buying more local brands post-pandemic.
Decrease in product variety
Shoppers continue to notice a decrease in product variety, and 90 percent are bothered by it.
More than one-third of shoppers feel anxious or stressed when they cannot get what was always available pre-pandemic.
Sixty-nine percent of shoppers are noticing a decrease in the variety of non-food products available; 60 percent are noticing less variety in meat and seafood; and 52 percent are noticing fewer options for shelf-stable foods.
Acosta’s report on consumer behavior also includes comparison data from online surveys conducted between May 3 and 5, April 17 and 23, April 3 and 7, March 20 and 29 and March 6 and 12. To access the full report, visit acosta.com/news.
Acosta will continue to conduct research and will share updated data and recommendations for retailers and manufacturers on how to best meet consumers’ needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Acosta provides a range of outsourced sales, marketing and retail merchandising services throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe.
For a story on the company’s fifth round of research, click here.
