A survey by Accenture reveals COVID-19 is likely to alter consumer behaviours permanently and cause lasting structural changes to the consumer goods and retail industries. Accenture surveyed more than 3,000 consumers in 15 countries across five continents. It spoke to consumers in Australia, Brazil, China, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Spain, the UAE, UK and US in early April.

It found consumers have already begun shifting their purchasing priorities. For instance, overall they said they were buying more personal hygiene and cleaning products, as well as canned and fresh foods than they had been two weeks prior. But they were buying purchasing fewer fashion, beauty and consumer electronics

More importantly, the findings indicate that many of the changes in consumer behaviour are likely to continue long after the pandemic. In addition, the crisis is also causing consumers to more seriously consider the health and environmental impacts of their shopping choices”.

It found 60 per cent of respondents are spending more time on self-care and mental well-being. And 64 per cent said they’re focusing more on limiting food waste and will likely continue to do so after the crisis eases. Exactly half are shopping more health-consciously and will likely to continue to do so and 45 per cent said they’re making more sustainable choices when shopping, behaviour that should carry on as before.

The survey also found the pandemic is causing more people to shop online. It said that 32 per cent of consumers’ current purchases of all products and services have been one by necessity, but that figure is expected to rise to 37per cent going forward.

The shift is very noticeable in the area of groceries as this was one segment that had a lower rate of online penetration than other consumer goods. But the pandemic has forced people to overcome that reluctance and this should have a much wider impact on e-shopping generally.