How Covid-19 is affecting online shopping behaviours

Due to lockdown and quarantining as a response to the pandemic, our daily lives have shifted entirely from the public to the private sphere. And with this move to a homebound life comes a change in our spending behaviours. Money that would normally get spent on coffees to go, meal deals and  after work drinks is now sitting in our bank accounts. Or, if we’re being honest, it’s going directly into purchases from our Amazon wish list. How has Covid-19 affected our online shopping behaviours and how is our “lunchtime pint money” getting spent?

Support your locals

#supportyourlocals is the new #treatyourself. The phrase has become the justification for spontaneous spending, especially when it comes to ordering takeaway. While restaurants are taking a hit, food delivery services such as Deliveroo and Just Eat are benefitting from the lockdown, with Just Eat reporting a 50% rise in first-quarter sales. Some independent restaurants are joining online distributors while those who cannot afford the commision fees are taking other approaches to reinvent themselves, from pick up services to meal kits and even cheese platter deliveries.

Home cooking

Not only are people treating themselves to more takeaway meals, they are also investing in home cooking and there’s a good chance you have already looked up how to make a sourdough starter. With life slowing down in quarantine, many people who are normally to busy are now finding time to cook. Google trends measured an increase in searches across the globe for cooking appliances such as waffle makers, stand mixer and even pizza ovens. With summer around the corner we can expect an increase in searches for barbecues and garden grills.

Home improvement and DIY

Quarantine is also an opportunity for people to get round to tasks and chores around the house. According to Statista online sales of home improvement products grew by almost 50% year on year. Especially popular are plants and paints, quick and easy ways to spruce up your house when you get sick of looking at the same living room every day. Sales for appliances, office furniture and entertainment electronics have also soared. It seems we are doing everything we can to make our homes more comfortable.

Sally Wijers