PR 2022, How Has The Pandemic Impacted Consumers?
OVERVIEW
Consumers play a pivoting role in the growth of the economy. Covid-19 subdued the global movements for many individuals across the world, from their norms of socialization right down to the basis of shopping. How has the pandemic impacted consumers, and what is the new norm for 2022?
THE CHANGE
In March 2020 Covid-19 made its entrance, into the global economy. The shopping behavior of consumers made pitched alongside the pandemic as well. In the earlier weeks of March 12, 1 in 4 consumers declared that their buying habits were impacted by the emerging pandemic, following an additional of 1 in 6 the following week, making the same implications. Many consumers complained of the drastic transition they were forced to make, moving from interface shopping to shopping online.
Several insurmountable issues were caused as a result of the Pandemic impacting consumers, a few of these were as followed.
Product Shortage
Product shortage is one of the most prevalent factors many purchasers were tasked with. The cause and effect of such behavior stemmed from the panic demands of shoppers purchasing an influx amount of goods. Business owners now have an increase in the demand for product supplies to be met. However on the backhand of things consumers tend to hoard more than needed, causing a ripple effect of shortage of essentials readily available on the market.
There were logistics issues as manufacturers especially overseas found it hard to keep up with global demand as they were also faced with business closures, short staff, and lack of raw material to complete their product line for delivery for the same reasons.
A Great Loss
The effects of the pandemic caused a rampant number of business closures, consumers, as well as retailers, were forced to either hold off on purchasing goods and non-essential services. In light of the 2021 period with new measures of protocols to follow, consumers complained of the restrictions of social movements and activities. Businesses and employees were faced with the fast diminishing practice of face-to-face consumers. Those who were adaptable to the paradigm shift in the marketplace could see themselves into recovery mode as the months of the pandemic progressed.
Emotional effects
To say the journey was hard is not enough. There was an influx of emotional reactions to the entire experience. This resulted in fear of the impact the effects would cost businesses and consumers. Concerns about one’s health being at risk, especially for those who are challenged with underline factors/ conditions being threatened by exposure to the virus Covid-19 for them and their loved ones.
Loss of Freedom caused anxiety amongst the populace. Based on restrictions towards social habits, protocols, and new code of conduct issued by health organizations and Government bodies in keeping safe. There is no doubt that the Pandemic has caused an impact on society namely consumers, whether their shopping habits, lack of movement, or financial restrictions due to job loss or work time reduction. Surveys have proven the rapid decline of consumers trending habits in the given year from March 2020 to the present 2021, no surprise with this change the digital era has become the custom forum where consumers now have the option of getting services rendered online by a variety of retailers, and products as well.
CONCLUSION
A few concerns cited by consumers are related to the financial effects. Many consumers are concerned about the security and well-being of their jobs. With the overturn of the economy, there has been a great shift in How the pandemic has impacted both businesses and consumers. Many businesses who depended on face-to-face interactions and now tasked with facing the reality of meeting their consumers where they are. It is safe to say that Public Relations for 2022 will be a new norm of how we approach and navigate business as usual with most activity now turned to the virtual marketplace.
https://www.numerator.com/resources/blog/impact-covid-19-consumer-behavior- reference/citations
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