From the initial toilet roll craze to the endless lounge-wear hauls, COVID-19 has created some surprising consumer trends over the past year and a bit. As we approach the end of 2021, we have become far too familiar with the pandemic and all its drama. We can rest assured that the world will not suffer a shortage of loo-roll and we no longer require 7 pairs of matching, fluffy sets in our wardrobes (one for each day of the week.) However, there are a few shopping trends that have proven to be particularly appealing to #2021Customers and seem to be coming with us into the new year.
Outdoor activities
After a long string of lockdowns, it’s no surprise that we’ve decided to take matters into our own hands when it comes to entertainment. Money once spent on espresso martinis is being used for dry-robes, canoes, and bikes. Call it trust issues, but with the bars nothing but a distant memory at one point, outdoor activities flourished and have continued to do so ever since. Although the pubs may now be back open, the great-outdoors trend doesn’t seem to be budging. Morning swims are sitting firmly in the wake-up routines of those lucky enough to be in distance of water. This means that we can expect to see cash being splashed on active wear and gear for the foreseeable.
Online Shopping
Online shopping has been on the rise for a few years now and since COVID, it seems to be the way forward. According to research carried out by CallCare 247, 61.28% of #2021Customers have said they plan to shop online instead of instore for all-items. Whether its the lack of queues, lack of effort or simply the lack of people, there’s something about this shopping trend that has secured its place post-COVID. Besides, online shopping has been a convenient way to find something that you want to purchase – may it be a pair of jeans, sneakers, or cool t-shirts.
The End of Spontaneous Buys
The demise of in-person shopping has also contributed a cut in spontaneous shopping. With no queues to wait in, it’s hard to pick up a few un-essential bits to fill those restless hands. Furthermore, when it comes to shopping from home, time and Google are at the customer’s disposal. This means that many people are delving deep in research before filling up their cart. Online magazines and reviews are proving more useful than ever for those who are in-between minds.
The Importance of Quality Customer Service
Lastly, customer service has always been an important factor in customer choices, but according to the research carried out by CallCare, the standard of customer service in the retail industry was “consistently ranked as one of the best by the majority of our 800 respondents, finishing just behind healthcare.” In adapting to the pandemic, many brands have focussed on modernizing and improving their customer service. Therefore, the expectations for quality customer service has grown. Soon enough, service with a smile will be nothing but a standard part of the customer’s shopping experience.
That concludes the shopping trends that #2021Customers will be bringing with them into 2022. Although toilet-roll stacking and fluffy sets have been brought to an end, we are happy to confirm that wholesome activities, queue-less shopping, mindful spending and pleasant experiences are set to stay!
