Coronavirus lockdown made consumers impulsive, intuitive, emotional
Hygiene and immunity have been the biggest concerns during the COVID-19 lockdown, and consumers have especially been receptive to any information related to these segments
- May 28, 2020,
- Updated May 29, 2020 1:36 AM IST
It is well-known that a person in crisis tends to make impulsive and intuitive decisions. The COVID-19 pandemic also brought to fore several aspects of crisis behaviour among consumers. A recent Nielsen report on consumer behaviour during the lockdown demonstrates that an average consumer's consumption decisions have been overpowered by emotional and intuitive decisions. For instance, when the country entered into a lockdown in March, there was news of shop shelves becoming empty as consumers had started hoarding essentials for a rainy day. Hoarding is a classic example of crisis behaviour when the consumer is coping with the fear of uncertainty. "During times of uncertainty and stress, a person is governed by emotions and finds it difficult to think rationally," explains Supriya Shashidhar, Executive Director, South Asia (Consumer Insights Qualitative), Nielsen.
It is well-known that a person in crisis tends to make impulsive and intuitive decisions. The COVID-19 pandemic also brought to fore several aspects of crisis behaviour among consumers. A recent Nielsen report on consumer behaviour during the lockdown demonstrates that an average consumer's consumption decisions have been overpowered by emotional and intuitive decisions. For instance, when the country entered into a lockdown in March, there was news of shop shelves becoming empty as consumers had started hoarding essentials for a rainy day. Hoarding is a classic example of crisis behaviour when the consumer is coping with the fear of uncertainty. "During times of uncertainty and stress, a person is governed by emotions and finds it difficult to think rationally," explains Supriya Shashidhar, Executive Director, South Asia (Consumer Insights Qualitative), Nielsen.