What impact is the coronavirus having on consumer purchase decisions and behavior? The one segment the pandemic has affected the most is millennials, according to newly concluded research from First Insight, a digital product testing and decision-making platform. “As the coronavirus continues to impact our economy, millennials are emerging as the most concerned generation,” said Greg Petro, CEO of Warrendale, PA-based First Insight, in a statement. “While most consumers are worried about the virus’ overall impact, the behavior of millennials is changing more dramatically than any other generation – they are cutting their spending, stocking up on groceries, using public transportation less and staying indoors,” he said. Here are the key findings by consumer sentiment and the economy, impact on purchase decisions and spending and impact on consumer behavior: Consumer sentiment and the economy The majority of consumers in the United States (66 percent) are worried about the coronavirus spread
- More women (71 percent) than men (60 percent)
- Baby boomers (72 percent) and Gen Z (73 percent) are worried, however, the majority of millennials (61 percent) and Generation X (56 percent) are also concerned
- 95 percent of women and 91 percent of men say that the coronavirus will impact the economy
- 95 percent of baby boomers, 92 percent of Gen X, 90 percent of Gen Z, 92 percent of millennials say that the coronavirus will impact the economy
- More men (47 percent) versus women (41 percent) say it has impacted their purchase decisions
- More millennials (54 percent) say the coronavirus has impacted their purchase decisions, versus only 33 percent of baby boomers, 42 percent of Gen X and 49 percent of Gen Z
- More men (38 percent) than women (33 percent)
- Younger generations are being impacted the most (37 percent of Gen X, 38 percent of Gen Z and 39 percent of millennials, versus only 26 percent of baby boomers)
- More men (32 percent) than women (25 percent)
- 19 percent of baby boomers, 29 percent of Gen X, 28 percent of Gen Z and 36 percent of millennials
- Slightly more women (35 percent) than men (34 percent) have cut back on spending
- 40 percent of millennials and 41 percent Gen Z say they have cut back on spending, compared to 23 percent of baby boomers and 36 percent of Gen X
- More men (24 percent) versus women (20 percent)
- More millennials (34 percent) versus 25 percent of Gen Z, 18 percent of Gen X and 12 percent of baby boomers say they are buying more products in anticipation of the spread of the coronavirus
- Men are buying more than women: Men - grocery 22 percent, personal care items 14 percent, health and household products both 13 percent and beauty products 7 percent; Women - grocery 17 percent, household and personal care items both 13 percent, health 11 percent and beauty 6 percent
- Millennials are buying the most: 30 percent saying they are buying grocery (the highest percentage)
- More men (36 percent) than women (28 percent)
- 21 percent of baby boomers, 33 percent of Gen X, 31 percent of Gen Z and 44 percent of millennials
- More men (40 percent) than women (34 percent)
- 24 percent of baby boomers, 34 percent of Gen X, 41 percent of Gen Z and 48 percent of millennials
- Slightly more women (30 percent) than men (29 percent) are shopping less frequently in-store
- More millennials (39 percent) versus other generations are shopping less frequently in-store (compared to 36 percent of Gen Z, 25 percent of Gen X and 22 percent of baby boomers)
- More men (24 percent) versus women (18 percent) are shopping more frequently online
- Millennials (30 percent) are shopping more frequently online (compared to 24 percent of Gen Z, 20 percent of Gen X and 8 percent of baby boomers)
- Men vs. women:
- BOPIS: 28 percent women, 31 percent male
- Subscription services: 16 percent women, 18 percent men
- Curbside pickup: 16 percent women, 22 percent men
- Autoship: 14 percent women, 12 percent men
- By generation:
- BOPIS: Baby boomers 20 percent, Gen X 28 percent, Gen Z 47 percent and millennials 22 percent
- Subscription services: 8 percent baby boomers, 19 percent Gen X, 19 percent Gen Z, 23 percent millennials
- Curbside pickup: 13 percent baby boomers, 13 percent Gen X, 22 percent Gen Z and 30 percent millennials
- More men (50 percent) than women (48 percent)
- More millennials (52 percent) say they are concerned compared to 42 percent of baby boomers, 47 percent of Gen X and 51 percent of Gen Z
- More men (31 percent) versus women (20 percent)
- 17 percent of baby boomers, 24 percent of Gen X, 33 percent of Gen Z and 27 percent of millennials
- Slightly more men (38 percent) than women (37 percent)
- 28 percent of baby boomers, 37 percent of Gen X, 41 percent of Gen Z and 46 percent of millennials
- More men (43 percent) than women (38 percent)
- More millennials (50 percent) and Gen Z (48 percent) than baby boomers (27 percent) and Gen X (38 percent)
· Baby boomer (1946-1964) | · 29 percent |
· Generation X (1965-1979) | · 21 percent |
· Generation Z (1995-2012) | · 22 percent |
· Millennials (1980-1994) | · 21 percent |
· Silent generation (1928-1945) | · 7 percent |