Consumer Closeness
in the Age of Social Distancing

Week of 3/30: Lifestyle & Eating Habits

While feelings of stress and worry have not gone away, some are looking on the bright side more compared to last week

%

Stressed/worried ?

%

Optimistic ?

%

Relaxed ?‍♀️

%

Peaceful ?

%

Anxious ?

%

Increase in overall positive emotions, compared to prior week

Many are finding new ways to stay busy, and in the process, stumbling into hobbies or routines they plan to stick to even after social isolation is lifted

New Routines

“I’m trying to have a routine and make sure my kids keep studying.”

“Stay away from news, keep in touch with friends, keep a routine.”

“I’m just trying to maintain a basic schedule and routine for myself.”

Outdoor Activity

“Started raising chickens and gardening.”

“We’ve been going on more walks and bike rides so I would like to continue doing that.”

“Taking my son hiking since we can’t go to playgrounds. It’s great exercise for both of us and good experience “

“We are walking 4 to 6 miles a day. We will want to keep this going as long as we can.”

Creativity

“I’m practicing guitar more.”

“Learning new hobbies such as playing the ukelele.”

“I’ve starting penning some stories, and think that I should keep doing that. I also make music with my violin if I am really bored.”

DIY Projects

“I’ve done some remodeling of a bedroom downstairs.”

“I taught myself how to make bread, hand sanitizer and homemade vanilla and will continue to make these items even afterwards.”

Connecting with loved ones

“Playing a lot more board games with the 11 year old and he seems to be enjoying it a lot more now than he did before so I think we will continue to do that.”

“My kids and I are playing lots of games and doing puzzles, etc. “

“Have reconnected with people I’ve known from the past. Going to get together when the crisis is done.”

Relaxation, Health

“I’ve been making sure to include rituals that bring me peace such as coffee making and reading. I hope to continue this even after the pandemic is over.”

“Doing more yoga than usual. Reading some of my old favorites.”

“I’m also doing much more at-home cardio to keep my body moving even with my limited workspace. Doing these health-related activities helps to keep my mind occupied and builds confidence.”

Those with children in the house are quickly learning to find new ways to keep the kids occupied and entertained. Top ways include…

%

Letting them watch TV ?

%

Making them read books ?

%

Online learning activities ?

%

Homeschooling ?‍?

%

Taking them for walks ?‍♀️

While most are more comfortable cooking than ordering in, many are changing how they grocery shop during this time

To take-out or not to take-out?

…For many the answer is ‘not’

%

are more comfortable grocery shopping / cooking at home vs. ordering from restaurants

Definitely still open to ordering in from restaurants 29% 29%
Hesitant to order in, but I’d consider it 43% 43%
Probably would not order food right now 27% 27%

To stock up or not to stock up?

While ‘stocking up’ has negative connotations for some, many are aligned to limit grocery trips during this time – as a result, diffferent products are making their way into shoppers’ baskets.

Stocking is essential at this time 20% 20%
Stocking is somewhat important at this time 47% 47%
Stocking is not that important at this time 12% 12%
Stocking at this time is wrong and only increases panic 22% 22%

%

Are shopping for essentials LESS often

%

Have purchased new grocery brands / products & will continue to purchase

Where to shop?

%

are grocery shopping online MORE

Top online grocery retailers currently being used include…

#1

#2

#3

#4

For in-store grocery shopping, Walmart is the top retailer Americans told us they’re visiting

While some express disappointment with out-of-stocks, the majority of shoppers call out positive experiences in-store, appreciating Walmart:

Keeping prices low?
Ensuring stores are clean and sanitized?
Modifying store hours and adding “senior hours”?
Keeping essentials stocked , limiting purchases ?
Adding line markers for social distancing ✋

In addition to changing how they shop, many have also changed consumption habits - for better or for worse

%

Say their eating habits have changed

Stress, anxiety & financial status all play a role in how these diet changes manifest

Aside from food, some have also increaed consumption of alcohol and legal cannabis products – coping with boredom, stress, or a bit of both

%

Of legal drinkers are drinking more alcohol

%

Of legal cannabis users are using more

Want to catch up on last week’s results? Click here.

The transition to working from home is a big change for many over the past few weeks - while most are now set up with the technology they need, some are still struggling with establishing productivity and work-life balance

%

Are now working from home ? (among those who are working)

Workers are split on the impact to productivity

Say their productivity has increased 24% 24%
Say productivity has remained the same 53% 53%
Say their productivity has decreased 23% 23%

“I work probably more since there isn’t such a work/life balance with it all being from home.”

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“I’m taking breaks from work to go walking outside during the day, and I would like to continue this even when I return to my workplace because I feel like it helps me focus and be more productive in my work.”

Top technologies used for workplace communication in the wake of COVID-19 include…

Phone 40% 40%
Skype 34% 34%
Zoom 28% 28%
Microsoft Teams 20% 20%
Google Hangouts 16% 16%

86% say they now have the technology they need to stay productive in their work at home.

Examples of new technology purchases to help with at-home productivity include…

New computer

External monitor

Webcam

Headset

Other examples: Adapters, Printer/ink, Paper, Stapler

In addition to upgrades to home office set-ups, some are using new tech to improve productivity, while others are seeking entertainment!