VIEWPOINT
The Summer of the Road Trip? Vaccine optimism and still-cautious consumers could lead to breakout year for summer car travel IT’S BEEN MORE than a year since consumers worldwide have been forced to change their shopping habits due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As we pass the oneyear anniversary of economic lockdowns caused by the pandemic, there’s no shortage of talk about how consumer shopping habits have changed, and how many of these changes will persist after the pandemic is over.
over what they buy, and 41 percent think in-store is easier and more convenient. One out of two consumers say their buying habits have been permanently changed by the pandemic, according to a new study by AlixPartners, an international consulting firm. The study also found that internationally, consumer concerns about health (both mental and physical) and finance are key drivers of these permanently changed purchasing habits.
Deloitte noted that pandemic-related anxiety levels in the U.S. have dropped by 10 percent and that worldwide anxiety is at its lowest level since April 2020. Despite the increase in safety perception, financial stress and employment continue to be the second and third leading drivers of anxiety in most countries.
The AlixPartners study points out that the pandemic accelerated existing trends — such as digitization and channel-shifting — but it also has led to new habits, such as more local travel by consumers. And the research notes that while some online purchasing habits developed during the pandemic will remain very strong, such as shopping for beauty products, clothing and footwear, some are likely to “snap back to store,” such as for grocery shopping.
Deloitte’s research also found that discretionary spending is on the rise, with three in four U.S. consumers planning to spend the same or more on apparel and restaurants in the coming weeks, while also expecting to avoid congregating with strangers and continuing to consume at home and shop online.
I sense there’s a lot of consumer optimism about the vaccines, and I think c-store retailers will enjoy a significant boost to store traffic and sales this summer, especially from summer family road trips. U.S. consumers are likely to eschew international travel for summer vacations closer to home.
A recent study by Toluna reports that two-thirds of respondents plan to return to their in-store shopping habits because half of them feel they have more control
For comments, please contact Don Longo, Editorial Director, at (201) 855-7606 or dlongo@ensembleiq.com.
Let’s look at some of the post-pandemic trends being talked about at this time.
EDITORIAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS (2013-2021)
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Brett Atherton Bolla Management
2018 Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award Finalist, Best Editorial Use of Data, June 2017
2013 Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award Best Single Issue, October 2012
2013 Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award Finalist, Best Profile, August 2012
2020 Eddie Award, Folio: magazine Business to Business, Retail, Series of Articles, September 2019 2018 Eddie Award Honorable Mention, Folio: magazine Business to Business, Retail, Website Business to Business, Retail, Full Issue, October 2017 Business to Business, Editorial Use of Data, June 2017
Rick Crawford Green Valley Grocery
2017 Eddie Award, Folio: magazine Winner, Business to Business, Retail, Single/Series of Articles, May 2017 Honorable Mention, Business to Business, Retail, Single/Series of Articles, June 2016
Edward Davidson ER Davidson & Associates (7-Eleven Inc., retired)
2016 Eddie Award Honorable Mention, Folio: magazine Business to Business, Retail, Full Issue, October 2015 Business to Business, Retail, Single/Series of Articles, August 2015 2016 American Society of Business Press Editors, National Azbee Awards Gold, Best How-To Article, March 2015 Bronze, Best Original Research, June 2015 2016 American Society of Business Press Editors, Midwest Regional Azbee Awards Gold, Best How-To Article, March 2015 Silver, Best Original Research, June 2015
2015 Eddie Award Honorable Mention, Folio: magazine Business to Business, Retail, Single Article, February 2014
2013 American Society of Business Press Editors, Midwest Regional Azbee Awards Bronze, Best Editorial/Commentary, July 2012
4 Convenience Store News C S N E W S . c o m
Jim Hachtel Eby-Brown Co.
2014 Eddie Award Honorable Mention, Folio: magazine Business to Business, Retail, Full Issue, October 2013 Business to Business, Retail, Single Article, February 2013
Chris Hartman Rutter’s
2013 Eddie Award Honorable Mention, Folio: magazine Business to Business, Retail, Full Issue, October 2012
Ray Johnson Speedee Mart
2015 American Society of Business Press Editors, National Azbee Awards Silver, Best Profile (long form), February 2014 2015 American Society of Business Press Editors, Midwest Regional Azbee Awards Gold, Best Special Supplement, November 2014 Silver, Best Profile (long form), February 2014
Laura Aufleger OnCue Express
Jack Lewis GPM Midwest
2020 Trade Association Business Publications Intl. Tabbie Awards Honorable Mention, Best Single Issue, September 2019 2016 Trade Association Business Publications Intl. Tabbie Awards Silver, Front Cover Illustration, June 2015
Joe Lewis ExtraMile Convenience Stores Ruth Ann Lilly GPM Investments Danielle Mattiussi Maverik Inc. Vito Maurici McLane Co. Inc. Matt Paduano Lakeport Markets Jonathan Polonsky Plaid Pantries Inc. Greg Scriver Kwik Trip Inc. Bill Stein Core-Mark Roy Strasburger StrasGlobal
