Shopping behaviour during the early vaccination phase of the COVID-19 pandemic

Given the disruption to and rapid evolution of shopping behaviour due to COVID-19, there is a need to adequately understand shopping behaviour at different stages of the pandemic. Therefore, this study explored the shopping behaviour of Florida residents during the early vaccination phase of the COVID-19 pandemic (January to March 2021). The analysis examined shopping patterns (measured by purchase frequencies, expenditures, and shopping trip distances for different products) and attitudes, as well as how key demographic variables (age, income, and gender) might be associated with the patterns and attitudes. Results showed that online shopping was motivated by finding and comparing products, but concerns about putting personal information online, shipping costs, and the return process may have discouraged it. In-store shopping was not necessarily motivated by the need for social interaction, as people generally preferred shopping without interacting with anyone. Price, safety, and parking availability were the top three factors in choosing stores to shop from. Also, women spent less than men, but had significantly higher purchase frequencies. Thus, urban and transportation planners should promote compact, mixed-use development and parking management strategies to reduce vehicle shopping trips and the need for separate trips for different purposes.