64% of residents across 21 countries worldwide admit that they plan their grocery shopping and do it with a previously prepared list. Nearly one in three people (31%) began choosing cheaper food products after the pandemic in order to save money.

A much lower percentage of people (37%) plan meals for the entire week. One in three respondents declares that during the pandemic they started doing their grocery shopping online – according to an international study on the eating habits of residents of 21 countries around the world. The study was carried out by independent research agencies gathered in the IRIS network; the Polish part was conducted by the research agency ARC Rynek i Opinia.

Planning grocery shopping is a fairly common habit around the world. Residents of South American countries most often use a shopping list and stick to it, while the Japanese do so least often. Among the surveyed European countries, Poles at 65% are in second place, right behind the Spanish (75%), among those who use a list when shopping.

Much less frequently than shopping, respondents plan what meals they will cook and eat during the week. The average for all surveyed countries is 37%, although this percentage is much higher in the case of Panama (62%) and Peru (58%), and lowest in Japan (14%) and Switzerland (16%). Poles at 31% also fell below the global average.

Nearly one in three respondents (31%) admits that as a result of the pandemic they started buying cheaper food products in order to save money. A much higher percentage of such people is in Indonesia (76%) and Panama (55%), and the lowest in Italy (13%) and Peru (17%). In Poland this percentage is also slightly lower than the global average and stands at 26%. Together with Austrians (27%) and Romanians (27%), we are one of the three European nations most inclined to save on food products.

There is also a group of people (34%) who, more often than before the pandemic, allow themselves to buy more expensive, special food products. Poles at 28% fell slightly below the average. Spaniards (56%) and Nigerians (54%) most often indulge in extra products, while residents of Japan (11%) and Peru (18%) do so least often.

Global online shopping after the pandemic

Global smart shopping: how the pandemic changed shopping habits

As a result of the pandemic, 34% of respondents worldwide started doing their grocery shopping online. This percentage is highest in India (71%) and Indonesia (66%), and lowest in Austria (12%) and Switzerland (9%). Poland at 25% fell below the global average. The fact that these percentages are lower in European countries may result from the fact that in Europe, even before the pandemic, online grocery retail was already well developed. That is why this change is not as noticeable as in other countries.

The global study on habits related to purchasing food products and preparing meals after the third wave of COVID-19 showed that the pandemic had an impact on this area of life. One in three respondents admitted that they are limiting their spending in this area. A very high percentage of people shop with a previously prepared list, which to a large extent helps in buying only those products that we need. In this way, consumers also prevent food waste. It is worth noting that in some countries the percentage of people who started doing their grocery shopping online increased significantly. This trend is particularly noticeable where the starting level was low and such online shopping had not been popular before. The question arises as to how long this trend will last in the case of food – comments Dr. Adam Czarnecki, Doctor of Economic Sciences.

About the study

Methodology of the IRiS study

The report “Global eating, drinking and sustainability survey” was based on an international study by the IRiS network, which brings together independent research agencies from around the world. The study was conducted in 21 countries. The Polish part of the study was carried out by the research agency ARC Rynek i Opinia.

ARC Rynek i Opinia has been conducting marketing research and public opinion polls for nearly 30 years and holds a permanent place among the best research institutes in Poland. Thanks to its membership in the largest international network of independent research agencies – IriS – it carries out research projects in Europe and around the world. The ARC Rynek i Opinia institute holds the PKJPA certificate for the quality of interviewers’ work, and all studies are carried out in accordance with ESOMAR standards. More: arc.com.pl

Edited by: PN

Summary

An international study by the IRiS network, conducted in 21 countries, shows that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected consumers’ shopping habits. 64% of respondents shop with a list, and 34% started buying food online – most often in India (71%) and Indonesia (66%), and least often in Switzerland (9%). Poland at 25% fell below the global average.

One in three respondents (31%) declares that after the pandemic they choose cheaper products, while 34% more often allow themselves to buy more expensive items. Expert Adam Czarnecki emphasizes that the growth in online shopping is visible especially where this channel was previously unpopular, which raises the question of the durability of this trend in the food sector.