Consumer Response to COVID-19 Induced Lockdown in India

Abstract

This study used online survey data from May–June 2020 and a regression tree to show that during the COVID-19 lockdown, consumers bought more semi-perishables with longer shelf lives, reduced consumption of non-vegetarian items, and stocked up. Food intake varied due to job loss, infection concerns, supply chain disruption, and mobility restrictions. Google mobility studies demonstrated that travel habits changed significantly. In India, travel to stores and entertainment (62.94 per cent), parks (53.16 per cent), public transportation (40.42 per cent), workplaces (31.71 per cent), supermarkets and pharmacies (6.03 per cent), and other places had gone down, but travel within residential areas had gone up (15.71 per cent). It suggested that consumers stop panic purchases along the food supply chain, set up social safety nets, and promote online shopping.