Currys PC World research shows coronavirus transforming shopper habits
Currys PC World says that this Black Friday weekend was its busiest ever online with nearly 120,000 calls taken through its ShopLive personal video shopping service.
As the tech retailer gets ready to reopen its English stores after a second coronavirus lockdown, it has released research, based around a sample of 700k+ customers using ShopLive and a survey of 2,003 people.
Also of interest: Currys PC World ramps up ShopLive and Order & Collect services
This reveals that 47% have been shopping online more during the lockdown periods, with many taking advantage of the longer evenings to make online purchases. Indeed, 41% admit they are shopping between 12am and 6am.
The most common reasons for this are feeling free from all distractions (51%), while 44% have more free time in the evening due to lockdown. 28% have difficulty sleeping and 24% do it because it makes them feel happier in the winter darkness.
The most popular items being purchased this year by shoppers are laptops, large screen TVs, washing machines and printers and scanners. Lockdown two saw more purchases of smart home controls, home theatre kits, as well as headphones as customers stocked up in time for Christmas.
Ed Connolly, Chief Commercial Officer, Currys PC World, says: “In many ways, the pandemic transformed our lives overnight, so it makes sense that our shopping habits would change along with it.”
“We’re thrilled to see so many of our customers taking full advantage of our ShopLive service over Black Friday weekend and throughout the national lockdown periods,” Connolly adds.
“As we get ready to re-open our stores this week, we’re proud that we’ve been able to adapt to the various challenges for our customers and provide them with the best deals, whatever the circumstances.”
