Amazon and Tesco big winners during coronavirus outbreak
Just 16% of UK consumers intend to return to their old shopping habits post-coronavirus lockdown, according to research from Wunderman Thompson Commerce.
The company surveyed 2,000 Brits and also found that online purchasing accounted for 62% of all shopping during lockdown, compared to 43% before the pandemic.
E-commerce is predicted to account for 51% of all spend moving forward. Fear of contracting the virus will play a big part here with 48% of shoppers scared about shopping in-store.
Amazon, Tesco and corner shops
Amazon’s share in the e-commerce market swelled with 35% of all online shopping conducted through the marketplace during the lockdown period. 20% of Brits said their net intention to purchase with the US giant post-Covid-19 will increase, despite 21% of people expressing worry about Amazon’s ever-increasing dominance.
Tesco led the battle of the supermarkets and saw a 23% improvement in net perception; while the net intention to purchase post-Covid-19 rose by 9%. Sainsbury’s and Morrisons both saw a 12% net rise in positive perception respectively.
Other winners include corner shops with a 27% net increase in positive public perception as they played a pivotal role in providing essential goods.
Hugh Fletcher, Global Head of Consultancy and Innovation at Wunderman Thompson Commerce, says: “With many consumers looking for assurances on safety and reliability, it’s perhaps unsurprising to see the likes of Amazon and the ‘big four’ supermarkets resonate highly with their ability to provide services to consumers in the way they want.”
“They also all adapted quickly by emphasising stock availability, competitive pricing and customer safety. As consumers look to keep their purse strings relatively tight and as a more digital-first retail future materialises, the brands and retailers that are able to pivot their business models to accommodate this rise in online spend will ultimately get a greater share of shoppers’ wallet.”