A MAJORITY of Scots have turned to local stores and services during lockdown, according to latest Deloitte Digital survey. It found 61% of consumers have used more local shops and services to help support them during lockdown;
More than one in five (22%) consumers has stopped using a business due to its response to Covid-19, such as those that have refused to prioritise frontline workers or failed to ensure the safety of their employees.
And 61% of those surveyed in Scotland said they will be more likely to spend money at a business that takes extra steps to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their employees once lockdown restrictions have lifted.
Meanwhile, 15% of Scottish respondents said they had started using a brand as a result of its response.
The research analysing the impact of the pandemic on customer experience showed a similar trends across Britain – 59% of British consumers were shopping locally more.
Overall, 57% of consumers in Britain said they will be more likely to spend money at a business that offers locally produced products once the lockdown has lifted than they would have done before the stay-at-home order was imposed.
Responses were analysed from 2140 consumers aged 16 and over in Britain between May 22-26.
Gareth Edwards, principal at Deloitte Digital Scotland, said: “Consumers may have begun shopping locally out of necessity rather than choice, however, they are rediscovering their local shop as a place for human contact and personal service when they need it most. With people increasingly supporting their local area, businesses that have a strong understanding of the community will be the most likely to recover well and thrive in the coming months.”
Compared to before lockdown, 26% of those surveyed in Scotland say that once social distancing measures have lifted they expect to spend less than they did before the stay-at-home order was introduced, with 11% expecting to spend significantly less and 15% saying they will spend more.
Three in five will spend more money with brands that ensure the safety and wellbeing of their employees.
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