Here's how COVID-19 affected consumer shopping habits

Mehreen Kasana Jan. 9, 2021 Culture From spirit purchases, bakery items, beauty products to snacks, fresh produce, candy, and more, the coronavirus pandemic altered what we put in our carts. Shutterstock

Cash-back app, Ibotta, recently released its findings about consumer trends and habits during the COVID-19 pandemic. By comparing purchase data from 2019 with the purchase data from 2020, the finance company caught a glimpse into what people were buying more (much more) of during the pandemic. Priorities clearly switched up, with alcohol and bakery foods topping the list. Shutterstock

33% How much spirit purchases went up in 2020 compared to 2019. Ibotta Shutterstock

Purchases for bakery items went up by 17 percent. As the pandemic raged on, people turned to baking all sorts of bread , including sour dough. We wrote how you don't need to complicate the process by buying smart gadgets. Dough, water, and a good sense of timing works well. Shutterstock

Purchases for meat, poultry, and seafood went up by 16 percent while it shot up 15 percent for seasonings, sauces, and the like. Shutterstock

15% How much purchases for deli products went up by. People loved the idea of treating themselves to a fancy charcuterie. Ibotta Shutterstock

13% Increase in purchases for canned goods and soups. Ibotta Shutterstock

People bought more frozen foods, up by 12 percent compared to 2019, while purchases for dairy products went up by nine percent. This can be explained by the fact that multiple trips to grocery stores were discouraged, so consumers turned to stocking up on goods. Shutterstock

Beyond edible items, consumers turned to other market categories for shopping, including health and wellness products, beauty items, and household essentials. Shutterstock

14% Purchase for grooming products shot up by 14 percent with salons closed. Shutterstock

Now for the small but essential stuff. Purchases for household essentials like cleaning material went up by seven percent, fresh produce by six, and candy (sweet!) by four. Shutterstock

37% Purchases for apparel went down by a "drastic" 37 percent in the U.S.With increased social distancing, there seems to be little to no sense in buying new clothes. Unsurprisingly, reports indicate that interest in leisurewear exploded. Shutterstock

As the pandemic rages on, these consumer habits are bound to evolve. We're curious to see what other items pick up (or slow down) in the not-too-distant future. Shutterstock

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