Corona has changed the shopping behavior of many people. This is shown by a data analysis from the USA. What can you observe when shopping online?
Frankfurt – The everyday life of many people has changed fundamentally as a result of the Corona crisis. This is not only evident in the world of work, where there is a strong focus on working from home, but also when shopping. Since the beginning of the pandemic, more and more people have been ordering online – and online shopping shows which products are being purchased more and which have lost popularity.
Is toilet paper still being bought like crazy? And what about alcohol or other stimulants? News site Axios has teamed up with Google Trends to assess changing shopping behavior. The online service of the IT giant evaluates data on search queries from all Google users and presents them graphically. The joint data analysis examined products that people in the USA had googled. The goods are divided into three categories:
- 1. The new normal: The search interest for these products increased during the corona pandemic and remains at a high level.
- 2. Unusual: Although people were increasingly looking for these goods at one point during the virus crisis, the search interest has returned to normal.
- 3. Normal: No significant difference could be determined here.
Online shopping during Corona: These products have become more popular during the pandemic
When analyzing the data, it becomes clear that people are spending more time within their own four walls. Since the spread of the coronavirus, people have been increasingly stocking up on computer accessories and monitors. Interest in fax machines, which are actually outdated, has also increased. Apparently, this should not be missing for many Americans in the home office. The “new normal” also includes increased interest in scanners and televisions.
Care products are also very popular: Google users search more for skin and hair care products, nails and the keyword massage. Comfortable loungewear and cooking utensils are also very popular. After all, smart clothing is needed less than before the Corona pandemic, since many events are no longer taking place – and people often do not go to the restaurant to avoid infection. Americans search for pepper spray more often, as well as for individual spirits. When it comes to schnapps, the focus is on tequila.
Corona Pandemic: Unusual interest in everyday products
An unusual search behavior can be seen in everyday products and groceries. There was sometimes massive demand there during the course of the pandemic, but this has now returned to normal. At the beginning of the pandemic – especially between February and April 2020 – there was a strong search for toilet paper, handkerchiefs, masks (including gas masks), flour, rice and yeast. In the spring of 2020, hamster purchases caused short-term bottlenecks. In Germany, too, the shelves of individual products were swept empty for several weeks.
Curiously, at the same time as the pandemic, searches for bleach spiked. The background: The then US President Donald Trump had indicated that in the fight against the corona virus it could make sense to inject bleach or disinfectants.
At a press conference in April 2020, Trump said of the virus: “And then I see disinfectant knocking it out in a minute. In one minute. Is there a way to do this through an injection or a cleanup procedure? (…) It would be interesting to check that out.” In fact, people in several US states took disinfectant and were poisoned after the statement. Experts reacted to the Republican’s dangerous statements with disbelief.
Corona: Everything has remained normal here with online shopping
The corona pandemic does not seem to have any impact on demand for perishable products. Searches for apples, butter, buttermilk, cheese, eggs, ice cream, mushrooms and whipped cream remained at pre-crisis levels. Apparently, Americans aren’t eating sweets or chocolate anymore either. The situation is similar with coffee, tea, rum, vodka, whiskey and wine. A greater desire for sex toys cannot be determined either. (tvd)
