Shoppers plan to reduce spending, show little excitement to shop after lockdown: RAI

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Jun 10, 2020

Although many of India’s consumers plan to resume shopping as lockdown begins to lift, consumer sentiment is very low and the overwhelming majority of consumers plan to reduce their spending.

 
A total of 67% of the 4,000 respondents to the Retail Association of India’s latest survey expressed little or no excitement concerning post-lockdown shopping, ET Retail reported. The RAI’s survey carried out in association with LitmusWorld was titled ‘Unlocking Indian Consumer Sentiment Post Lockdown’ and examines shoppers’ likely reaction to the gradual ending of lockdown. 
 
The RAI reported a cautious atmosphere amongst shoppers. Of the surveyed shoppers, 62% plan to visit stores in the first three months after lockdown, with a higher amount planning to shop in-store in tier 2 and 3 cities at 75%. Only 6% of those surveyed plan to increase spending and 78% plan to reduce their spending after lockdown.

“With most consumers demonstrating hesitation to resume shopping in the coming months, the retail sector needs the support of all stakeholders to revive sentiment,” said the RAI’s CEO Kumar Rajagopalan, ET Retail reported.

“Retailers will need to prioritise safety and hygiene measures to reassure consumers that they will receive a safe shopping experience. Despite a strained quarter, the sector will have to make investments in implementing the necessary safeguards to win back consumer confidence.”
 
According to the RAI’s survey, the most preferred measure stores could take to make consumers feel safe was regularly sanitising stores. Over half of respondents also said they would prefer minimal interaction with staff in stores to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission.