As millions of Americans wait their turn for the COVID-19 vaccine, a new survey reports many won’t be rushing back to retailers’ stores to shop for clothes and shoes after the immunization.
The study by First Insight shows 40% of consumers say they plan to shop for apparel in stores either the same amount or less after being vaccinated. The predictive consumer analytics firm polled more than 1,000 people online on Jan. 13 about their purchasing plans.
As well, 44% of respondents said they’ll visit stores the same or less to buy footwear post-vaccination, while 45% said they would visit stores the same or less for beauty products, 41% said this about luxury items, and 43% for electronics.
While it might be widely believed that Americans will rush back to some level of normality after getting a vaccination, First Insight CEO Greg Petro expresses the view that it unlikely to happen soon.
"Number one, not everyone feels comfortable getting vaccinated," Petro said. "Number two, most people are not going to rush into stores after getting vaccinated. ... It’s going to take a long time for people to get really comfortable and reacclimated to the way the world was. And so you can you can count on 2021 looking very similar to 2020."
