How Covid-19 Has Changed Consumer Spending Around The World

Industry news

How Covid-19 Has Changed Consumer Spending Around The World

Spending is down across all industries, as lockdown measures have restricted what we can spend money on, due to restaurants and shops being shut and air travel suspended.
Equally, the economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic have meant consumers are less inclined to spend more, with many expecting their household income to continue to fall in the coming months.
Time spent indoors however, has caused us to spend more on home entertainment and groceries.

How COVID-19 Consumer Spending is Impacting Industries Consumer spending is one of the most important driving forces for global economic growth. Beyond impacting some of the factors that determine consumer spend - such as consumer confidence, unemployment levels, or the cost of living - the Covid-19 pandemic has also drastically altered how and where consumers choose to spend their hard-earned cash. The graphics are based on data from a global survey by McKinsey & Company that analyses how consumers are reining in their spending, causing upheaval across every industry imaginable. While some industries are in a better position to weather the impact of this storm, others could struggle to survive. The link between sentiment and intent to spend As consumers grapple with uncertainty, their buying behaviour becomes more erratic. What is clear however, is that they have reduced spending on all non-essential products and services. But as each country moves along the Covid-19 curve, we can see a glimmer of increasing optimism levels, which in turn is linked to higher spending. India's consumers, for example, are displaying higher levels of optimism, with more households planning to increase spend - a trend that is also evident in China, Indonesia, & Nigeria. Meanwhile, American consumers are still more optimistic about the future than Europeans. 37% of Americans believe the country will recover in 2 or 3 months-albeit with optimism levels at the highest for people who earn over $100K. Strategic consumer spending Globally, consumers continue to spend - and in some cases, spend more compared to pre-pandemic levels - on some necessities such as groceries and household supplies. Due to changes in media consumption habits, consumers in almost all countries surveyed say they will increase their spend on at-home entertainment. This is especially true for Korea, a country that already boasts a massive gaming culture. As restrictions in China lift, many categories such as gasoline, wellness, and pet-care services appear to be bouncing back, which could be a positive sign for other countries following a similar trajectory. But while consumers amp up their spending on the things they need, they also anticipate spending less in other categories. The industries in the red Categories showing an alarming decline include restaurants and out-of-home entertainment. However, there are two particularly hard-hit industries worth noting that are showing declines across every category and country: Travel and transport The inevitable decline in the travel and transportation industry is a reflection of mass social isolation levels and tightening travel restrictions. In fact, the US travel industry can expect to see an average decline in revenue of 81% for April and May. Throughout 2020, losses will equate to roughly US$ 519 billion - translating to a broader US$ 1.2 trillion contraction in total economic impact. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, a staggering 50 million jobs are at risk in the industry, with 30 million of those jobs belonging to employees in Asia. Considering the travel and tourism industry accounts for 10.4% of global GDP, a slow recovery could have serious ramifications. Apparel Apparel is experiencing a similarly worrying slowdown, with consumption 40-50% lower in China compared to pre-pandemic levels. Both online and offline sales for businesses the world over are also taking a major hit. As consumers hold back on their spending, clothing brands of all shapes and sizes are forced to scale back production, and reimagine how they position themselves. "It's an unprecedented interruption of an industry that has relied on speeding from one season's sales to the next. And it is bringing with it a new sense of connectedness, responsibility and empathy." Towards an uncertain future Clearly the force majeure that is Covid-19 has not impacted every industry equally. For some, rebuilding their customer experience by appealing to changing values could result in a profitable, and perhaps much-needed revival. For other companies, there is no other choice but to play the waiting game. Regardless, every industry faces one universal truth: life after the pandemic will look significantly different.