The Effect of COVID-19 on Food Consumers’ Channel Purchasing Behaviors: An Empirical Study from Poland

Bożena Kusz (), Lucyna Witek, Dariusz Kusz, Katarzyna Chudy-Laskowska, Paulina Ostyńska and Alina Walenia
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Bożena Kusz: Department of Computer Engineering in Management, The Faculty of Management, Rzeszow University of Technology, Al. Powstańców Warszawy 12, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
Lucyna Witek: Department of Marketing, The Faculty of Management, Rzeszow University of Technology, Al. Powstańców Warszawy 12, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
Dariusz Kusz: Department of Computer Engineering in Management, The Faculty of Management, Rzeszow University of Technology, Al. Powstańców Warszawy 12, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
Katarzyna Chudy-Laskowska: Department of Quantitative Methods, The Faculty of Management, Rzeszow University of Technology, Al. Powstańców Warszawy 12, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
Paulina Ostyńska: Department of Computer Engineering in Management, The Faculty of Management, Rzeszow University of Technology, Al. Powstańców Warszawy 12, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
Alina Walenia: Institute of Economics and Finance, University of Rzeszow, 2 Ćwiklińskiej, 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 5, 1-17

Abstract: The aim of the research was to analyze consumer behavior regarding changes in the place where the food was purchased during the COVID-19 pandemic. An analysis of the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and changes in the frequency of food purchases in specified retail outlets was presented. Different consumer reactions to the threats and restrictions that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic were found. Gender had a statistically significant impact on the changes in the place of purchase in the case of supermarkets and discount stores. Women were reported to be more cautious about the risks associated with shopping in supermarkets and discount stores. Age had a statistically significant impact on the frequency of grocery shopping in small local/rural stores, in medium-sized self-service stores, in supermarkets and in discount stores. Among the group of respondents aged 46 and over, greater trust in larger commercial units was observed. Education had a statistically significant impact on the frequency of shopping for groceries only in supermarkets. In turn, the place of residence had a statistically significant impact on the change in the frequency of making purchases in medium-sized self-service stores and discount stores. The results of our own research are not unambiguous, but they indicate certain tendencies in the perception of health safety when shopping among various social groups.

Keywords: pandemic COVID-19; food; consumer behavior; food purchasing habits (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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