Impact of the fear of Covid-19 on perceptions of physical shopping convenience and consumer behaviour in Portugal

Abstract

The aim of this study is top rovide an insight of the fear of Covid-19 felt by the Portuguese and how it impacted their perceptions of physical shopping convenience and consumer behaviour. Specifically, utilitarian and hedonic shopping, the likelihood of stockpiling products and the probability to change the offline shopping to online channels. Statistical evidence was found that fear does influence consumer perceptions and behaviours. Results of this study can be used by companies to better understand customers’ reactions to fear-induced situations and quickly adapt to these changes.