How coronavirus is re-shaping consumer faith and their lifestyle?

The current pandemic does not seem getting over soon. Doctors across the globe are aggressively working day and night to develop the corona vaccine. Government bodies and agencies, volunteers, Doctors, Self-help groups, ASHA workers, and many more have come forward to help people in need during this crisis. WHO extended help to +180 countries in making sure to stabilize the corona effect show their commitment to society and people in general.

Political solidarity with few hiccups from developed countries can still be ignored considering the outgoing pandemic by COVID 19.

While scientist, researchers, retail professionals, teachers, engineers devise their own means to fight coronavirus, there are few things that common people too innovated at their own end. Nothing seems to deter their courage, enthusiasm, and passion at this juncture.

The current pandemic has given an opportunity to those who couldn’t do the things of their interest for years. The busy schedule sometimes jig-sawed the start or it never started at all.

The sudden announcement of countrywide lockdown, immediate closure of non-essential stores, malls, theatres, parks, museums, schools, colleges, offices, etc. instilled the necessity to develop alternative means to continue enjoying the benefits virtually though. What we truly see around is the proverb – “Necessity is the mother of invention” coming alive by all means and by all of us.

People buying in-house and local branded products were seen during this period, though this buying nature was not so common in metros especially in the salaried segment. Supermarket, Department stores were seen stocking in-house brand or loose packed product, due to the slow supply of branded products. The wide acceptance of the in-house and local branded products seems to be the future at least till the economy revives and ensure sufficient influx of cash in people's hands.

The perception of God eliminating the worst sin or virus was not spoken by Gurus, Pundits, Saints, or any other firm believer. What we truly witness is the greater restored faith in Science and Technology. Government, Scientist, and researchers were seen dwelling on at least for a couple of months on the reason for the rise of the current pandemic. Since then, scientists, doctors, and researchers are working on by all means to develop the corona vaccine.

We wait to see the real innovation happening, while a few others take place to meet our daily essential needs. The world is witnessing innovative ideas coming forth. Mask is the new fashion of the current season. Millennial X designers were seen designing a unique mask for different segments of customers. Some voluntarily came forward to design cost effective mask.

There are others designing an innovative mobile app to track the pandemic. Arogya Setu app is one such app launched by the Government of India. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi has developed a COVID-19 test kit. IIT and Stanford alumni have developed a machine to sterilize public places to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The imposed lockdown and social distancing distanced us from the regular services of a maid, housekeeping, etc. and this did resulted in growing cooking, painting, music, writing interest, etc. People have been doing video chat to get together and celebrate birthdays or other occasions using everyday tools like Skype, Hangouts, or Zoom. India’s internet consumption rose by 13% since the nationwide lockdown was put in the place to check the spread of Covid-19 & search for the cookery tips, online education, certification course etc. according to telecom ministry data that showed Indians consumed 308,000 terabytes (TB) of data daily on an average for the week beginning 22nd March. Celebrities were seen posting their self-cooked recipes, washing utensils, paintings, new interest on social media.

Internet usage around the globe has surged by double-digit percentage; India is behind countries like China, Austria, Japan, Israel, and UAE, in terms of mobile and fixed broadband performance but ahead of countries like Italy, France, Germany, and Canada.

There is a 40% increase in WhatsApp usage, 313% increase in interest for online meetings on google trends, 4% increase in searches related to online banking, whooping 73% increase in live aarti searches and 32% increase in online grocery were seen during this period. (source – Gipsi)

Parents are enjoying the lockdown days. They are spending a good amount of time with their kids which they rarely used to get owing to the busy schedule. An innovative kind of parenting is seen across. Some are seen making handwashing songs to ensure that their wards do it for 20 seconds regularly whereas others are seen playing a game on how to maintain social distance in schools, day-care premises, etc. Old age people are looking own; they are taking necessary measures to safeguard them from this pandemic. Hygiene, Social distancing, washing hands are well-spoken around, and mandatorily followed now. An innovative way of parenting is hallowing around.

Ecommerce played a key role in restraining people meeting their daily needs at customer doorstep. In some way, they have been able to slow down the spread of infection, restricting people's interaction to avoid becoming virus spreaders.

According to the research report by “Capgemini Research Institute” consumer’s appetite for online shopping and convenience will continue to grow once lockdowns are eased.

Brand leaders are in a heightened battle for the consumer’s trust, and only those who earn and keep it will win.

Could using the cash in your wallet have the potential to spread COVID-19?

Though the spread of coronavirus through cash as such is unclear, however, several countries have taken drastic measures to limit the circulation of banknotes. China, South Korea, and the US Federal Reserve have started quarantining banknotes.

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) – an umbrella organization for all retail payments system in India has launched its #IndiaPaySafe campaign. It urges Indians to use Digital Payments in a bid to reduce Social Contact. Reserve Bank of India recently announced that NEFT, IMPS, UPI and BBPS facilities will be available round the clock. Following RBI, Bank of Baroda announced to implement zero charges on digital transactions for three months.

Grocery stores, OTT(Over – the – top) media such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hotstar, online money transfer, online-gaming, broadband usage, ATM withdrawals are expected to boost digital/card-based payment during the current COVID period unlike hospitality, tourism, malls, entertainment, etc. which used to contribute around 40% universally before covid-19.

Even though people are doing online shopping, they have gone selective and buying materials which are the real need for them. With people locked in-door for the last 4 weeks, there has been a growing concern and need for comfort wear. People's wardrobe may see a drastic change once the lockdown is eased. The fashion wave comfort over gaga may be the future fashion trend. Going forward, less is sufficient seems to be a broad message to retailers.

We remained in-door during this lockdown period and still celebrated festivals like Bihu, Poila Boisakh etc. in full faith and sanctity. We did all that we could do to fight coronavirus and still taking precautionary measures to prevent the spread. The bigger question is what after corona pandemic?

Are we headed to a world that is poorer and meaner?

How do you see people reviewing and revisit the religion?

Shouldn’t we revisit and relook at the system that we have been operating till now?