Panic Shopping as State of Emergency is Declared for USA
Shoppers Panic Shop — Hoarding Supplies in “Coronavirus Grocery Hauls”
Apparently a lot of people will be eating meat while they hunker down at home.
Today was probably the peak of America’s panic shopping for supplies before we all prepare to stay home for at least a couple weeks. Only just earlier this month, March, we went from people casually beginning to stock up on things like medical masks, gloves, soap and hand sanitizer, to now the last big shop for a while.
Americans are now in full on panic shopping mode. Today grocery stores across the USA were experiencing massive and constant waves of shoppers buying out everything in sight. In many instances shelves are bare (or nearly bare,) on edge shoppers wearing masks and gloves frantically search for supplies — necessities and luxuries alike, and lines to check out are a mile long.
To keep a constant pulse on what America’s health-conscious consumers are thinking, I’ve conducted what I call “intercept” shopper interviews with random people in grocery stores today. I’ve also consulted Green Purse PR’s proprietary panel of Millennial moms asking about their purchase behavior within the past two days. Below are some direct quotes from some of the consumers I interviewed or sought feedback from.
What shoppers tell us about their last minute Coronavirus stock-up shops:
“I live off of Skinny Pop anyway, so might as well buy all of them left on the shelf.”
“Box wine and a bunch of frozen food; I’m good to go.”
“I’ve already stock up on toilet paper, soap, sanitizer, and detergents. I’ve also got a bunch of canned food and bottled water. I’m shopping today for mostly some things I did not think of initially — little indulgences like chips, chocolate and cookies.”
“I was staying pretty chill about all this until I came here today and saw how badly people were panicking.”
“Well now that it’s officially a State of Emergency, I am a bit more freaked out. Who knows how long this will last - how long it might be before I can do a grocery shop again.”
“I like to be prepared, so I’m buying enough supplies today in case we need to stay at home for about a month.”
“We’ve bought mostly frozen and canned food - things that won’t go bad, as well as fresh food specifically to boost immunity.”
“I hoarded up on things that I did not think about before - things like coffee, beer, desserts.”
“LaCroix! Lots and lots of LaCroix.”
“I’m not buying anything that a lot of people might have touched.”
Consider the shopper quotes and data above to understand how your target consumers is buying right now and how your company can best address their needs. When consumers are in panic mode, ask yourself how your brand can help alleviate their worries.
Stay safe out there!
- Lisa Mabe-Konstantopoulos, Founder & CEO, Green Purse PR
