What’s worrying consumers about the pandemic
As restaurants across the country were shuttered in a bid to promote social distancing and stop the spread of COVID-19 caused by the novel coronavirus, trend researcher Datassential released the results of a new study that assessed consumers’ level of concern about catching the virus when visiting a food establishment.
As restaurants across the country were shuttered in a bid to promote social distancing and stop the spread of COVID-19 caused by the novel coronavirus, trend researcher Datassential released the results of a new study that assessed consumers’ level of concern about catching the virus when visiting a food establishment.
Buffet restaurants are high on the list of food options that concern consumers, with 49% of those surveyed by Datassential stating that they believe visiting such an establishment would increase their likelihood of contracting the coronavirus. For cafeterias, the level of concern was 46%; followed by food courts/food halls, 45%; hotel restaurants/bars, 39%; limited-service restaurants, 34%; convenience stores, 32%; grocery stores, 29%; casual dining establishments, 27%; grocery deli/bakery outlets, 21%; and fine dining restaurants, 21%. The study was the first in a new HotSpot custom and syndicated report series Datassential has launched.
Separately, in a survey conducted last week by the Consumer Brands Association, 63% of respondents expressed concerns about access to food and beverage products, although hand soap, disinfecting wipes, and hand sanitizer led the list of products they are stocking up on, followed by bottled water. Nonperishable foods were No. 6 on the list; canned and bottled drinks were No. 8; pet food was No. 11; and baby products came in at No. 13.