One-third of shoppers are still afraid to go to malls

After quarantine, customers worry about trying on clothes and shoes, as well as trial make-up.

While retailers’ jobs have changed significantly since the pandemic and stores and shopping malls are making every effort to ensure social distance and other measures to create a safe environment, shoppers still have significant concerns. According to a 1,200-person study by First Insight, many shoppers are very concerned and are not in a hurry to go back to shopping. 

Approximately 32% of respondents feel unsafe when visiting shopping malls. As for grocery stores, many fewer people defined their condition as unsafe when visiting them – only 11% of people reported feeling unsafe when visiting them.

It was also noted that 80% of women feel uncomfortable when trying on cosmetics in shops, and 68% of customers feel unsafe when trying on clothes in dressing rooms, about the same number as the 61% who feel insecure when trying on shoes.

Expressing their attitude towards new post-quarantine measures in retail, 84% of those surveyed confirmed that compulsory wearing masks makes them feel safer when shopping, and 71% said they would consider checking the temperature at the entrance to stores and shopping centers a vital measure.

Experts believe that the habits and moods of customers will not change anytime soon. Even though during the quarantine period, there was a significant amount of deferred demand, consumers are not in a hurry to return to their stores and, even more so, to try out products. Retailers will have to get used to functioning in the new reality and count on long-term changes in rules and principles of work.