A recent survey of 8,500 U.S. consumers was conducted by Shopkick with special reference to concerns expressed by shoppers over COVID.  According to the recent survey, 59 percent of consumers are maintaining the same number of trips to grocery stores as they were during December 2021.  More than half (53 percent) are comfortable participating in indoor activities.  Notwithstanding the number of visits to stores, 73 percent are taking additional precautions while shopping with 90 percent masking, applying disinfectants to hands, and avoiding peak shopping times.  Approximately 60 percent are using self-check out, avoiding cash and where available seven percent are using cashier-less stores. Most respondents are not stocking-up on essential items as they do not anticipate lockdowns and expect improvement in supply.

Approximately 73 percent of respondents had received two mRNA vaccines with almost half (47 percent) having received a booster vaccination.  Only 20 percent indicated that they were not vaccinated and do not plan to be immunized. 

Brittany Billings, Executive VP of Shopkick, stated “As consumers continue to shop in-store, it is essential that retailers prioritize safety and implement the necessary precautions to keep shoppers’ minds at ease.”  She added, “The survey findings further reveal the need for retailers to adopt seamless omnichannel shopping options that can help address the pressing issues of supply shortages and a reduced retail workforce.”  It is considered significant that 73 percent of consumers noticed the shortage of retail workers in grocery stores and half observed that many essential items were unavailable.