Survey: Consumers prefer in-store shopping when prepping for extreme weather
In-store shopping trumps online when consumers prepare for hurricanes, heatwaves, severe storms and the other extreme weather events that are becoming more frequent across the country.
More than half (53%) of consumers choose in-store shopping to prepare for extreme weather, while 15% prefer online shopping with home delivery for convenience and to avoid crowds, survey by Relex Solutions. Nineteen percent opt for a mix methods depending on product availability and weather severity, and 7% say their shopping pattern doesn't change for extreme weather. Six percent buy online but pickup in store.
In other findings, during extreme weather events, 35% of consumers are likely to switch to large national chain stores for better stock availability. Twenty-three percent do not typically switch retailers, presenting an opportunity for smaller stores to build loyalty through reliable service, noted Relex.
More highlights from the survey are below.
•The Mid-Atlantic region (i.e., Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania) shows the highest preparedness for extreme weather, with 53% keeping larger stocks of essentials and also has the highest percentage (57%) of people shopping more frequently to avoid shortages. The West North Central region (i.e., Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota) shows the lowest with 30%.
•Consumer satisfaction with retailers' ability to maintain stock during extreme weather events varies significantly by region. The Mid-Atlantic region reports the highest satisfaction (40% very satisfied), while the East South Central region (i.e., Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama) reports the lowest (6% very satisfied).
•Nearly 44% of respondents now keep a larger stock of essentials at home and 34% shop more frequently to avoid potential shortages. Also, 26% have shifted to more shelf-stable alternatives, suggesting a lasting impact of pandemic-era behaviors.
“What’s interesting is to see the amount of consumers opting for in-store shopping versus alternate methods,” said Laurence Brenig-Jones, VP of product strategy and marketing at Relex. “This signals an in-store renaissance after the e-commerce boom has been driving shopper preferences to leverage alternate methods of shopping, like curbside, and buy online, pickup in store, which both gained tremendous popularity during the pandemic. Retailers must remain in-tune with consumer preferences especially around demand spikes, and supply chain uncertainty, to ensure they are stocking their stores with the right goods at the right time, especially during crucial periods such as a weather event.”
The survey findings highlight a significant shift towards more prepared consumers, who are adapting their shopping habits in response to frequent extreme weather events, according to Relex, with the shift presenting both a challenge and an opportunity for retailers.
“To effectively meet the needs of these proactive consumers, retailers must enhance their own readiness and responsiveness,” Relex stated. “This includes improving demand forecasting and optimizing inventory management to ensure the right products are available at the right time. By leveraging real-time weather data and predictive analytics, retailers can better align their stock with consumer expectations during critical weather events, potentially increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty.”
The Relex Extreme Weather Consumer report examines how extreme weather events influence consumer behaviors and purchasing patterns, as well as gauges public sentiment on retail preparedness. The survey gathered 1,037 responses from U.S. consumers in August 2024.
