Consumer Behavior During the Pandemic

Turnover data at Vivre, an online retailer for home and lifestyle in Central and Eastern Europe, show important changes in consumer behavior in the year after the pandemic outbreak (March 2020 - March 2021) compared to the same period last year.

This change was observed of Vivre customers in all nine countries where the company is present. Between March 2020 and April 2021, the company recorded an overall increase of 25% in sales on its platforms compared to the same period a year before. One of the most significant changes, however, was the growing interest in online shopping among people aged 55 and over.

Transactions by 25–54-year-olds accounted for around 69% of all registered orders during the period. Nevertheless, the most significant increase in the number of transactions was observed in the 18-24 and 55-65 age groups.

The pandemic last year also brought Vivre customers closer to mobile phones. During the period under review, the highest increase in traffic was recorded on mobile phones, at around 35%. Time spent on Vivre's platforms increased marginally on desktop devices, at around 3%.

The past year has also accelerated the shift from cash to credit card payments qith the latter increasing by 140%. While the period before the pandemic was characterized by cash purchases, the current period is dominated by secure, mainly electronic payments.

The most popular product categories in Hungary last year were decorations, kitchen utensils and accessories and carpets.