Cameroon’s consumers are slowly reverting to old shopping habits

“Individuals were forced to take different measures [to obtain] their essential items, such as groceries, by going to the stores during less busy times to potentially avoid contracting the virus. 

“As the vaccine rollout continues to progress in the country, the fear of contracting the virus has subsided and therefore, over the years of 2021 and 2022, there has been a noticeable shift in many individuals shopping habits,” Kasi Insight says.

In 2021, one year after the initial outbreak of Covid, respondents continued to avoid crowds when conducting their errands. Thirteen percent of consumers in 2021 preferred to go to the stores at the less busy times. This was true for Gen Z in particular.

Reduce shopping trips through bulk purchases

However, in 2022 this changed for consumers, with 17% of respondents stating that they have now returned to normal shopping habits. Some 15% of the respondents to the study said they continue to reduce shopping trips by purchasing goods in bulk. 

For 35% of Baby Boomer respondents (those born between 1946 and 1964), shopping in bulk continues to be the preferred method of purchasing groceries in 2022. 

“Overall, the consensus is that older generations … continue to be weary of Covid-19, while younger generations have started to return to regular shopping habits,” the blog notes. 

“This is an opportunity for brands [and] businesses to cater to the older generations by providing them with accessible shopping outlets; Baby Boomers continue to need Covid supplies, but also look to purchase their regular grocery items – including general supplies such as body soaps –in bulk. 

“Therefore, brands producing soaps [and] disinfectants could look into having deals on bulk purchases to ease the strain on this generation.”

Read the full blog post here.