Ripple effects of the Low touch 

increase in critical patients later on

more births at home

Low Touch Economy

greetings

less urgent visits to ER & doctor visits ncrease of other vaccinations

contactless 
everything New safe (digital) labels or  more packaged and  
certificates for products wrapped food combine travel with work
Mask/glove wearing in public 
accepted/expected (all seasons)

V2 - latest update April 16, 2020 people avoid hospitals

strong link weak link

new infrastructure/add-ons for 
increased protection
increased virus/health 
ncrease in hygiene 
awareness
awareness
only travel for extensive periods tourism in rural areas over cities

Minimal human  employees interaction with 

interaction value chains clients is a risk

Rise of hygiene theatre 

by companies
“actively infected” phase only  seggregated 
bars&restaurants social life
contactless everything
boost in smaller luxury products (gift  boost in  local travel with 
more discrimination regions with 2-week quarantine
for yourself to compensate holiday) nature/camping trips friends/extended family
Health security gates 
HYG ENE PRECAUT ONS everywhere
Hand-washing, masks, more focus on personal 
people deliberately  trolls falsely report 
payments (face id) disinfecting,... health & personal care
infect themselves immunity

c e /e ee immunity 
a ed a "i e" apps/trackers/certificates democratic liberties are 
overall less holidays constrained

new open-air retail  More use of individual micro  limited use of crowded  more solo  more local 
concepts fully automated retail mobility public transport travelers tourism

Continuous testing  shift to more localism rising tension within EU

(addiction?) (production & consumption)

Social distancing interiors

(restaurants,..) (temporary) redesign road & city 
infrastructure to allow social distancing

China claims global leadership 

(takes over from US)
SOC AL D STANC NG TRAVEL RESTR CT ONS
new solo shopping  increase in data/ personal  carry record of personal health to allow 
rethink retail experience Limit unnecessary visits Don’t get close to others, limit  Between & within nations,  many borders remain (partially) 
experience surveillance tools cross-border travel
Refrigerated drop  di erent shops bundle  physical interactions,... people and/or goods  closed
o points deliveries

privacy backlash
limit shopping/retail trips i ei a i ai (e e
aci ) export restrictions

drop in second hand items 

dedicated retail for 65+y olds
over safety concerns shorter (more local) supply 
chains
indoor & outdoor delivery  Boost in e-commerce 
optimised delivery options wasted resources 
bots (small carts) & deliveries
monitoring of close friends/family (e.g. food waste)
increase in populism
Appointment based retail

More near home 

Ri e e ec f he D SRUPTED SUPPLY CHA NS
drop o points redesign public healthcare rise of e-health/ telemedicine L T ch Ec Nations intervene to have more  battle for limited resources Oil price war
control on (critical) supply chains
(2020-2022)
increase of open 
source info

More outsourcing of  more home delivery  growth of "ghost" 

more "ghosts" kitchens but also a shift in more extreme views 
grocery/retail shopping meals supermarkets
(spread of misinformation e.g. 5G, 
conspiracies,...)
businesses extend opening hours 
(spread clients over a longer time)

updated insurance policies &  need for more 

regulation to support clarity/guidance/ leadership

potential renewed trust in science non-believers start 

objective information to revolt

low touch greetings

(no more handshakes, kissing,..)

MASS BANKRUPTC ES
less food waste at home to  products need to proof their  "natural" products are 
bailouts A ected industries will experience  suppliers lose revenue
avoid grocery trips e ectiveness  challenged
waves of bankruptcies
Less eating out
more (remote) therapy needed

Rethink ceremonies/rituals
(e.g. weddings)

more & new insurances

more home 
cooking
forced (better) work /  Close friends are more 
life balance valued

more dating, but longer 

more pets hiring/outsourcing 
vetting cycles
Buy more home  stop
less job hopping
appliances

L M T LARGE GATHER NGS MASS UNEMPLOYMENT

more D Y at home families/couples spend more  The rare real social gatherings  need for connection &  i e i de e i / search for stability 
more time at home No events, limit interactions to close  Businesses switch to survival mode  faster decision making (speed of 
(gardening etc) time together are valued more social interaction a i e / ei e & structure new organisation structures
family,... and need to cut costs market competition)

Cinema's/theatre's/festivals  Rise of digital/virtual 

new virtual companions
scaled back performances
more sport in/near  bored to stay 
Slow rise in VR (but only 
home at/near home
for gaming)

Rise of prepper  rise inequality

utility bill increase  virtual gatherings for adults (e.g.  movements
at home discord, houseparty,..)

poverty increase
rethink personal 
careers

more people rely 

(need to) disconnect  More media  invest in recreation at  more personal time  better corporate policies to  homes not suited for couples  on food banks
more stress at home loss of income
from reality consumption/gaming home during the day work from home sharing o ce space

rise in sidejobs  (temporary) universal 

and freelancing income experiments
ncrease in home  investments in home 
T/security o ce setup
f h e increase in domestic violence more divorces more legal counselling
e-sports gains traction

(potential) changes in challenge traditional expensive 

invest in personal 
family budget universities (& student loans)
development

changes in employer 
relationship

less obvious jobs also move to work 

from home (with special equipment)

more renting vs 

buying of products
focus on deliverables vs 
reskill workforce to support 
activity or time
essential services

massive drop in co-

working spaces

move to a  push for more home  need for more automated legal 
more flexible
new house monitoring tools support at scale
working hours
drop in podcasting/ 
less commuting
music streaming

Renovations to match  remote video working  less physical  Less o ce space  drop real estate value  postponing non-essential 
new lifestyle (private context) meetings needed (houses, o ces,...) purchases (e.g. new car)

The post-Covid-19 era will become a

less tra c

get to know colleagues at a 

less need to have companies 
based in (expensive) city centers
Low Touch Economy shaped by new
habits & regulations. Some shifts will be
free up space at  personal level
less pollution
home

increase in home 
there only for a couple of months, while
others could create long-lasting ripple
schooling

more waste  external storage  jobs becomes less  regular fashion becomes  make-up still 
disposal needed part of your identity less important going strong

more (remote) 
courses
effects in multiple industries.
More insights: lowtoucheconomy.com

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