How do Pandemics such as Covid 19 impact consumer behavior?

The large sanitary crisis of COVID-19 was characterized by a state of high uncertainty, an
episode of attrition and imbalance, which forced us to leave the 'status quo' and make changes
in our routine in order to adapt to this moment. This moment triggered a series of
modifications in our routine, impacting consumer behavior at various levels of the purchase
journey.
Some changes tend to be temporary, following the stages of the disease and the crisis itself.
Others, however, have the ability to modify social habits in a more profound way, impacting
on long-term modifications, either in the buying process, or even in the markets in general,
enabling the popularization of a product, the devaluation of a sector, or the creation of
another service.
One of the highlights of the new consumer behavior is characterized by a greater presence in
the digital media. With social isolation, quarantine status, and changes in the ways of
working with the massive adoption of working from home, the consumer spends more time
on social networks and, consequently, also comes to consume digital products more
frequently.
For being more time at home, the consumer not only has the need to purchase products
online, but also has more time available in the day to day to consume entertainment and
educational content.
The search for online training courses, for example, has grown considerably during the
quarantine period. Demand for streaming services such as Netflix or Disney Plus more than
doubled during the isolation. Consumption through marketplaces has also increased
considerably.
The Leisure and Entertainment Sector also had a major impact due to the coronavirus crisis.
Online games, books and streaming services became part of the consumer's new leisure
routine. On the counterpart, the Events and Travel Sector suffered a very negative impact, as
well as Bars and Restaurants, as consumer behavior with regards to going to bars and social
events has changed, even because there are many imposed government measures, which
prevent the circulation of people, as well as crowds and parties.
However, I believe that impulsive buying is a fundamental aspect of habitual consumer
behavior for the maintenance of local commerce and it has had an important change in
behavior.
It is characterized by that shirt that you buy at lunchtime or that bracelet when you are
walking down the street. However, with social isolation, there is a strong tendency to save
money and reduce superfluous spending, caused by fear of unemployment, attention to saving
money, and the possibility of recession. With this, the consumption in impulsive purchases
also fall a lot, and so the market is adapting to the new changes.