01/05/2020

In-app purchases up 30% during pandemic, survey says

Almost half (49%) of the people approached by the institute declared that they intend to expand purchases by applications, after the end of social isolation (Credit: Arquivo / Agência Brasil)

During the first month of social isolation due to the covid-19 pandemic, purchases made through applications grew 30% in Brazil, according to a survey by the Locomotiva Institute, released today (29). The increase was significant in two population groups: that of people over 50 years of age and that of classes C, D and E, which, together, represent more than half of the country’s consumers.

Almost half (49%) of the people approached by the institute stated that they intend to expand purchases by applications, after the end of social isolation. In addition, about a third (32%) pointed out that they plan to reduce trips to physical stores.

The research shows that the change in consumption pattern also refers to the products placed in the carts. While 39% of respondents said they were buying more food, 53% said they had reduced the purchase of items from department stores.

A portion of the people consulted by the institute even started to use online platforms to obtain basic products, such as food, personal hygiene and cleaning products. In total, 15% of respondents informed the entity that they did not usually request food delivery. With the pandemic, however, they began placing orders for products in this category. The fee is the same for medicines. On the other hand, the percentage of people who still prefer to go to markets and pharmacies remains high, at 60% and 45%, respectively.

According to the president of Instituto Locomotiva, Renato Meirelles, the expansion of the online market was already predicted even before the pandemic. He estimates, however, that this movement would take longer to happen, were it not for the context of covid-19. Therefore, he assesses that the current circumstances have ended up driving the strengthening of applications.

The survey was conducted by listening to 1,131 consumers aged 16 and over. The questionnaire was applied in 72 cities in all Brazilian states, on April 14th and 15th.

Food delivery
According to the survey, 10% of respondents did not place orders for food delivery, but started to do with the pandemic; 25% were already customers, but intensified orders and 21% maintained the same level of orders.

Only 15% reduced the use of meal apps, which may be linked to the fact that many people have shown concern about the lack of protection of delivery personnel.

Consumer law
The survey also shows the tendency of consumers to spend less money. In order to save money, 55% of respondents said they will compare the prices of products more before closing a purchase. Reducing the volume of products in relation to what they acquired before the pandemic is the goal of 45% of the people questioned by the institute. Another 55% commented that they will normally return to buying what they already consumed.

Attention to the value of products is an important factor. According to a report by the Procon SP Foundation, released on Monday (27), 84.6% of the 1,813 consumers participating in the survey faced abusive prices in commercial establishments. The practice predominated among products with greater demand during the pandemic, such as alcohol gel and hospital masks. Food products, personal hygiene and cleaning products appeared in smaller numbers, but the perception of rising costs was the same.

Until last Friday (24), Procon SP had received 4,061 reports of abusive or unjustified prices. In a note, he adds that 25.2% of respondents reported problems with purchases made over the internet. The most common complaints are delay in delivery (45%) and missed delivery (27.1%), which, says Procon SP, signals that transportation companies have had difficulties in logistics, which must be remedied, so that consumers do not have their rights violated.

To carry out the balance sheet, the agency’s teams inspected 2,115 pharmacies, supermarkets and hypermarkets in 154 cities in the state of São Paulo. The action resulted in 1,830 notifications to merchants.

Author: Isto É Dinheiro Source Agência Brasil

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