Aug 25, 2020 – TRURO, NS A local group of business development organizations conducted a survey examining the impact of COVID-19 on local consumer behaviour. The survey collected 610 online responses in an attempt to better understand COVID lockdown buying behaviour and consumer expectations of local business.
The survey indicated that 92% of respondents regularly dined out prior to COVID-19, but 30% shifted to curbside pickup during the lockdown and 12% participated in delivery. Colchester residents also increased their online retail purchases 45% during lockdown. When asked what consumers plan to do going forward, 14% anticipated going back to pre-COVID habits, 48% we unsure and 38% indicated they plan to do more online and less in-person shopping.
“We wanted information that would be helpful to local small businesses,” commented Brennan Gillis, CEO of the Truro & Colchester Partnership. “This survey confirmed some of our assumptions and highlighted important opportunities as businesses look to online and delivery.”
During the COVID-19 lockdown, the Town of Truro and the Downtown Truro Partnership coordinated an online delivery service for local businesses, helping businesses get products to customers safely. 67% of respondents expressed interest in a local online delivery service.
The survey was developed jointly by the County of Colchester, the Downtown Truro Partnership, CBDC NOBL, NSCC Truro, the Town of Truro, the Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce, and the Truro & Colchester Partnership for Economic Prosperity.
For the complete survey results, businesses and residents can access it online at trurocolchester.ca.
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Brennan Gillis
CEO, Truro & Colchester Partnership for Economic Prosperity
35 Commercial St, Suite 208
Truro, Nova Scotia
Tel: 902-890-3120
Email: brennan@tcpep.ca