Three Out of Five People Will Avoid Black Friday Shopping, Football Games and Holiday Parades Due to COVID

Rhea-AI Summary

Qualtrics (NASDAQ: XM) research indicates that the pandemic continues to influence consumer behavior, with only 38% of working Americans comfortable participating in holiday sales events. The study reveals that 70% of Americans will let the pandemic impact their purchasing decisions, favoring online shopping. Most support vaccination requirements for businesses, though comfort levels for traditional holiday activities remain low, with less than half feeling safe at events. A divide exists regarding vaccination at gatherings, with 59% planning to travel for the holidays but only 44% feeling safe doing so.

Positive

• 59% of consumers support businesses requiring vaccinations for customers and employees.
• 70% of Americans are considering the pandemic in their purchase decisions, suggesting increased awareness and adaptability.

Negative

• Only 38% are comfortable with participating in major sales events.
• Less than half of Americans feel safe attending holiday traditions and events.
• 35% plan to shop more online rather than in stores, indicating a potential decline in in-person retail sales.

The pandemic continues to impact shopping habits, with over 20% saying they will buy more comfortable clothes and more technology

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59% say they support businesses with vaccine requirements for customers and employees vs. 21% who are opposed

PROVO, Utah & SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- New research from Qualtrics (Nasdaq: XM) reveals the holiday season will be far from a return to normal this year, with fewer than half of working Americans (38%) saying they are comfortable participating in major sales events like Black Friday or other in-person holiday activities, including Thanksgiving Day football games (36%) and holiday parades (33%).

COVID remains a major concern for holiday shoppers and celebrators during this challenging season, as hard-hit U.S. businesses navigate changing vaccination and COVID safety policies while battling supply chain and labor issues. Even as cities, including New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco, implement new rules requiring proof of vaccination, U.S. consumers are divided on this next phase of vaccine policy. The majority (59%) support businesses requiring customers and employees to be vaccinated, while 21% are opposed. The full results of the study can be found here.

These findings demonstrate that, while business leaders hoped a COVID vaccine would bring stability and relief to the retail market, the pandemic continues to pose challenges. This year, the majority of Americans (70%) say their purchasing decisions will be affected by the pandemic, with 35% saying they intend to do more shopping online rather than in stores.

For those who do venture out to find holiday gifts, food and entertainment, mask requirements are more palatable than vaccine requirements. When asked about different combinations of mask and vaccine policies, more people (61%) say they feel comfortable in stores where masks are required for everyone, than where vaccines are required for everyone (49%).

More key findings:

• The pandemic continues to shape purchasing habits. After shopping more online, the top ways the pandemic is affecting shopping plans are: 24% say they will buy more comfortable clothes, 21% will buy more technology for personal use and 19% will buy more tools or technology for remote work.
• Most are uncomfortable with typical holiday events. Fewer than half of people feel comfortable with holiday traditions like office parties (45%), holiday travel (44%), religious services (41%), Thanksgiving Day football games or other sporting events (36%) and New Year’s Eve parties and Thanksgiving Day Parades (33%).
• Vaccines will be a source of contention at holiday gatherings this year. Half (50%) of people are worried about holiday gatherings because of COVID, and 52% say vaccines will be a source of contention at gatherings this year — with Democrats, vaccinated people and younger people more likely to be worried than their counterparts.
• Some are avoiding unvaccinated family and friends. 19% of people have unvaccinated family members or friends they will not visit this season because of their vaccination status.
• Holiday travel is happening, but most don’t feel it is safe. While 59% are planning to travel for the holidays, only 44% feel comfortable with holiday travel.

Methodology

This study was fielded between Oct. 12 and Oct. 15, 2021. Respondents were selected from a randomized panel and considered eligible if they live in the United States, are at least 18 years of age and are employed full time or part time. The total number of respondents was 1,309. Respondents who did not pass quality standards were removed.

For the full results of this study, please visit: qualtrics.com/blog/customers-safety-holiday-shopping/

To learn more about Qualtrics’ Vaccination and Testing manager, click here.

About Qualtrics

Qualtrics, the leader and creator of the Experience Management (XM) category, is changing the way organizations manage and improve the four core experiences of business—customer, employee, product and brand. Over 13,500 organizations around the world use Qualtrics to listen, understand and take action on experience data (X-data™)—the beliefs, emotions and intentions that tell you why things are happening, and what to do about it. The Qualtrics XM Platform™ is a system of action that helps businesses attract customers who stay longer and buy more, engage employees who build a positive culture, develop breakthrough products people love and build a brand people are passionate about. To learn more, please visit qualtrics.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211122006527/en/

Erica Evans

press@qualtrics.com

Source: Qualtrics

FAQ

What were the key findings of the Qualtrics survey regarding holiday shopping habits in 2021?

The Qualtrics survey revealed that 38% of working Americans feel comfortable participating in holiday sales events, with 70% indicating the pandemic will influence their purchasing decisions.

How does consumer sentiment about vaccinations affect holiday gatherings according to the Qualtrics study?

The study found that 59% of respondents support vaccination policies in businesses, yet 52% are concerned that vaccines will be a contentious issue during holiday gatherings.

What percentage of Americans are planning to travel for the holidays despite safety concerns?

59% of Americans are planning to travel for the holidays, but only 44% feel comfortable doing so, indicating significant safety concerns.

How has the pandemic impacted shopping preferences according to Qualtrics' research?

The pandemic has led to 35% of surveyed consumers planning to shop more online rather than in physical stores, reflecting changing shopping habits influenced by safety concerns.