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The significant bonds that are currently being formed through shared experiences with families, neighborhoods and communities, and even states will change shopping behaviors and attitudes for many years to come. As consumers are finding unique ways to survive their shelter-in-place mandates, they’re increasingly turning to immediate family and neighbors for support and encouragement. Communities are banding together to support local business – ordering take out, delivery, and shopping online from Main Street stores as much as possible – while states rally around their leaders. An ingrained allegiance to buying from these concentric circles of influence will change the future landscape for small and large businesses alike.

The impact of the pandemic worldwide is generating shared experiences on a global level in ways not previously experienced by most generations. Broader awareness of our global interconnectedness – especially as it relates to our healthcare systems, financial institutions, government, national brands, and our global supply chain – is now influencing purchase decisions. In addition, as we continue to question the origins of the COVID-19 virus, many consumers will reexamine their relationship with Mother Earth. Intertwined will be a rediscovery of nature and an increased climate consciousness from a global perspective.

The drivers of loyalty are evolving to focus on safety, dependability, and kindness – causing brands to think differently about the solutions they offer to consumers. Self-actualization is no longer the connection point as consumers focus more on the safety of themselves and their families as the top priority in their hierarchy of needs. The backlash to panic buying and related inventory instability will drive consumers to anchor themselves to established brands with dependable supply chains. Brands that can offer predictability in pickup and delivery timing and processes will be the mid-term winners. Consumers will turn to brands like Starbucks, Target, Walmart, and Costco who “do the right thing” authentically for both their consumers and their employees.

As we enter a recessionary environment for the short- to mid-term future, we expect a repeat of many behaviors that emerged after the 2008 financial crisis. New solutions for rental and sharing will continue to offset traditional behaviors around owning. Crowdsourcing necessary investments to support start-up businesses and individual health needs will continue, with new methods of wealth distribution emerging. Discount retailers and private-label brands will also benefit from the financial conservatism while luxury brands will suffer significantly.

The pandemic is driving us to reevaluate our physical closeness to other members of society. When we return to normalcy, our anxiety about invisible contagions will persist, resulting in a new definition of personal space and a change in our comfort level with physical closeness. Physical spaces will be re-thought to allow for a type of always-on social distancing that will become the new norm.

Measures to improve sanitation of physical environments will be embraced as our awareness of personal hygiene is reaching unprecedented levels. Our interactions with people, products, and spaces are all happening with a self-preservation mindset. Quick trips, hands-free browsing behaviors, and contact-free solutions across the consumer journey must all be addressed.

An abrupt switch to virtual solutions for shopping, education, socializing, and healthcare is forcing an ongoing behavioral evolution that will persist into the future. Ecommerce growth will continue to dramatically outpace that of physical commerce, making understanding the unique role of the physical environment even more critical to brand ecosystems and success. Video conferences, live-streams, virtual clubs, and virtual beauty consultations will persist while telehealth and virtual visits become a healthcare expectation.