Has Covid Changed Consumer Habits for Good?

In this episode of Life Solved, �� researchers explore the impact of the pandemic on our shopping habits and consumer attitudes.

We ask if Covid has changed the way we shop forever and where the trends and opportunities lie for businesses.

�� local Tati Kapaya heads for her local shopping district to find out how local businesses have responded to a year of lockdowns and restrictions.

And Professor Deborah Sugg Ryan and Dr Lisa Jack share their observations on the high street’s evolution from traditional retail to diverse mixed-use spaces for services. Championing the creativity of retailers during the pandemic, we hear about increasing consumer trends towards upcycling, repair and hire models. Lisa also explains the hidden costs of transitioning to online businesses from bricks and mortar and how return culture is impacting business.

Dr Jason Sit shares his thoughts on the evolving emotional interests of consumers as a result of the pandemic period. He also tells us about research findings into how social distancing impacted our ability to shop with focus during the pandemic.

How has Covid inspired entrepreneurism and innovation in global supply chains? Dr Matthew Anderson and Professor David Pickernell discuss acceleration in sustainable models for fashion, resilience for small businesses and the circular economy whilst offering some hopeful insights into how our trade might be getting fairer and more ethical on a global scale.

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Podcast transcript

John Worsey: You're listening to Life Solved from the ��. In this series, researchers will be sharing their thoughts and ideas on how life looks set to change long term as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. At the �� here in the UK, research continued throughout the pandemic to seek ways of meeting the challenges facing humanity today. In June 2021, the crisis still has far-reaching effects on the opportunities, livelihoods, health and well-being of people worldwide. We're exploring how our working lives have changed as well as our relationship with democracy. We're looking at how the crisis has impacted our natural environments and changed sustainability agendas. And this time we're taking a look at how the shopping habits, ideas and concerns of consumers as well as businesses have changed – in some ways for good. Today, �� researchers share their thoughts on how our high streets, economies and supply chains can take advantage of opportunities, and how some of them are adapting to challenging environments. We start with a report from the heart of �� shopping districts. Tati Kapaya has watched life change throughout the lockdown periods. She's been chatting to local business owners.

Tati Kapaya: Hi, I'm a Tati Kapaya and I have been a local in �� for the last four years and I'm currently standing on Palmerston Road. Before the pandemic, this used to be a very vibrant place, lots of restaurants, everyone going to the beach. And now it is quite evident that things have quieted down a bit. It's feeling a lot more vibrant these days as things are starting to get back to normal. But I think it will be a few months until it's back to how it used to be.

Connie: I am Connie, I am one of the committee members at The Package Free Larder, I'm also one of the managers here and I volunteer on the committee. We're a non-profit community project to reduce plastic pollution. The more plastic free sh

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