Impact of COVID-19 on shopping behavior in the U.S. by week from Mar 2020 to Jan 2021

So far, American shoppers experienced the effects of coronavirus most in the week of April 7, 2020, when over 90 percent of surveyed shoppers reported that the pandemic had an impact on their shopping behavior. While that figure had fallen to below 80 percent in September and October, it once again reached about 85 percent in November 2020 and January 2021.

Altered spending due to COVID-19

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, American consumers spent more than usual on health and hygiene products (e.g., hand sanitizers) and household cleaning products. Spending for these types of goods grew by roughly 40 percent during this period. Some of the areas that suffered the most as of May 2020, included restaurants, bars, and the travel industry.

Coronavirus cases in the U.S.

As of March 2021, there had been over 115 million confirmed coronavirus cases across the globe. Accounting for about a quarter of all cases, the United States was the most heavily affected country in the world. Specifically, states such as California, Texas, and Florida had the highest number of infections. For further information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, please visit our dedicated Facts and Figures page.