With the lifting of restrictions, which began gradually on May 15, the main activities Romanians want to do more often are walks in the park (32%), going on vacation in Romania (26%) and playing sports outdoors (25%), followed by attending cultural events (17%), going to the gym (15%) and going to children’ playgrounds (14%).
At the opposite end, activities Romanians plan to do less often than before the lockdown include eating at the mall (53%), vacationing abroad (45%) and going to the cinema (45%).
The survey polled 600 people countrywide in the period May 14–18, 2020.
The pandemic has changed consumer shopping habits and appetite for shopping in malls. Whereas 30% of respondents went to the mall to eat at least once a week before lockdown and 18% went to malls once a week to shop for clothing, most plan to visit malls less often to avoid crowded spaces and due to financial constraints.
Lockdown has also increased the share of customers familiarized with online shopping and retailers will seek to maintain their customers and market share.
“As people adapt to the new normal, we are are confident instincts for socializing and experimenting will prevail and people will largely resume old habits,” said Bogdan Marcu, Partner, Retail Agency at Cushman & Wakefield Echinox.
He added shopping center visitor numbers are expected to drop, but the number of products bought and the average amount per shopping session will be higher.
Non-essential stores within shopping centers in Romania were closed at the end of March, which affected over 9,000 shops. Stores in shopping centers smaller than 15,000 sqm and those with direct access from the outside reported on June 1, and larger shopping malls may reopen starting June 15, except for restaurants and playgrounds.