Influence of the Covid-19 crisis on the consumption habits of university students in Arequipa

Abstract

The present investigation shows the influence of the Covid-19 crisis on the consumption habits of Arequipa university students, with the objective of knowing in what way and what elements of the consumption habits were really influenced and how they varied before and during the pandemic and the perspectives for the future. This study took into account background information from other investigations of the Covid-19 crisis carried out in different countries and different age groups. We then collected data from a sample of 382 university students and descriptively analyzed changes in consumer needs, consumer attitudes, place of purchase, and the different categories of products and services that were influenced by this crisis. The study found that the pandemic led Arequipa's university students to make more rational purchases, were more concerned about the search for information for making purchase decisions, and prioritized health over social need and self-esteem. Some habits acquired will remain after the pandemic is controlled, such as more online shopping and virtual education.