Two weeks after the opening of small shops, consumers' interest remains high. The study conducted by the Ministry of Economics and the study center SKDS shows that shoppers are generally responsible for their duties in the safe trading process, particularly with regard to wearing masks and distancing requirements, which are always observed by more than 93% of those surveyed, according to their own claims.
On the other hand, only 44% of respondents pointed out that they went alone, and 35% of those surveyed always make shopping lists to minimize their stay at the shop. In general, when shopping in person, customers tend to agree that they adhere to the “Safety first” principles (face masks, distance, shopping less frequently, going to shop alone, making a shopping list).
Customers not only meet safe shopping guidelines but also recognize and understand that there are certain requirements for shops that reduce the risk of infections with Covid-19 and other viruses in this environment. Customers agree that the following factors must be considered to be safe: wearing a face mask at the point of sale (77%); disinfecting shopping trolleys, baskets and other surfaces (71%); ventilating (70%); observing two meters (66%); disinfecting hands in the shop (59%); limiting the number of visitors (59%) and shopping less frequently (51%).
More than half (58%) of the surveyed Latvian population generally agree with the statement that Covid-19 virus can be contracted in shops, while slightly more than a third (35%) of respondents tend to disagree with this statement.
The survey shows that only 26% of respondents found that they used the possibility of shopping on the Internet at all times or almost whenever possible. 43% of Latvian residents do not use Internet shopping, regardless of their residence in Riga (40%), other cities (46%), regions of Latvia (43-47%) or rural areas (44%).
The study surveyed 1,005 respondents throughout Latvia in the age group 18-75.
