Survey: Global Shoppers Show ‘Appetite’ for Travel

Photo Source: Globsl Blue

Over half of the world’s shoppers are keen on returning to travel overseas despite Covid-19, according to a survey released by tax free shopping provider Global Blue.

More specifically, Global Blue’s survey of 30,000 international shoppers found that 55 percent are willing to travel abroad if restrictions are lifted, stressing at the same time the need for sanitary and social distancing measures.

Elite and frequent shoppers are most likely to plan an international trip, with 60 percent intending to travel in the short term, against 50 percent of infrequent shoppers.

According to the survey, leading shopping nationalities in the elite and frequent shoppers categories – Russians (80 percent), Americans (70 percent) and South East Asians (60 percent) – expressed interest in traveling in the coming month.

Global Blue analysts add that affluent and high-frequency segments appear to have a stronger desire to travel.

“While this has been an extremely challenging time, it is encouraging to see that valuable international shoppers are showing an increased appetite to return to global travel,” said Virginie Alem, VP Customer Value Creation at Global Blue.

Alem stressed however that bringing international shoppers back into the store meant retailers had to “allay health and safety concerns” with innovative solutions.

In terms of travel period, the survey found that 60 percent of shoppers from Russia and 35 percent from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) were eager to travel in 2020, while 45 percent from China, 50 percent from the US, and 50 percent from South East Asia are more likely to postpone their travel until the beginning of 2021.

In terms of shopping and travel during Covid-19 times, shoppers polled said safety is key: 65 percent who planned to delay their travel to 2021 attributed the decision to concerns around safety and sanitation.

In this context, Asian shoppers preferred regional destinations, with 50 percent of Chinese shoppers and 70 percent of South East Asian shoppers viewing the Asia-Pacific region as safe, compared to 30 percent and 35 percent, respectively, for Europe.

The majority of shoppers from the US (60 percent), Russia (65 percent) and the GCC (50 percent) said they felt more confident visiting Europe.

The report notes, that shopping is still a main focus in the aftermath of the pandemic, mainly for US travelers (75 percent), Chinese (65 percent) and Russians (60 percent).