The time of crisis has forced many to change some of their behaviors when purchasing goods for everyday needs, and there has generally been a reduction in purchases along with prior analysis of what is truly necessary, as well as a complete abstention from buying certain products, as shown by the results of the GfK Croatia research.
Most notably, around 70 percent of citizens shop more cautiously and only buy what they need, while only about 11 percent of citizens have not changed their consumption habits even in times of crisis and spend the same as before. Another approximately 13 percent of citizens have not changed their habits, but because they were already at a minimum level of consumption and cannot afford much, the research results indicate. This research, conducted in March this year through personal surveys in households with a sample of one thousand citizens aged 15 and older, shows that more cautious, thoughtful purchasing of only what they truly need is more prevalent among citizens in northern Croatia and Slavonia (77 percent) and Dalmatia (75 percent). Women are more inclined to rationalization than men (74 versus 65 percent), and thoughtful purchasing is more pronounced among individuals over 55 years old (75 percent), the research results show. About 38 percent of respondents postpone the purchase of certain items or wait for discounts, monitoring sales.
