Survey Finds 3 in 5 U.S. Consumers Expect a Return to Normalcy by July 4th
By: Multi-Unit Franchisee
Published: May 13th, 2021
A new study by market research firm Numerator sheds light on how the pandemic and vaccination status will impact the way consumers celebrate, shop, and spend during the upcoming holidays of Mother's Day, Memorial Day, and Father's Day.
American consumers are generally expecting a return to normal holiday celebrations without Covid-19 restrictions. Of the 4,000 consumers surveyed, nearly a quarter (24%) say they have already celebrated at least one 2021 holiday normally, and nearly 3 in 5 (59%) expect a return to normalcy on or before the 4th of July.
According to the study, consumers who do not plan to get the vaccine are twice as likely to say they are ready to celebrate holidays on a larger scale, and 57% say they are ready to celebrate holidays normally. Contrast that with fully vaccinated consumers are much more cautious, with 36% saying they will ease back into normal celebrations, and 16% planning to stick to small scale celebrations for the foreseeable future, even after restrictions are lifted.
Some holiday-specific findings from the study:
Mother's Day 2021:
- 1 in 3 (33%) expect to celebrate Mother's Day normally this year, but most (67%) still expect a Covid impact.
- Mother's Day gift-giving intentions are lower than previous years, with 43% of consumers planning to buy gifts in 2021, vs 53% in previous years.
- Of those planning to buy gifts, the top five gifting categories include: Flowers (49% of gift givers), Gift Cards (42%), Food/Drinks (19%), Apparel (18%), and Jewelry (13%).
- Consumers are 55% less likely to go out for food or drinks to celebrate Mother's Day this year, but 15% more likely to order food for takeout or delivery.
Memorial Day 2021:
- Nearly 3 in 10 (29%) expect their Memorial Day plans to be unaffected by the pandemic, though consumers are still 51% less likely to travel vs. previous years.
- Grilling/Barbecuing and Gathering with Family/Friends are expected to remain the top celebration methods, though both are expected to see decreases in 2021 as consumers remain cautious regarding large gatherings. Consumers are 15% less likely to grill or barbecue in 2021 than previous years and 27% less likely to gather with family and friends.
- Consumers are 31% more likely to order food/drinks for takeout or delivery - the only celebration method which saw an increase from previous years.
Father's Day 2021:
- 2 in 5 consumers (40%) expect their Father's Day plan to be unaffected by Covid, the highest of any spring or summer holiday to-date.
- Just over a third (36%) of consumers plan to give their father a Father's Day gift, down from nearly half of consumers (47%) in previous years.
- The top five Father's Day gifting categories include: Gift Cards (53% of gift givers), Apparel (35%), Food/Drinks (22%), Electronics (11%), and Sporting Goods (10%).
- Going Out for Food/Drinks is expected to see the most significant decline among Father's Day celebration methods, with 15% of consumers expecting to do so in 2021, down from one-third of consumers (33%) in previous years.
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