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In a survey conducted on the impact of COVID-19 in India in March 2022, a majority of participants reported a net increase in spending across categories like groceries with a share of ** percent expecting to buy lesser quantity. However, a drop in spending was observed for categories related to leisure, travel, and dining in restaurants.

Spending models

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a grave impact on the Indian economy which come with its own array of setbacks indicating a drastic change in the pattern of market dynamics. It was observed that during the pandemic, people’s spending models changed from one of indulging to hoarding. People spent less of their income on items that were perceived as non-essential such as clothing, make up, jewelry, toys and games and electronics. By inference, more money was spent on purchase of essential goods, particularly groceries and other food items.

The second wave and the economy

The nation’s battle with the coronavirus continues bringing in the second wave. This has prompted a reimposition of strict measures including partial lockdowns and curfews in certain states to keep the contagion under control. Experts have postulated a more virulent mutation of the virus could make the second wave even deadlier. While the economy has not yet fully recovered from the first wave of the pandemic following the lockdown imposed in March 2020, India’s recovery signals a slowdown. In the case of further lockdowns, it could lead to an economic recession. Some of the worst hit sectors during the pandemic have been tourism along with automotive and power.