Analysis of a Shift in the Business Environment and Post-Covid-19 Consumer Behaviour (A Case Study of Residents in Lagos Nigeria)

Abstract

With the current global pandemic and the consequent social distancing rule limiting business and market operation, it has propelled a shift in the way businesses and organizations operate from the traditional physical market place to the adoption of information technology for business digitalization. These have also affected the attitudinal aspect of consumers and shoppers, particularly on the prospect of consumers going back to their old habits once the global crisis is over. This study, therefore, examines the conditions for consumer preference of the changing digitalized business environment in the Post-COVID-19 Era and its predictive value in the future. The study adopted a survey research design, using an online questionnaire as a research instrument among residents in Lagos. From the findings of the study, it was revealed that the perceived benefit of business digitalization, combined influence attitudes of consumers behaviour and perceived convenience is the most significant of conditions for the preference of the changing digitalized business environment that affects attitudes of consumers. On the prospect of the digitalized business environment in the post-COVID-19 business environments, the study revealed that a 1 percent change in the conditions for consumer preference of online constructs is likely to have an 8.4 percent effect on consumer’s attitudes. This, therefore, is an indication that a 1 percent change can have a significant effect on consumer’s buying behaviour. Conclusively the study recommended that online retailers should consider improving their technological infrastructure in order to offer more convenience for Customers online shoppers.