Covid-19, consumer responses, and impulse buying behavior: Anxiety levels of consumers and the role of traditional and new media

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COVID-19 outbreak has psychologically affected consumers in Turkey, and it reflects to consumer behavior. The purpose of the study is to examine the relationship between impulse buying behavior and anxiety levels in the COVID-19 epidemic process and to determine the changes in consumer responses as well as the role of traditional media and social media. The secondary purpose of the study is to determine whether consumers differentiate regarding impulse buying behaviors and anxiety levels on the basis of their socio-demographic characteristics. Online questionnaires were conducted with 776 consumers throughout Turkey. The results revealed that approximately 42% of the consumers bought and stored large amounts of products. Consumers bought products mostly in the fresh food category, as well as in the personal hygiene and household cleaning categories. Consumers preferred brands and intermediaries that they thought were healthy and hygienic. Official statements and TV news were the most important source motivating people to shop beyond normal. It is determined that more than 20% of the consumers followed COVID-19 news from social media groups. It was found that the level of anxiety was higher in young, women, and singles. During the COVID-19 outbreak, there has been a positive correlation between impulse buying behavior and anxiety level.