Shifts in shopping trips and multicategory interactions post COVID-19

This study examines shifts in shopping activity patterns among grocery and non-grocery purchasers in Nagpur, India, by comparing pre- and post-COVID-19 scenarios. Using descriptive statistics and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) on 1,546 household survey responses, the study explores the interdependencies between virtual (internet-based) and physical (in-store) purchasing behaviors while accounting for socio-demographics, internet experience, accessibility, and attitudes. The findings reveal a significant increase in virtual grocery and non-grocery purchasing, coupled with a decline in physical store visits for both categories. SEM results indicate strong interconnections between purchasing categories, demonstrating that changes in virtual or physical shopping behavior in one category influence the other. Furthermore, positive attitudes toward e-commerce significantly drive virtual shopping adoption while reducing physical shopping. Factors such as internet experience, household size, and income levels also shape purchasing behavior, with lower- and middle-income groups exhibiting a stronger shift toward virtual grocery shopping. Despite extensive research on virtual shopping adoption, few studies have examined the interdependencies between grocery and non-grocery purchasing behaviors in a post-pandemic context, particularly in heterogeneous urban settings like Indian cities. By addressing this gap, this study offers valuable insights for urban planners, retailers, and policymakers to refine travel demand forecasting models, enhance e-commerce infrastructure, bridge the digital divide, and promote sustainable transportation policies.