What do Standards of Hygiene and Sanitation Consumers Expect in a Post-Covid World?

Introduction

The Coivd-19 pandemic has flagged off a series of changes as far as consumer behavior is concerned. The significant changes in consumers have been more awareness concerning the necessity of hygiene, proper standards of sanitation, and relevant monitoring for health reasons. These changes in consumer behavior are impacting various industries and sectors of business.

Increased consumer awareness has led to a surge in the adoption of unique smart solutions, whether technology for traceability, safety, and hygiene, or individual behavior and practices. These consumer traits have changed the dynamics of retail, and for businesses to earn consumers’ trust again, they must satisfy the worries and expectations of consumers post covid. With some simple and innovative approaches, here are a few ways you can meet consumers’ expectations in the post covid world when it comes to hygiene and sanitation. 

Expectations of Consumers in The Post Covid World

1. More frequent and visible cleaning compared to pre-covid times

Cleanliness will soon become the most critical factor for consumers when choosing the right businesses. More frequently cleaned and visibly cleaner premises may be more favored than those which lack standards of hygiene. It may be taken as a direct indicator of customer care and as something that cannot be compromised. Hence, businesses must choose to increase their store cleaning frequency and opt for better cleaning solutions with anti-viral and disinfectant properties. 

2. Improved hygiene measures

Better hygiene measures will be needed to ensure that the premises are clean and sanitized. Following governmental guidelines, regular hygiene checks, disinfecting surfaces, better handling of trash, etc., must be adhered to along with specific hygiene standards depending on your business to reduce the possibility of spreading covid. 

3. Allowing only asymptomatic individuals inside

Temperature checks at the entrance must also be done, and only those who have no symptoms must be allowed inside the stores. Even 

4. Urging other consumers to wear masks

As a consumer, visiting stores and outlets post covid may be uncomfortable also since some people falter at following covid protocols. As a business, to win the consumer’s trust, a company must urge all of its customers to wear masks at all times when visiting the store. Staff must be educated at handling those who do not follow these rules. 

5. Contactless options

Since covid can be contracted from surfaces, consumers would expect businesses to provide them with as many contactless options as possible. Be it a QR code to scan for a menu, a contactless payment option, or even curbside pickup for essentials, these contactless options will encourage consumers to choose your business over those who still follow traditional shopping practices. 

6. Disposables over reusables

A consumer in this post covid world will expect businesses to provide disposable options over reusable ones for the matter of safety. Reusable in a company, like towels, gowns, cutlery, packaging bags, etc., may be replaced with use and throw ones. This makes it easier for the consumer and for a business that otherwise may have to spend a lot of time and money to sanitize each one after use. 

7. Stricter social distancing norms

Today, consumers may not feel comfortable being at a place that defies the social distancing norms. For stores or offices with smaller floor plans, providing appointments and monitoring the number of crowds must be done. Social distancing must be encouraged even amongst consumers. For the confidence and safety of your customers, those who do not want to follow the norms must be asked to leave the premises. 

8. More strictly sanitized restrooms

Restrooms with more stringent sanitation measures rank higher for most businesspeople post-covid. This is because bathrooms are necessary for most businesses, and the lack of better-sanitized ones can mean losing trade in an already weak economy. Therefore, companies must provide visibly cleaner restrooms and disinfect and sanitize them very frequently. 

9. More frequent cleaning of high touch areas

Consumers today expect a business to regularly sanitize the high-touch areas like handles, railings, carts, Pos machines, cash registers, and other reusables being used. Ensuring these areas are being sanitized will go a long way in building customer trust and providing much-needed comfort to your consumers.

10. Multiple check out kiosks for less crowding

While waiting in line was normal a few years ago, this may raise consumer anxiety in the post covid world. A business must provide its consumers with multiple exit points and checkout options for building customer trust. Go for innovative check-out solutions like shop online and store pick up, online deliveries, self-checkout scanners, and multiple check-out registers. 

11. Increased transparency

In the changing consumer habits of this post covid economy, the most crucial factor to consider while meeting consumer expectations is maintaining higher levels of transparency about the business. Display and inform consumers of minor details that may bring more trust, like the last cleaning time, seals over reusables to show that it is sanitized, or providing sanitizer points for customers and items can make the consumer more reliant on you as a business. 

Conclusion

The pandemic has been hard on businesses, but as consumers too, developing a level of trust to venture out again can be difficult. Any lapses in the hygiene standards of a company that a consumer chooses can directly impact the health and well-being of not just them but also their family. Considering this fact, consumers only want the highest hygiene standards and regular sanitization drives from the business. Those who meet these standards will grow even during these trying times of the covid pandemic.