How is the COVID-19 pandemic influencing consumer behavior? A biweekly Deloitte survey explores sentiment and spending across several categories.

Global anxiety appears to be on the upswing. After months of easing, anxiety levels are increasing again in 12 of 18 countries included in Deloitte’s State of the Consumer Tracker survey. The most powerful recent shifts were measured in Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Japan, France, and Germany, as many of those countries confront a new rise in cases.

Less than half the world (48%) feels safe doing everyday activities such as going to stores or restaurants, according to the latest data from the biweekly survey. Those sentiments vary from country to country, however, reflecting realities on the ground. Previously, worldwide feelings of safety had been increasing incrementally since the first survey launched in mid-April.

Health concerns gradually decreased from April through June but showed no further improvement in July. Surprisingly, financial concerns have not increased notably, as monetary and fiscal interventions have largely continued to provide relief to consumers in some countries. Overall, health concerns outweigh financial concerns, as they have throughout the course of the survey.

Tracker results are based on surveys of 1,000 consumers in 18 countries, with the latest survey fielded between July 21 and July 25. 

This survey was released by our US firm.