Exploratory analysis of factors affecting levels of home deliveries before, during, and post- COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected shopping behavior and has accelerated the adoption of online shopping and home deliveries. We administered an online survey among the population in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro Metropolitan area on household and demographic characteristics, e-commerce preferences and factors, number of deliveries made before and during the COVID-19 lockdown, and number of deliveries expected to make post-pandemic. In this research, we conduct an exploratory analysis of the factors that affect home delivery levels before, during, and post-COVID-19. There was a significant increase in home deliveries during the COVID-19 lockdown relative to the before COVID-19 period. A high proportion of the households that made less than three deliveries per month before the pandemic stated they would order more online post-pandemic. A majority of the households that ordered more than three deliveries per month before COVID-19 are expected to revert to their original levels post-pandemic. The two variables most positively affecting the likelihood of online shopping were access to delivery subscriptions and income. Tech-savvy individuals are expected to make more home delivery orders post-pandemic compared to before and during COVID-19. Health concerns positively increase the likelihood of ordering online during the pandemic and post-pandemic. Older and retired individuals are less likely to use online deliveries. However, the likelihood of older and retired individuals ordering more home deliveries increased during the pandemic lockdown. Households with disabled members, single workers, and respondents concerned about online experience and health are more likely to be first-time online shoppers during the pandemic.