Big purchases are the ones that people don’t do every month, such as a fridge or a private medical insurance. The All Russian Public Opinion Research centre’s survey shows how consumer behaviour of Russians changed in 2020.

43% of Russians didn’t make any long-term purchases in 2020

Considering the fact that the year hasn’t finished yet, this figure may come down a bit, as the survey only reviewed purchases for the first 8 months of the year. In 2019, 36% of respondents didn’t make long-term purchases.
Mobile phones were the item leading the rating of big purchases. For Russians it’s indeed a large investment and many people take loans to be able to afford the latest iPhone. 21% of respondents have already purchased iPhones during the 8 months of 2020, compared to 21% in 2019.

15% of locals bought some appliances (fridge, washing or dishwashing machine, stoves) in 2020 (17% in 2019). Looks like this year appliances are in more demand, due to pandemics.

Furniture or home renovations have been purchased by 15% of Russians in 8 months of this year, which shows 50% higher demand, as compared with 2019, when 15% of respondents purchased such goods for the whole year.

It seems that things that make homes more comfortable and liveable are in high demand this year, since people are unable to spend on travel and entertainment. Staying at home out of necessity, it’s best to make it nicer.

Computers and notebooks had been purchased by 7% of Russian participants this year (6% in 2019), which is nearly 70% highest demand than during the last year. It’s unsurprising as schoolkids and students had to study online for months during quarantine and if the family had several children, each of them needed his or her own device, while previously they could use the same computer in turns.

TV’s have already been purchased by 8% of participants this year (compare to 8% for the whole of 2019).

Even tours don’t show particular slowing down: 8% of locals bought a tour this year. Last year 12% of respondents purchased tours, but the survey was conducted to include items purchased within only 8 months of 2020. Possibly, people are buying local tours while they are unable to travel internationally, which is cheaper, and allows to increase spending on other big purchases.

Read also:

• What Russians buy?
• Survey: What is the most important thing in life for Russians?
• The keys to success in life, according to Russians
• Salaries in Russia: How much do Russian women earn?