New data reveals 36% of consumers have planned shorter shopping trips to avoid using public restrooms
CHICAGO, October 7, 2020 – Americans are going out into the world less often, and they’re also going less frequently when they are out. (Yes, we’re talking about the bathroom.) In fact, because of COVID-19 they’re planning their shopping trips specifically around the call of nature in order to avoid public restrooms. Big Red Rooster, a JLL company, partnered with Big Village Insights, the research and analytics division of Big Village, and surveyed 1,000 representative U.S. adults in September 2020 about what they expect of the post-COVID public restroom.
“Consumers are constantly thinking about safety,” said Emily Albright Miller, Vice President of Strategy at Big Red Rooster. “Especially when it comes to the cleanliness of public restrooms. Clear communication surrounding cleaning protocols, including visible, consistent time stamps of the last clean can help consumers feel safe—which could have a direct impact on whether or not they choose to order another drink or browse another rack.”
The survey found:
· 98% of consumers believe restroom cleanliness is important
· 42% have used public restrooms significantly less than they did before the pandemic
· One-third have left a public restroom without using it due to lack of cleanliness
· 36% have planned shorter shopping trips to avoid using public restrooms
· 9% have used a portable toilet to avoid going into a public restroom
· 12% say they or a family member has urinated outdoors to avoid a public restroom
· 15% report holding their breath during their restroom trip
“As we enter into what is typically the busiest time of year for shopping and traveling, it is important for organizations to understand and adapt based on what consumers need to feel safe,” said David Albert, Managing Director, Big Village Insights. “The less time people spend at a specific location, the less they will spend with that business. To avoid a negative impact on the bottom line, it is critical for brands to commit to the restroom amenities that help consumers feel safer in public restrooms.”
JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. JLL shapes the future of real estate for a better world by using the most advanced technology to create rewarding opportunities, amazing spaces and sustainable real estate solutions for our clients, our people and our communities. JLL is a Fortune 500 company with annual revenue of $18.0 billion in 2019, operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of nearly 93,000 as of June 30, 2020. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com.
Big Village is a global, full-service media and marketing services company that unites culture and commerce to move brands forward faster. We are: Driven by data. Fueled by imagination. Powered by technology. Founded in 2005, Big Village has global headquarters in New York and 16 offices across North America, the UK, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Big Village empowers clients to outperform in the present and win in the future with its vast range of marketing solutions including – insights, creative, media, data and technology. Find out more at big-village.com.