With the one-year mark of the pandemic behind us and a semblance of ‘normal’ life emerging, I can’t help but think about all the ways daily life has changed during this strange period of time and wonder what the lasting impact will be.
Many of us, particularly those like me who work in an office setting, were forced to slow down and spend more time at home. We discovered we could work from anywhere if given the right tools and a strong internet connection — though an ergonomic chair would have been nice. No longer commuting meant we could stop buying on-the-go options and sit down as a family at the breakfast table instead. With date nights canceled, we cooked more meals at home.
In fact, Americans now prepare the majority of their meals at home and nearly half are eating breakfast there every day — significant shifts from pre-pandemic life.
We saw this in the way orange juice sales surged over the last year. With its health benefits, orange juice became a simple option for the more than half of Americans seeking out beverages that support immunity. It has also been the perfect fit for the more than two-thirds seeking easy-to-prepare foods and drinks.
The pandemic placed a bright spotlight on orange juice and its healthy benefits.
As more of us are able to return safely to offices and resume activities outside our homes, we can be assured that some parts of pandemic life will stick while others will be gone away with quickly (I’m looking at you makeshift office/dining chair). Today, a picture is beginning to emerge of what our new ‘normal’ will look like.
For some, working from home is here to stay as companies embrace more flexibility for traditional office employees. For others, there will likely be a few lasting changes to the way they shop, spend their free time, and eat.
When asked about life post-pandemic in a recent poll, 77% of consumers said they expect to cook more than they did pre-pandemic as a way to cut costs, eat healthier, and try new things. Many also indicated they will continue to be interested in immune-supporting products to help prevent illness. Additionally, about 70% expect to shop more online for delivery.
The good news: orange juice has a place in all of this. Breakfast at home will likely continue for many. But for those who find themselves back in the daily grind of a morning commute, there’s opportunity to make sure orange juice stays top of mind through robust marketing of its health benefits, continued e-commerce campaigns, and positioning it as a versatile beverage and ingredient.
While the ‘new normal’ may allow us to return to many of the things we enjoyed about pre-pandemic life, we will also be carrying the experiences of the past year with us. Those who grew to enjoy a glass of OJ every day will hopefully continue to do so. But we’ll be here to remind them, just in case.