A QUALITATIVE INVESTIGATION OF THE IMPACTS OF COVID-19 LOCKDOWN ON RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AMONG WOMEN IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

This study investigates the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on sustainable consumption pattern of women in Enugu state, Nigeria. Several studies have investigated the impact of COVID- 19 on consumer behaviour in Nigeria but none focused on how the pandemic affected the consumers’ responsible consumption pattern. This study is a qualitative one in which semi-structured interview was used to gather data for the study. Seventy participants were recruited using purposive sampling technique. All participants had strongly held views and provided unique insights into their experiences. Thematic analysis was applied to all interview transcripts. Findings revealed that consumers reduced quantity of products consumed and transformed products in sustainable ways during the COVID-19 lockdown. The study however found that the COVID-19 lockdown did not make most of the consumers to dispose of waste more responsibly. The findings of this study contribute to existing literature on responsible consumption and consumer behavior and could be used by producers, retailers, relevant government organisations and campaigners to promote and sustain responsible consumption.

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