Changes in transport and consumer behaviour as a result of retail restriction on Sundays on the example of Łódź (Poland)

The goal of the study is to show how the restrictions on commercial businesses affected travel behaviour among residents of a large city in Central Europe (here: Lodz, Poland). To achieve this objective, a survey was conducted in autumn 2021 on a cohort of over 6,000 Lodz residents aged 13+ using the mixed-mode CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing) and CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interviewing) techniques. The research sample size reflected the population demographics was representative. The results were utilised to identify particular groups of residents with specific transport and consumer behaviour using the clustering method. Five clusters were determined in which a correlation between the respondents’ traits (i.e., age and occupation) and transport and consumer behaviour could be discerned. Since both the oldest and the youngest respondents display low mobility (especially on Sundays), the Sunday retail restrictions have had little impact on the way they organise their time. People of working age (30-44 and 45-64 years old) exhibit different patterns, however. Being the most mobile population group, they declare that the restrictions have had a negative impact on their time management.