Navigating economic crises in central and Eastern Europe: consumer coping strategies and resilience

Purpose This study examines the impact of economic crises on consumer behaviour, focusing on coping strategies and consumer resilience theories. Specifically, it explores consumer responses to economic challenges stemming from the Ukraine conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland, Hungary and Slovenia. Design/methodology/approach The research utilized an online survey of 1,544 respondents representative of age, gender, education and residence. A k-means cluster analysis identified three distinct consumer segments based on adaptive behaviours, demographics and psychographics. To strengthen construct validity across cultures, the study incorporated back-translation and cross-national scale reliability testing prior to segmentation analysis. Findings Three consumer unique segments demonstrating emerged: resilient shoppers with stable consumption habits, balanced financial approaches; crisis adapters exhibiting high price consciousness, significant shifts in consumption and ethical balancers who emphasized ethical consumption despite economic constraints. Practical implications The findings guide policymakers and businesses in crafting strategies to mitigate the impact of economic crises. Policymakers can focus on essential industries like food production and distribution. Businesses should adapt marketing strategies to increased price sensitivity by emphasizing affordability and sustainable options. Social implications The study underscores the role of resilience and ethical consumption in mitigating social impacts of economic crises. By understanding consumer behaviour, institutions can foster community resilience and promote inclusive policies that address diverse consumer needs. Originality/value The study enhances coping and resilience theories by linking demographic and psychographic factors to coping strategies during crises. It highlights ethical consumption and provides cross-country insights into consumer behaviour. Unlike prior resilience research, this study conceptualizes ethical consumption both as a coping tactic and a marker of value-driven consumer identity.