After analysing how shoppers' habits changed during the pandemic regarding food preferences, the perception of online shopping among shoppers around the world and separately in Azerbaijan, comparing the results, it became clear that the preferences of Azerbaijanis do not quite coincide with the preferences of respondents from other countries, and that the pandemic has affected on shopping preferences in different countries to varying degrees.
With the onset of the pandemic, respondents began to experience anxiety, which led to a change in exercise habits and eating habits. Anxiety and mental weakening led to the fact that respondents began to exercise less and eat more unhealthy foods, including cookies, sweets, and snacks (O’Connor, 2020). The global revenue from the confectionery industry experienced significant growth comparing 2019 and 2020 results, which is the result of increased demand during a pandemic (Statista, 2021). Nevertheless, according to the results of a study carried out among representatives of the population of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the demand for confectionery products during the pandemic did not change; respondents continued to purchase them in the same quantity as before the pandemic.
Besides the confectionery product category, there has also been an increase in demand for fresh fruits, vegetables, and products such as cereals, flour, oil, and pasta. Research by Deloitte found that nine out of ten respondents say fresh food makes them happier and that buyers are willing to pay more to buy and pay for high-quality fresh fruits and vegetables. The study also claims that during the pandemic, customers began to buy fresh fruits and vegetables almost twice as much (Renner, Baker, Cook, & States, 2020). Since during the pandemic, respondents tried to stock up on food in order to go to the store less often, the demand for grain products exceeded supply because the shelf life of grain products is much longer (Mogues, 2020).
According to the results of the survey, the demand for products falling under these categories did not change among customers in Azerbaijan, given the results of this study. Which is further confirmation that due to the pandemic, not all countries have changed buying habits in the same direction.
However, the statement of the “Bravo” supermarket chain indicated the opposite. The chain witnessed huge increase in demand to fresh food and products in cupboard category and decrease in demand towards snacks, chocolate and other products that lay under the confectionary category of foods.
With regard to human needs that support human motivation, due to the introduction of quarantine measures and the transition to work at home, respondents have suffered a social deficit. Going to restaurants or bars can help meet a person's social needs (Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, 2021). Where people eat or drink together, it can be considered as a way of socializing. Because eating together is a source of cohesion and identity, making us feel more connected to each other. There is also ample evidence that people do enjoy eating with others, that food is inherently more enjoyable and makes people happier (Herman, Polivy, Pliner, & Vartanian, 2019). This kind of restriction was undertaken by consumers in Azerbaijan, whether it was due to the forced closure of restaurants or in order to observe social isolation to maintain safety, but as a result, respondents began to spend less money on going to restaurants or bars. Talking about safety, the demand for hygiene and cleaning products increased as in the world (Sharma P. , 2020) as in Azerbaijan according to the result of the study.
Moving on to the topic of how the customers perceive online shopping and how often they used online shopping during the quarantine here the preferences of Azerbaijanis differ from the preferences of buyers around the world. While the number of online purchases has increased in the world (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, 2020) , the results of a survey among customers in Azerbaijan showed that the majority did not change the number of purchases made via the Internet, and some never even used this method.
Regarding how various aspects of online shopping affect the desire of buyers in Azerbaijan to use online shopping, and here their preferences are slightly different. One of the differences in the post-purchase experience of the consumer usually affects the satisfaction level and later re-purchase intention (Sharma A. , 2016). Nevertheless, this study showed that for buyers in Azerbaijan, post-purchase service has little impact on their further decision to continue doing shopping online. The same can be said for transactional convenience. Most of the time, customers take into consideration the ease of payment, flexible payment options while making an online purchase. And in addition to this, how is the design of the online platform through which the order passes, is it convenient to navigate the site and find the desired. These are the aspects that increase the level of satisfaction (Yakin & Farida, 2016) ; however, the results of the study showed that transaction convenience and search convenience do not affect customers' decision in Azerbaijan, at least not so much as to affect the intention to use online shopping method.
Aspects in online shopping that, in terms of the level of influence on the decision to use the method of online shopping, coincide in the world based on the available research results and in Azerbaijan are access convenience and possession convenience. Access convenience has a significant influence level on the customers' intention to make online purchases either by means of the website or by means of mobile apps (Almarashdeh, et al., 2018) . The results of studies conducted in other countries were reflected in Azerbaijan regarding possession convenience.
Delivery of the product in the shortest possible time for the online consumer is of the highest priority, as is the convenience of return. Delivery of the product in the shortest possible time for the online consumer is of the highest priority, as is the convenience of return. Online retailers are strongly encouraged to make every effort to provide customers with a high level of possession convenience (Gautam, 2018).