According to a recent survey, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the online shopping experience in developed economies.
The survey examined how the pandemic has impacted the way consumers use digital and e- solutions. The countries in the survey included Brazil, Italy, China, Turkey, Germany, the Republic of Korea, South Africa, the Russian Federation and Switzerland.
Because of the pandemic, over half of the survey’s respondents rely more on the internet for shopping, news, health-based information and digital entertainment. The survey also shows that customers of developing economies are contributing to the significant shift to online shopping.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift towards a more digital world. The changes we make now will have lasting effects as the world economy begins to recover,” the UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi said.
From his remark, he stated that the growth of global online shopping highlights the urgency of seizing the opportunity. This move ensured that all countries should change from pandemic response to recovery.
Purchase Rise but Spending Falls
In conjunction with Brazilian Network Information Center (NIC.br) and Inveon, the survey stated that online shopping increased between 6-10% in all categories.
Among the major gainers of this shift include ICT/electronics, gardening/do-it-yourself, pharmaceuticals, education, furniture/household products and cosmetics/personal care categories.
Conversely, the average spending of each shopper monthly has reduced. Consumers in developing and developed economies have put off significant expenses, with those in evolving economies concentrating more on vital products.
Moreover, tourism and travel industries experience the most severe drop of nearly 75% spending per online shopper.
Drop Of Average Monthly Online Shopping Per Product Category
Since COVID-19, the increase in online shopping varies between countries. The highest rise was notable in China and Turkey and the lowest in Switzerland and Germany, where their people were already involved in e-commerce.
Moreover, the survey discovered that women and people with post-secondary education made more online purchases than others. People between 25 -44 years conveyed a tremendous increase than younger ones. For instance, in Brazil, the increase was peak among the most exposed population and women.
Similarly, in the survey responses, minor traders in China were ready to sell their products online than those in South Africa.
The founder and CEO of Inveon, Yomi Kastro, said, “Companies that put e-commerce at the heart of their business strategies are prepared for the post-COVID-19 era. There is an enormous opportunity for industries that are still more used to physical shopping, such as fast-moving consumer goods and pharmaceuticals.”
“In the post-COVID-19 world, the unparalleled growth of e-commerce will disrupt national and international retail frameworks. This is why policymakers should adopt concrete measures to facilitate e-commerce adoption among minor and medium enterprises, create specialized talent pools and attract international e-commerce investors,” stated Carlo Terreni, President of NetComm Suisse eCommerce Association.
Changes Appear Permanent
From the survey results, changes in online activities may outlive the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nonetheless, people in China and Turkey said they would go on with online shopping and concentrate more on vital products henceforth. Better still, they will continue to travel even more locally, signifying an enduring impact on global tourism.