The COVID pandemic’s impact on online shopping: the reason why I chose this topic to write about is that, nowadays, people are more used to shopping online than going to the shop. The traditional way of shopping is vanishing nowadays. Today, one of the major reasons behind this change is the COVID-19 pandemic. We survived 2 years of this pandemic, but all our activities have changed because of it. One of the major cause is that people have started to feel comfortable and safe with online shopping. Not everyone is comfortable with online shopping. Many people love to shop traditional by seeing through and touching the object, but this pandemic didn’t leave any people, because coming outside their homes is restricted and as a result forcing them to purchase online. Grocery store shelves were quickly emptied at first, and as the supply chains tightened, everyone started to scramble for basic food staples and necessities. This is the worldwide pandemic, but let’s see about the two surveys, one by UNCTAD and another by Rakuten Insight.
According to the survey conducted by UNCTAD and the eCommerce Association in collaboration with the Brazilian Network Association, it shows that online shopping has increased by 6 to 10 percent across most categories of products in Brazil. Most of the categories include electronics, gadgets, gardening at home, education, furniture, household products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, personal care products, and essentials. Though online purchases rise, consumer spending on online purchases falls. It is to be said that the average spending per online shopper has dropped by 70%. This survey also reveals that online consumption in Brazil has shifted, as a large proportion of buyers purchase necessities such as food, medicine, cosmetics, and beverages. This survey also brings about differences between the countries; whereas China and Turkey have the strongest rise, Switzerland and Germany have the weakest rise. Also, people who are aged between 22 and 44 reported a stronger increase compared with younger and older ones.
The COVID pandemic’s impact on online shopping in India could be analysed by a survey conducted by Rakuten Insight in May 2020. Nearly 59 to 60 percent of respondents agreed that they purchased online during the pandemic. Because the government declared a lockdown and as they practised social distancing. Even after the lockdown, people tried to avoid going outside because of the fear factor and precaution. The most purchased items are similar to those in other countries, such as food, medicine, personal care products, and household products. Most of the responses that people gave to the changeover were that they were practising social distancing and that they wanted to spend minimal time outside. Their country has restricted all non-essential businesses to avoid crowds in stores and supermarkets. In online shopping, they could purchase more product, or people infected with COVID can get them delivered to their door if they are quarantined. These were the major reasons that people imposed.
Another important effect of this pandemic is that many brands which were available only in traditional shops lost their customers. Consumers said they switched brands during this pandemic because people were in need of daily essentials. They may be forced to change their brands because of the unavailability, but of course, they could be used and impressed. Now, the severity seems to be reduced. But as shoppers became accustomed to online shopping, it became the norm. Now almost all people have been vaccinated completely, and the post-pandemic shopping trends are emerging. There is a rising demand for contactless payments and e-commerce, which in turn makes people prefer online shopping. Many traditional stores and services were facing a decline, and in fact, many traditional shopkeepers lost their livelihoods. However, they began as retailers and can still make their business successful with the help of technology.