Summary
Over the last few years, there has been a huge transformation in retail. In relation to online platforms increasing their retail footprints, "last mile" suppliers, and checkout-free stores, the substantial limits imposed by COVID-19 offered a platform for large-scale experimentation. Brands and retailers were compelled to adapt to the new realities of what it meant to shop. And customers quickly adapted to – and capitalized on – internet buying. According to the US Census Bureau, eCommerce increased by 37% in Q4 2020 compared to the same quarter the previous year.
When the pandemic struck the world, no one was prepared, and lockdowns were imposed abruptly. Our world was transformed overnight as a result of this. People were obliged to stay at home, and business operations were curtailed or ceased. With all of these changes, there have been numerous changes in online buying habits as well. This is what we'll go over in today's article to help you better understand how the pandemic changed the world of shopping.
Several things that have changed in online shopping during the COVID-19 Epidemic
After the rush subsided and customers grew accustomed to their new "normal," new habits began to emerge in late April. While consumer activity has decreased since the peak, it has remained greater than in prior years.
Shoppers began to spend more time engaging with product pages online rather than just clicking the "Add to Cart" button. This indicates that sites with enhanced media, such as video material, photo galleries, product documentation, and comparison charts, encouraged buyers to stay on a product page longer, even if they had more time to search extensively. In fact, content engagement rates grew by 32%, and time spent on a page increased by 64%, both of which were greater than any other period in 2020.
The epidemic has also aided in the classification of essential commodities. Clothing, for example, has become less relevant as more people work and learn from home. This trend has also been influenced by social isolation as a result of government shutdowns. Food, alcohol, and home improvement materials, on the other hand, increased by 12%, 16%, and 14%, respectively.
The pandemic has had an impact on our food patterns as well. Home cooking grew more popular and, in many circumstances, more cost-effective when enterprises were forced to close. Despite the fact that more people are eating out (both indoors and outdoors), it appears that home cooking is also on the menu.
According to a recent poll, 14% of respondents said they planned to increase their food purchases. In fact, according to a recent EY survey, 43% of respondents stated they want to cook more at home. Due to supply-chain constraints, grocery businesses have been forced to switch to online ordering, delivery, and contactless payments, which is wonderful news.
Several years ago many businesses didn’t even have a website as they didn’t feel the need to create one. All the business could be done and all the questions could be covered in one place - a shop itself. Nowadays, your business will simply not survive unless you have a decent online presence.
There are multiple online platforms to sell and buy, even to exchange or give away for free. In addition to such reputable and well-known platforms as Amazon and Wish, there are some sites that are not so well-secured and trusted. People also choose to shop directly from other people, for example, using such sites as Craigslist. Unfortunately, because of that many scammers have shifted into the world of online shopping. New scams have appeared and some people lose a lot of money because they are not cautious enough while buying items online. There are a lot of things you can do to protect yourself though.
For example, never disclose your credit card details unless it’s a reputable website. If you buy directly from another person, verify their identity on Nuwber first. Create strong passwords for shopping platforms and apps and don’t reveal sensitive personal details. Monitor your credit score so there’s no suspicious activity.
According to a Google survey conducted last year, shoppers discovered new brands during the shutdown. And that survey also states that 70% of these customers bought from a brand after viewing a video about it on YouTube. This simply demonstrates that internet marketing has evolved into the finest route for buyers to find new items.
When customers shop online, they are looking for more than just the thing they want to buy. They are also interested in how a company offers its digital material. It should be catching enough to pick a customer's interest in a certain brand or service. A consumer should be able to evaluate many things online without having to go to a store: the quality, the brand’s character, the reviews, etc.
Google Trends revealed Global Data from 2020 vs. 2019, revealing that search interest for "ethical brands" and "ethical online shopping" increased by 300% and 600%, respectively, in 2020. With customers spending more time at home and in their communities, companies are being reevaluated more than ever before. Increased searches for phrases like "support local businesses" and "black-owned shops" demonstrate how shoppers match their purchasing decisions with brand values.
With much more corporate companies working under tight budgets, same-day delivery and curbside pickup have become standard features for most online shoppers. In fact, global searches for "along my route" grew by 1,000% during the year, while searches for "curbside pickup" increased by 3,000%.
The epidemic altered our way of life, causing a dynamic shift in what people seek. Google has witnessed an increase in the number of search phrases connected with goods such as "breadmaker," "mesh wifi," and "hammock withstands" to help people discover pleasure and create new hobbies while they are stranded at home.
According to Google, the search interest has grown so much that 15% of search inquiries are fresh new. Companies and brands should be able to analyze such data to create goods that are in demand.
Conclusion
Our careers were influenced and transformed by the Pandemic, and some of those changes appear to be permanent. The world will not return to normalcy; rather, it will evolve into a new normal. One thing is clear when it comes to purchasing: geography is no longer a constraint. E-commerce and contactless payments are becoming more and more common.