Online Shopping Has Been a Saviour for Many During the Pandemic

People everywhere including Wales have had their way of life turned upside down and rapidly changing. The world is coming to terms with how the pandemic has separated the interconnected world, albeit temporarily. It feels like an understatement to say that the world is staring at unprecedented times. 

Therefore, it’s not too soon to say that the COVID-19 pandemic should take home the prize of the most defining event of 2020. This pandemic has left in its wake implications that will last deep into the decade. 

In this period of uncertainty and isolation, online shopping has come as a reprieve to many, if not all. There a few facts that will help to put this statement into perspective: 

• In the wake of the pandemic, 40% of global consumers are mindful of where they shop for goods and services
• Online shopping has saved many businesses from bringing their operations to a grinding halt 
• In the UK, 79% of consumers prefer to buy groceries online
• In the past year, online sales increased by 69%, a jump from 29% a year ago

In the face of a crisis, humans are likely to respond in different ways. Thus, many consumers have shifted their behaviour due to the pandemic. 

In the UK, there is a drastic change in what people are buying, when, and how. Brands and consumers alike are left with no option but to adapt and be flexible. In any case, people are doing anything possible to avoid contact with others.  

The shift to online shopping has translated into additional digital revenues. But how exactly has online shopping benefited the masses during the pandemic? 

Online Convenience 

Many customers will attest to the fact that online shopping is convenient. People often consider it more comfortable to stop by a local store than shopping for something online. 

However, the COVID-19 has enabled consumers to realize the convenient advantages of online shopping. After all, the COVID-19 pandemic has quickly changed the meaning of the term “convenience.” Today, convenience has evolved into something more straightforward, a click of a button 

With several stringent measures in effect, online shopping gives you the luxury of not going to the store. What’s more, online shopping provides you with a convenient shopping experience. 

Not long ago, convenience was akin to a walk or quick drive to the nearest store. At the time, comfort was a relatively simple process. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, online shopping provides you with the purest form of convenience. 

Nowadays, you can conveniently shop medicine from an online pharmacy at the comfort of your couch. In any case, you can hardly shop medicine traditionally. As a result, the current situation provides the perfect opportunity for online shopping. 

In these unexpected times, online shopping means that whatever you shop for will be delivered right to your doorstep. As such, shopping can never be so convenient.  

Competitive Pricing

You’re probably wondering whether it’s cheaper to shop online. The thing with online shopping is that you’re likely to escape sales tax. This loophole provides online retailers with a substantial competitive advantage. 

To increase their sales, many stores offer free shipping services. As a result, you can easily find the best possible deal by comparing prices. For online stores, price is often a critical component of ensuring sales. 

Wider Variety Online 

If you can’t find anything in your local store, you’ll likely shop it online. Unlike traditional shopping, online shopping gives you the benefit of finding anything sold under the sun. 

In any event, online stores are quite different from brick-and-mortar stores because they do not have to hold inventory. 

The internet is home to numerous specialty sellers who are yet to put up a physical storefront. In this case, it’s worth mentioning that online stores compete with every competitor selling a similar product. 

Tracing Consumer Behaviour

The good thing about online shopping is that it’s highly traceable. Thus, online stores can better understand consumer behaviour. When you visit a website, you often leave behind a wealth of information. 

The information enables online stores to provide you with a better shopping experience. By knowing how shoppers interact with their websites, online stores can quickly identify new business opportunities and develop new strategies. 

As a customer, if an online store understands your motives, it can position its business to suit your needs better.  

In short, online shopping has proved useful, especially when the world is grappling with an unusual situation. Up to now, online shopping continues to provide consumers with significant and decisive advantages. 

In the UK, large companies are reporting increases in online sales. Be it as it may, the shift to online shopping is not something anyone can wish away. If you’re looking to keep yourself safe, online shopping will help to steer you away from the virus. All it takes is a click of a button.