There’s no doubt that the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic has hit virtually every part of the world. Since the novel virus struck towards the end of 2020, it has caused many movement restrictions, including quarantines, curfews, and shelter in place orders.
With no end in sight for COVID-19, the e-commerce world is experiencing significant changes, including bulk buying, online shopping, and delivery services. As a matter of fact, we can expect the shift in e-commerce to persist even after this pandemic is over.
Let’s take a closer look at how COVID-19 has impacted the e-commerce world.
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New consumer behaviors
With millions worldwide on quarantines or lockdowns, shopping has been hugely disrupted. Dining out is the most affected.
Many people have now resorted to bulk buying as they try to stock up on all essentials. Consumers are also making less frequent visits to their favorite retail stores, restaurants, or bars as they try to remain compliant with the new COVID-19 rules.
Many stores, restaurants, and other establishments, on the other hand, have ceased on-premise operations. This is not only because of their effort to minimize the virus’s spread, but most customers are also unwilling to visit stores personally, even for pick up.
That, however, doesn’t mean people should give up their desire to dine or do shopping at their favorite shopping stores. Many foods and drink businesses are marketing their mobile ordering and takeout services, which is giving rise to local delivery services.
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An upsurge in local delivery orders
With consumers resorting to online shopping during the pandemic, there’s an increased demand for local package delivery. Most businesses, particularly those that were not prepared for rapid growth in volume and shifts in business models, are having difficulty dealing with the daily delivery orders.
For local businesses with no online delivery platforms or those not set up to capture the influx of business from people on lockdowns, all is not lost.
Many other organizations are willing to offer delivery solutions to help them stay afloat during the pandemic. One such solution is Circuit’s courier management software which is available for both drivers and dispatchers. On top of that, the courier management software helps individual drivers identify the shortest route on multi-stop trips.
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Increased competition
With customers choosing online shopping during the lockdowns, delivery orders are getting bigger by day. To take advantage of the new market, many businesses have had to get creative to reap big in the local delivery market.
UberEats, Postmates, and JustEat, for instance, have introduced no-contact delivery options to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 and stand out in business. Some of these delivery companies are even willing to partner with small local businesses to help them meet their delivery demand.
As some companies try to adapt to the new reality, we’re even seeing new entrants in the market as they try to reap big from these recent shifts in delivery. This, in turn, has heated competition between direct delivery providers and third-party delivery providers.
To sum it up
With the pandemic bringing the new changes in customer behaviors and delivery services, a total return to normal will take time. We expect most of these new norms to remain even after COVID-19 is gone.
Consumers will embrace delivery services perhaps because of the convenience it brings. Businesses, on the other hand, will adapt to the latest e-commerce trends and stick to that. Delivery services will continue to get better as different brands try to solidify their spot as the best delivery service provider.
