How does the e-commerce market change during the uncertain times?

Changes in consumers’ behavior

The crisis has changed the approach of consumers to shopping. As a result, when it comes to grocery delivery, it turned out that:

– 14% of consumers used grocery delivery services for the first time,

– 13% of consumers increased the frequency with which they use these services,

– 25% haven’t used grocery delivery services and don’t plan to do that.

Interestingly, BOPIS (Buy Online Pick Up in Store) solutions are becoming increasingly popular:

– 10% of consumer tried BOPIS for the first time,

– 13% of consumers increased the frequency of using BOPIS solutions,

– 24% of consumers haven’t used BOPIS and don’t plan on doing it.

Apart from this interesting statistics, since the outbreak of the COVID-19, we could notice significant increases in industries such as FMCG, health and safety products or catering/food delivery.

At the same time, the lockdown introduced by most countries around the world caused that the e-commerce market has seen a marked movement related to products providing home entertainment and activities for the entire families.

Here you can find, as a curiosity, TOP 10 fastest growing categories in e-commerce:

1. Disposable gloves + 670%

2. Bread Machines +652%

3. Cough and Cold +53%%

4. Soups + 397%

5. Dried Grains and Rice +386%

6. Packaged Foods +377%

7. Fruit Cups +326%

8. Weight Training +307%

9. Milk and Cream +279%

10. Dishwashing Supplies +275%

How to attract customers to your e-commerce platform?

The e-commerce market is changing rapidly during the pandemic, and experts have no illusions – more and more companies will transfer some of their activities to online retail. Supermarkets, for instance, are already making such a move as they are experiencing a decrease in the number of customers coming to stores and are trying to reach clients in a new way.

Considering that, keep in mind few simple tips that will help you get out of the box and attract the attention of your potential customers:

1. Think about better exposure of your offer

2. Manage efficiently the increasing number of orders

3. Take care of top quality UX and UI design of your platform

4. Remember about mobile application development (focus on increasing conversions)

5. Prepare simplified payment system 

6. Take care of the security of your e-commerce

7. Increase your sales profits by tests

8. Keep constant software development and build product ready for scale

9. Don’t overcomplicate the path for your users

10. Take care of great customer service.

Summary

The crisis is changing the e-commerce market all the time. In just a few weeks, we have found ourselves in a completely new reality. But this is also a big chance for those who run their own e-commerce and are ready to start doing big things. So, take into consideration the current market state and my simple tips. I strongly believe you will win this game!

Read more:

– Why do we expect a high demand for Ruby software products in times of crisis?

– Ruby on Rails software development. Indexes v2

– How to start building your product from scratch?