Impact of COVID-19 on e-commerce and sensible consumption of commodities

Consumers are deeply concerned about the impact of COVID-19, both from a health and economic perspective. People are responding in a variety of ways and have differing attitudes, behaviors and purchasing habits. People across the globe are afraid as they strive to adapt to a new normal.
The factors that influence brand decisions are also changing as a “buy local” trend accelerates. Digital commerce has also seen a boost as new consumers migrate online for grocery shopping – a rise that is likely to be sustained post-outbreak.

E-commerce platforms, retail chains and kirana stores reported a sharp surge in sales of staples, daily necessities and personal hygiene products in the past few days as panic buying took hold across India amid the fear of closures as Covid-19 cases rose.

Deliveries have been delayed and some items such as sanitisers have gone off shelves or are unavailable online. Retailers and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies said there are no shortages and that they will speed up supplies to shops besides seeking to curb hoarding. They said sales are up 15-45% depending on the category.

E-grocer BigBasket said it has witnessed demand double over the past few days across cities, with order values going up 20% on average.

Data of Consumer’s choice-
•60% of respondents are spending more time on self-care and mental well-being, with about six in 10 consumers (57%) saying they have started exercising more at home;
•64% of consumers said they’re focusing more on limiting food waste and will likely continue to do so going forward;
•50% of consumers said they’re shopping more health-conscious and will likely to continue to do so; and
•45% of consumers said they’re making more sustainable choices when shopping and will likely continue to do so.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a huge upsurge in the demand of online shopping. The initial phase of the pandemic caused panic buying by consumers but gradually the consumers started buying commodities sensibly. Hence, the COVID-19 outbreak is both- a noon and a bane for the consumers. On one hand, when the prices of various commodities are likely to increase in future while on the other, it has led them to make sustainable choices when shopping.

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