How Covid Has Changed The Way People Shop ?

 

Would you prefer shopping online or offline in post-covid world?

While online business will thrive, offline will also continue to grow - M A Yusuf Ali ( MD & Chairman Lulu Group )

In the last two years, online shoppers have surely increased but at the end of the day, the number of people who love to shop only after physically examining any product is also no less. In Covid times, people who knew nothing of online shopping also became acquainted with e-commerce sites and many of them prefer to continue shopping the same way even after the lockdowns are open. So is the offline shopping business deteriorating or is there still any chance of it getting the same popularity it had pre-covid times ?

In an interview, Lulu Group chairman and managing director M A Yusuf Ali spoke about the recovery of the retail sector, co-existence of online and offline retail and India being an important part in its growth plans.

After the pandemic Lulu group international has launched its new shopping mall in Bangalore for the development of online and offline shopping. According to Yusuf Ali, People are coming back in large numbers to malls. In UAE, even during covid, they opened 18 hypermarkets and shopping malls over the last 15-18 months.

This clearly shows that the online market has not yet taken over the traditional shopping habits of people. However the growth of e-commerce is also crucial and is happening at a remarkable rate! Online shopping sites are getting more and more users these days. Whatever the way be, but people have altered their choices a bit post-covid. There are many additional health and hygiene segments, fitness segments added in the malls to meet the rising demands of people and while physically visiting any shops or malls most people ensure they do not go to a very crowded place so there are shopping aisles in the malls to reduce the density of people, says Yusuf Ali. So some changes in the shopping patterns of people are clearly evident even if they prefer offline shopping. Hence, companies and groups need to work hard to meet the demands of the consumers.

Tips to keep in mind

●   While shopping online, make sure you are shopping on an authentic e-commerce site and not a fraudulent one. So that you do not lose your money.

●  While shopping offline, keep in mind to check the place before visiting it. Does the place offer social distancing or not ?

●  Hygienic conditions should be a priority while going out to shop.

●  Wear your masks at all times if you are out.

●  Make sure you wash the products before use if possible and if not, at least try not using them for 2-5 days.

Conclusion

Online shopping is gaining popularity but offline shopping which has been on the minds of people is evergreen but in times like these where consumers know their demands and needs well, are more aware about themselves, Both offline and online platforms need to raise their standards and follow through what the situation asks for.

Both online and offline shopping is fun depending on your personal choices, but at the back of your head the idea of safety should always be there.

Happy shopping :)

Blog By : Damini and Tanvi