It’s no secret we had to adapt and shift our entire lives over the last year, and we’re not set to return to full normality for some time.
One prominent change that came to light is the way we shop. IRL shopping became online-only, and our need for speed, demand and convenience grew imminently. But what does this mean for the future of commerce and e-commerce? As the UK announces it’s roadmap to wander slowly out of national lockdown, we think about how our shopping habits will evolve, and what will stay the same.
At the height of the pandemic, 10 years of e-commerce growth happened in just 90 days. Say what?! Nearly 200 million people shopped online for the first time last year, making online-shopping a trend for both digital and physical brands to jump on and ramp up their marketing tactics. In a recent global report, it was noted that e-commerce as a percentage of total global retail sales will also continue to grow over the next five years, causing shopping platforms to dramatically shift their online strategies to accommodate, and to tap into new customer profiles.
While this summer looks to be a little more positive than the last when thinking about shopping footfall, not all consumers will head back to normality. It’s expected that 60% of shoppers will not return to their usual retail habits, and continue to shop online according to a First Insight’s survey conducted in January 2021. “It’s time for retailers to create better connections with consumers by targeting them with the right marketing messages to entice them to spend both in-store and online,” says First Insight’s CEO, Greg Petro.
So e-commerce brands, keep doing what you’re doing. As we merge into the ‘new normal’ and step away from the pandemic, it’s important you continue to fuel the online habits that were brought to life over the past year to ensure growth in the current climate.
Resources: McKinsey / First Insight