Why do consumers still prefer to shop online?

                                             COVID-19 and the ‘new norm’ for consumers

Covid-19 has forever changed online shopping behavior and consumer habits, still to today in 2023 (Uncat, 2022).This blog will highlight the benefits and drawbacks of the ‘new norm’ when it comes to shopping online and all organizations now having some sort of online and digital platform.

The pandemic forced consumers to change their ways for several months and many spending habits have altered the way organizations promote their products even now, due to the change in consumer needs. Covid also affected supply chains, having a detrimental effect on consumers and made many have to get even basic foods elsewhere, including toilet roll. Looking back at these uncertain times, we can analyze how many businesses struggled to even stay open due to financial struggles and inadequate to open a physical shop during the majority of 2020. As the UK became irritated with the constant ques and unreliable shopping trips, online shopping and deliveries increased and despite all types of non-essential retailers returning to pre-pandemic normality, there is still a high number of people in the UK who still choose to stick with online sales (National statistics ,2021). 

Why do consumers still prefer to shop online?

Due to the efficiency and convenience of ordering an item from your mobile phone, consumers now choose the easier option instead of traveling to a physical store and the rise of ‘click and collect’ orders have increased over the last two years. The latest free shipping options from clothing retailers, such as Urban Outfitters and Zara have gained popularity among the public and 49.4% of consumers say that this is the main reason why they now shop online (Oberlo, 2023). A second positive from consumers is that online orders allow them to save money as they are only buying one item at a time, compared to walking into a physical store for one item in mind and leaving the store with three items. The latest statistics have shown that 37.9% of online customers have a discount or promotion code, driving sales every day (Oberlo, 2023). There has not only been financial uncertainties from a business perspective, yet also from members of the public firstly due to the pandemic and now in 2023 the cost of living crisis. During these hard times from millions of people in the UK, a discount and promotion code creates a sub-conscious approach for consumers as they see the purchase as saving them money and ultimately increasing customer loyalty and a great customer relationship. 

Refrences

National statistics (2021) 'How our spending has changed since the end of coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions'. Available at:

https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/retailindustry/articles/howourspendinghaschangedsincetheendofcoronaviruscovid19restrictions/2022-07-11 (Accessed 23 Febuary 2023)

Lin,Y. (2020) How online Businesses are coping with covid-19. Available at:

https://www.oberlo.co.uk/blog/expert-dropshippers-coronavirus. (Accessed 23 February 2023)