As practice shows, during global pandemics, shopping trends tend to change dramatically. This often leads to the fact that it is increasingly difficult to successfully run a business the way it was before. Thus, in order to fully run a business, many entrepreneurs are forced to improve their website or mobile application, hire additional warehouse workers and drivers, close local stores, and much more. To decide in which direction a business should move in such a difficult time, you need to understand how shopping trends have changed over the past few years and how this can affect the market.
Older consumers are more likely to use the Internet to shop
There is an opinion that older people prefer to shop offline, while millennials and zoomers, on the contrary, prefer to shop online. But recent research has shown that this is not the case.
The fact is that during the coronavirus pandemic, boomers were in increased danger; going to the store could have catastrophic consequences for them, so many of them began to shop more actively on the Internet. In addition, almost 90% of all purchases of medical goods (including painkillers and medical devices) on the Internet are made by boomers. It is because they need such goods more than Gen Z.
However, boomers are less likely to buy food and alcohol online. Millennials and zoomers usually do this.
When creating any e-Сommerce software, testing is a must. By visiting the webpage you can find more information and successful cases on testing e-Сommerce applications. It is also a great way to contact specialists and get the necessary advice.
Increasing demand for online shopping
The coronavirus pandemic has caused enormous harm to the economies of many countries, and various industries have been hit hard. However, companies that delivered or made ready-to-eat meal kits began to flourish. If earlier people went to a cafe or restaurant to have dinner, today they order ready-made dinner at home, heat it in the oven, and get gourmet dishes no worse than in a restaurant. For example, the British company Tesco, which conducted 89% of its activities on the Internet, was forced to double its presence on the Internet to provide its customers with everything they needed.
In the early days of the boom in online shopping, many could not cope with the influx of customers because they delivered goods on time or had to refuse to provide services. However, gradually this problem was solved, and today they can satisfy the needs of everyone.
Social commerce is actively developing
Social networks regularly add features that make them more convenient for advertising and selling various products. Research shows that Generation Z periodically browses or purchases products from online stores or influencers.
Even if you don’t aim to sell on Instagram or Facebook, you need to have a social media page to draw attention to your site.
Increasing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly products
Consumers, especially younger generations, are becoming increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of their purchases. This has led to a growing trend in e-Commerce for sustainable, eco-friendly, and ethically sourced products. Online retailers are responding by:
1. Offering more environmentally friendly product options.
2. Providing transparent information about product sourcing and manufacturing.
3. Implementing sustainable packaging and shipping practices.
4. Highlighting their commitment to sustainability in marketing efforts.
This trend is influencing various sectors, from fashion to home goods and is likely to continue shaping the e-Commerce environment in the coming years.
Most purchases are made via smartphone
Shopping through a smartphone is very fast and convenient because it is always at your fingertips. When creating an online sales platform, you must ensure that it has a multifunctional mobile version.
If you wish, you can create a mobile application. Then customers will receive notifications about the assortment and promotions updates, store the history of the products they liked, and much more. The e-Commerce testing approach includes checking the system’s health and compatibility with different operating systems and functionality. If done right, you will be able to get a product that will meet the needs of users and be competitive.
Consumers have moved from “PC or mobile” purchases to multi-device setups ranging from smart home products to game consoles. The number of consumers using more than 5 devices to access the Internet has increased by 19% since 2019, and this trend is spreading to all age groups.
Users are more concerned about the security of personal data
The QA testing process must include a security check. Making an online purchase, users are worried that their data, including bank accounts, may fall into the hands of fraudsters. To avoid this, the creator of an online store or mobile application must install excellent security, which ideally will encrypt all customer data.
Conclusion
Of course, after the Covid-19 pandemic, interest in online shopping subsided a bit. But, the number of online shoppers has increased by 40% compared to 2018. It suggests that many users have acquired a regular habit of making purchases in such a format, and their number will continue to grow.
You must consider the peculiarities of online shopping in different age categories and other devices for your business to flourish. The company’s adaptation to customers’ needs occurs gradually so if you follow the latest trends, this will not be difficult.
