It is undeniable that the covid-19 pandemic altered the retail world in a major way. We know that everyone is hoping to go back to the old ways but studies are showing otherwise. Research says that these changes will remain and become the new norms.
This include a unprecedented increase in online shopping, more intensive virtual experiences, continuous adoption of local pickup and delivery methods, as well as more support for small, independent businesses.
Here’s how businesses can adapt to these consumer trends brought by the pandemic:
Increased Support for local and independent businesses
The pandemic has closed many businesses, even established and popular ones because of lockdown restrictions preventing people from going out. This sparked solidarity and support especially to small and independent brands which are considered as the most vulnerable.
This also explains why almost 60% of buyers choose to support local and independently owned businesses. Majority of these people shopping locally said they are doing this to support their communities or protect local jobs.
This is a clear evidence of the support given by buyers to small, independent businesses. All they have to develop is their unique offerings and personalized customer service.
Shift toward virtual experiences
Recent data also showed that less than 15% of buyers are choosing the digital version of things that they used to do in person.
Meanwhile, businesses who used to rely on face-to-face interaction with customers before are now using digital ways to connect and communicate with customers.
Studies show that having offering digital versions of products or services significantly widens your potential customer base. Digital products can also cater returning customers until it’s safe to open your brick and mortar store again.
But aside from selling virtual experiences, digital contents can also be used for product selling, customer education, community growth. In fact, almost 40% of customers believe that free online courses or educational content from a business is important to them. This increases by up to 60% for 18-34 year-olds.
Growth in online shopping sales
Since the implementation of global lockdowns, the number of buyers shifting to buying online has reached 52%.
They say they did this way more compared to last year. Majority of them say this has become their safer and more preferred option even when store-operations resume. Many of them commented that it has become too uncomfortable to do in-store shopping after COVID happened.
40% of buyers also gave a tip for businesses saying easy navigation on websites is what makes their shopping experiences positive and motivating.
So for new businesses and retail-only businesses that has just entered ecommerce, giving an online experience optimized toward current buying habits will be the most advantageous. This will earn you your customer’s trust.
More demand for curbside pickup
For almost 50% of customers, curbside pickup has already become one of the most convenient ways to claim items same day from businesses without going in-store or paying for rush shipping. This is why it has become their top choice for their online purchases in the early days of the outbreak.
They described the perfect pickup experience as simple, efficient, and convenient. So communicating clearly through onsite signage and throughout every touchpoint (confirmation email, text message, etc.) is a must.
Clamor for Local delivery
Local delivery’s popularity rose alongside curbside pickup. It is seen as a perfect alternative to shipping or in-store shopping. It has become critical for businesses to deliver their products to customers especially the perishables. So they are now in a race for greater reliability and faster delivery times.
It is not much of a problem for them though because setting up a local delivery option at checkout is simple. The only thing they have to consider is if it’s worthy to offer given the logistical challenges that they will face.
It’s now 2021; a year after the pandemic started. We don’t know what’s to come but data continues to suggest that the shift on buying habits caused by the pandemic will stay because it supports the survival not only of actual lives but also of income and businesses.