The coronavirus has turned our lives upside down. As we sail through these uncertain waters, we are discovering new ways to live and work.
While most sectors have been hit hard by the pandemic, others such as online shopping are thriving. As people are left stuck indoors, they are spending a lot more time shopping online. Ecommerce stores have seen a significant boost in business, and couriers are struggling to keep up with demand.
Here, we’ll look at how the coronavirus is impacting online shoppers and delivery.
Online shopping accounts for over 50% of transactions
According to new research by Starling Bank, online shopping is accounting for over 50% of customer transactions. The average transaction value has also increased, with London based customers spending the most online. On average, transactions have increased by £53.57 in the capital.
The leading retailer that has seen the biggest rise in spending has unsurprisingly been Amazon with a 39% increase. Other retailers experiencing a boom in shoppers include Argos with a 49% increase, ASOS with a 12% increase and John Lewis with a 13% increase.
Issues with online food shopping
One of the main issues consumers have run into when shopping online, is the lack of food delivery slots. Supermarkets have experienced a significant boost in demand, particularly for those who are self-isolating. This has led to a lack of slots available and in many cases, items being unavailable upon delivery.
Even getting onto supermarket websites has proved to be a struggle. Some supermarkets such as Morrisons, have online queues just to get onto the website.
Returns policies updated
While returns can still be made during this time, policies have been updated. Which? Has a great guide on consumer rights during the Covid-19 pandemic.
For many companies, their refund policy has been updated to cover a longer time period. For example, you may need to wait up to 90 days to receive a refund from some retailers.
This is something you should look into prior to making a purchase online.
How is it impacting deliveries?
The boost in online shopping is great for the economy, but it’s proving particularly challenging for delivery companies.
Couriers are struggling to keep up with the demand, leading to delays with shipments. In some cases, Amazon customers are having to wait up to 90 days to receive their goods.
Comparison company Parcel2Go.com has also experienced a significant increase in search queries. Meanwhile, courier companies have taken a number of steps to ensure contactless, safe deliveries.
The coronavirus has significantly changed the way in which we shop. Online shopping was already popular prior to the lockdown. However, it is now experiencing excessive demand. Even once the lockdown ends, it is likely consumers will continue to rely heavily upon online deliveries.