Electronic commerce has registered an increase of 12,5% compared to last year due to the mobility restrictions recommended by the Executive in recent days by the coronavirus crisis. "This practice prevents the movement of people, and therefore slows down the possibilities of contagion," said the president of the UNO logistics employer, Francisco Aranda, and added that "as a business association, we request that no in case the movement of goods is restricted ”.
UNO has published, together with Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) and UGT, a specific guide of recommendations for the logistics and transport sector. It is a document with recommendations to prevent the coronavirus or to act in the case of those affected. The objective of this material is "to provide calm, transparency, harmonize actions and facilitate coordination for companies and workers," UNO highlighted.
Where there are some sectors that offer a greater demand than others by consumers. In a setting that can be very changing as the days go by from now on. In this sense, it should be noted that one of the problems that could be generated after this rise in user demand is that in the end it can generate a certain shortage and, consequently, a totally unnecessary social alarm.
Demand in electronic commerce: what does it offer the user?
There is no doubt that a demand in electronic commerce by users is motivated by the need of consumers to have a series of products, services or articles that cannot be channeled these days through traditional channels in their commercialization. Within this general context, it is necessary to influence the advantages that these companies produce among the general public.
One of the most relevant is access to products that cannot be purchased as the stores or physical stores closed due to the new exception regulations that have been implemented in our country. For example, in the purchase of mobile phones, material related to new technologies, clothing or leisure and training services, among some of the most relevant. And that carry more than one advantage in channeling this kind of sales in an online format. Like the ones that we are going to expose from now on:
- To be able to hire it quickly from your own home and through a very simple process in its formalization.
- Very frequently it generates more competitive prices than through traditional or more conventional channels that can help customers or users to save more money from its start-up.
- For its channeling, it is only required to have a personal computer or any kind of technological devices so that you can demand a product, service or item from now on.
- They are managed through different means of payment, such as credit or debit cards, electronic payments or even with virtual currencies such as Bitcoin.
And finally, don't forget that these online purchases must have all the security guarantees to protect operations or movements by customers or users.
E-commerce capabilities in times of crisis
This can be a sector that can revalue in moments of serious economic crisis. To the extent that they can generate a value series that it is very convenient that you take them into account from this precise moment. For example, through the following actions that we are going to show you below:
Although the demand has multiplied, it is still uncertain whether the majority of companies that receive these orders will be able to satisfy it. This is because the main supplier of raw materials and products is China, the country most affected and initiator of the coronavirus.
While on the other hand, it is a sector that can emerge victorious as a result of more free time on the part of users. In this sense, it should be appreciated that the increase in free time in the population that is forced to stay at home is producing a increased use of online services and video game downloads. It is one of the ways that they are using to occupy the hours of isolation and to have some leisure. In this way, stores or online businesses that offer these products can benefit from this scenario, as is happening at the moment with the outbreak of the coronavirus.
Within this very special and complex scenario at the same time, there is no doubt that at this time it can be said that the fact that many cities are in complete isolation and there are restrictions on mobility, is producing a boom in online provisioning from home. With an alternative to leisure and training much greater than in other periods in history.
Comparison of online prices
In this sense, the numbers are very clear to show that nine out of ten consumers compare prices online before buying a product. This is revealed by the survey carried out by an important insurance comparator on the occasion of the Consumer Day. An appointment that is held every March 15 and that the company has used to clarify some questions about the consumption habits of Spaniards.
Specifically, 93% of the subjects interviewed stated that they check prices online when they plan to purchase a new product. In addition, almost two-thirds of those who do, finalize the purchase online. The goal is simple: get informed and reduce costs. And it is that comparing gives us the opportunity to save up to 50% on certain services. This is the case, for example, of car insurance, but not the only one.
Not only the convenience for shopping in online format is the origin of this personal decision on the part of users or clients. If not, on the contrary, it is an action that satisfies the wishes of a good part of these people to interact with the consumer sector. To the extent that it can be interpreted that it is a trend that is going up in recent years and that it no longer has a return in the coming years. As shown in the most recent sector reports, which give the odd clue as to what this trend will be like from now on, especially in the next two or three years.
Lower economic growth
Within this scenario in which electronic commerce is currently operating, it is necessary to take into account how the coronavirus can affect economic activity at a global level. Because in effect, and for the moment the scenario managed by different economic and financial agents is that the virus outbreak reduces China's GDP growth by around 0,3% this year, up to 5,6% and in the world around 0,15%, up to 2,6% or 2,5%. However, the situation could become much more serious if the coronavirus cannot be contained in the coming days. In this sense,
But on the contrary, the electronic commerce represented by the stores or online commerce can emerge with special force in the current conjunctural moment. Because the fact that many cities are in complete isolation and there are restrictions on mobility, it is producing a boom in online provisioning from home. For example, with products or services closely linked to leisure and training. To the point that they can see their sales improved in these complex months for all users.
It cannot be forgotten that within what are the trends that will mark the future of electronic commerce in the coming years, this sector so relevant in the economy of the whole world has become little less than indispensable since the first online transactions of the 90s until today. In a progressive way and establishing its foundations within this business segment. Despite the gaps that it generates at the moment and that are fully understandable by the experts.
Where it is necessary to highlight that although the demand has multiplied, it is still uncertain whether the majority of companies that receive these orders will be able to satisfy it. This is because the main supplier of raw materials and products is China, the country most affected and initiator of the coronavirus. From this point of view, it is not vulnerable to the possible effects that it may have on the world economy as of this March. But on the other hand, it provides greater diversification in its business lines than in other more conventional or traditional sectors. To the point that it can be a real business opportunity in most cases. As shown in the most recent sector reports that have been reflected in recent months.