Ecommerce refers to the process of buying and selling goods or services online between businesses, consumers or government agencies.
E-commerce has experienced exponential growth since Netscape Navigator first hit the scene. Amazon pioneered a model allowing users to share reviews about products and services while Etsy provided a global marketplace where artisans can set up shop to sell handmade items directly.
The COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic drastically accelerated emerging e-commerce trends that had already begun. Consumers quickly switched from purchasing in-person products to purchasing them online, and retailers scrambled to adapt their supply chains, warehouse practices and distribution networks in order to keep pace with demands for essential goods.
Online retail provides many advantages for consumers, including its convenience and 24-hour availability. Shoppers can easily browse products from multiple sellers simultaneously, increasing choices and finding better bargains on certain items. Ecommerce stores can provide personalized shopping experiences by providing customer service via phone call or live chat support.
An increasing percentage of retailers’ sales now come from online customers, with some analysts projecting this will reach half of total retail revenue by 2022. While much of this increase can be attributed to digital marketplaces like Amazon and Alibaba, small businesses and independent retailers with niche product lines have experienced rapid expansion through online retailing as well.
Small and midsize companies can be more flexible than large retailers with extensive warehouse inventories, allowing them to respond swiftly and flexibly to customer demand and efficiently scale their operations as necessary. Furthermore, this ability provides significant cost savings for these enterprises that might otherwise lack enough funds for investing in ecommerce technology.
Retail and e-commerce growth is expected to remain robust as consumers become accustomed to the convenience and range of products they can find online. Mobile devices make making purchases simple from anywhere at any time.
COVID-19’s pandemic also made remote work more popular and accessible, which may spur on e-commerce growth as more workers opt to conduct their businesses from home instead of traditional offices. As a result, omnichannel retailing and e-commerce models are rapidly gaining ground as both physical and virtual stores offer similar customer experiences to one another.
The Millennial Generation
The Millennial Generation is one of the most influential groups when it comes to online shopping, being tech-savvy, social media savvy and highly educated. More diverse and liberal than earlier generations, they exert significant influence in retail businesses; according to Coupon Follow’s survey this generation’s purchasing power exceeds $143 billion with estimated spending reaching $2.5 trillion by 2025!
Millennials have entered adulthood at a time of significant economic and social challenges. From terrorist acts, Iraq and Afghanistan wars, the Great Recession, to personal tragedies like 9/11 which made achieving milestones difficult, they have become more frugal with spending and skeptical of big brands than previous generations.
As such, many retailers are taking a more grassroots approach to online shopping, using social media platforms and marketplaces on them to reach this generation with affordable products at competitive prices. Furthermore, they’ve adopted mobile technology by optimizing websites and apps for smartphone screens.
Mobile payment options provide the added convenience and security that this generation demands, particularly as their focus on privacy has increased since previous generations. Furthermore, they use the internet frequently throughout their day and have high expectations of fast and reliable service delivery.
Millennials are particularly inclined to purchase from companies that demonstrate ethical, environmental, and socially responsible business practices, as they’re active on social media and willing to spend more on brands they trust – this makes it crucial for online retailers to invest in innovative technology while adapting their digital strategies in order to meet this demographic’s demands. With their buying habits having such an effectful bearing on retail and e-commerce in general.
The Internet of Things
Technology advancement has led to more flexibility for online shopping than ever before. IoT devices connect to the internet and communicate using unique identifiers such as serial number, IP address or device name to allow them to share data and interact with other devices on their network, enabling remote control of all of them.
IoT has transformed e-commerce by streamlining business operations and opening new sales channels. For example, sensors in smart refrigerators can track inventory levels and inform the system when additional products need to be ordered, eliminating human error while saving both time and money for businesses.
IoT makes it easier than ever before for retailers and consumers alike to create an immersive shopping experience, using sensors and big data analytics. A retailer could for example track customer purchases to understand preferences before suggesting relevant items when making online purchases.
IoT has had an impressive impact on e-commerce through automated checkout systems like Amazon Go. These stores use sensors to automatically detect which items a customer takes off shelves, then charge their phone as they exit – eliminating point-of-sale systems and staffing requirements while increasing convenience for customers.
Tech giants are taking full advantage of IoT for e-commerce by employing it in their warehouses and distribution centers. Amazon is currently working on developing a pinch-grasping robot which could reduce product damage by an order of magnitude.
IoT technology is now making it possible for retailers to offer extended warranties and maintenance plans on their products, like Rolls Royce engines. Their pricey repair bills require intensive upkeep; IoT sensors monitor these engines’ status to inform Rolls-Royce when there is risk of malfunctioning, saving millions annually in repair bills.
Mobile Shopping
As online sales expand, more small businesses are discovering the power of ecommerce and opening online stores for customers to shop their products and services. While building an e-store might appear costly at first, if done well it can just as effectively sell goods and services as brick-and-mortar locations do.
In February 2019 alone, online sales narrowly overtook general merchandise stores such as department stores, warehouse clubs and supercenters – a huge milestone that signifies how shopping continues to shift towards online platforms. Some retailers recognize this reality and see no choice other than accepting ecommerce as part of their survival plan.
Mobile shopping has experienced rapid expansion over the past several years. Smartphones and tablets have enabled shoppers to conveniently browse products whenever it suits them – be it waiting in line, commuting to work or relaxing at home. Thanks to intuitive mobile apps and optimized website designs, shoppers now experience the thrill of shopping day or night! Apps offer speedier information loading on a smaller screen.
Consumers can use mobile commerce (mcommerce) apps to connect to their favorite brand websites or social media pages and make purchases when out and about, contributing significantly to industry expansion.
Mcommerce apps also enable customers to receive push notifications from their favorite brands, informing them about new or seasonal products, sale items or other offers – this enables companies to stay connected with their consumers and increase customer loyalty.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers have altered their shopping behaviors significantly. They are avoiding crowds and practicing social distancing; purchasing more goods online; using smartphones for navigation of the internet and buying more goods directly online than before; this trend has lead to a notable increase in ecommerce industry growth as consumers eschew traditional stores for convenience – creating an entirely new world of shopping that may alter our way of living, working, and playing – forever! It will be interesting to see what further developments lie ahead for retail & ecommerce as a whole in coming years ahead.