Poq the app commerce company have launched a regular email series, Retail Remedy, which aims to help the retail community make informed decisions and gain the insights needed to survive these uncertain times. Retail stores around the world are shutting down, giving shoppers no other option but to shop online for their non-essential items. Despite being targeted towards the retail industry, the Retail Remedy series could shed some light on how online merchants and brands can up their game through mobile commerce during this time.
It is clear that COVID-19 has caused a rapid rise in online shopping and is pushing consumers towards a more digital lifestyle. The true capabilities of our digital world will certainly be tested now and if people dont have computers at home they will do their shopping from their mobile.
“Customers’ changing preferences are not likely to go back to pre-outbreak norms.”
– McKinsey & Company
Interesting data from Squire Patton Boggs shows that 49% of consumers shopping online are doing so to comply with social distancing regulations, this means that many consumers who would have shopped on the high street are now shopping online to comply with rules set to limit spread of the Coronavirus. It has also been noted that those consumers shopping online due to the outbreak will be more understanding and appreciative of the advantages of shopping online, meaning the number of consumers shopping online will grow and it shouldn’t be temporary, good news for online merchants.
“In tough times for the economy, cash preservation is key. Retailers need to double-down on engaging loyal customers and embracing the new consumers who do shop online for the first time in order to avoid going to physical stores. Concentrating on shoppers who are already familiar with your brand or who organically find your app reduces the spend on acquiring customers who may only shop once with your brand to avoid the stores.”
– Poq
