ISU SEMASA
THE CHANGING TRENDS IN CONSUMER
BEHAVIOR
It’s clear that consumers’ buying behaviour is altering. The
implementation of social distancing means that specific
contact is avoided and the growth of the industry for
e-Commerce is inevitable. People change what, when or
how they shop by using online platforms.
The three popular areas
of consumer spending
during this time are medical
supplies, baby supplies and
cleaning products. Grocery
shopping soared in the
first week of March after
customers witnessed empty
supermarket shelves.
workers to work from home and avoiding non-essential
shopping trips. Even the authorities are encouraging
Malaysians to purchase food and grocery goods online.
IMPROVING THE LOGISTICS AND SUPPLY
While this is a good start for a new way of shopping, the
logistics and supply business should also aim to improve
and reshape their delivery businesses so this could help
sellers enhance supply chains to meet the rising demand.
Increased demand after restrictions on the movement
of services, has put a huge strain on shipping and all online
retailers causing them to struggle as they try to deliver the
goods on-time. The delays in delivery are expected.
Most of the deliveries are delayed everywhere
from 7 to 14 days across the e-Commerce and online
retail platforms. Nevertheless, many customers are very
understanding of the current predicament. Regardless,
logistics and supply companies should constantly strive
for the best to give customers the greatest online shopping
experience.
The outbreak seems to have taken care of that. While
the traffic may have increased, dancing to this new
tune may not be as easy but there are still some
good strategies that marketplaces can adopt in
order to stay ahead during this new shopping
trend.
ONLINE GROCERY SHOPPING
COVID-19 has revealed the potential and
limitations of Malaysia’s online shopping
sector. Online grocery shopping is the fastest
growing slice of the pie, with so many choices for
customers to choose from.
COVID-19 may accelerate the growth of the online
grocery sector in Malaysia. When the MRO level was raised
to encourage the public to be extra cautious, Malaysians
have not only flocked the physical supermarkets but they
have also loaded their virtual carts with online grocery
stores.
The smaller players are also watching the online
grocery scene. Many small wet market grocers have
taken hawk products to online channels, conducted online
auctions, and even established customer relationships like
giving some tips on how to prepare dishes using their
products.
This trend of online shopping among Malaysians is
likely to continue with government directives allowing
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