It’s difficult to imagine that it’s already been a year since the outbreak of the coronavirus. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted virtually every aspect of our daily lives, from the way we perform our daily duties and commute to school and work to the way we shop for everything from groceries to clothes and other essentials.
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In the times when social distancing has become a norm and working remotely has become an alternative arrangement for a number of employees, it comes as no surprise that many people are doing their shopping online as a way of preventing the spread of COVID-19. Given the many advantages online shopping has over the traditional in-store shopping and the fact that it’s a much safer alternative in times like these, e-commerce is expected to only gain in popularity during the pandemic and beyond.
Below, everything you need to know about shopping online during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What Are The Advantages Of Shopping Online?
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First things first, there are many reasons why online shopping may be more beneficial for consumers compared to the conventional method, especially in times like these. For starters, shopping from the comfort of your home is far more convenient. You have more control over your spending, there’s no sales pressure, and there’s more variety – which is a big plus, especially if you’re shopping for clothes and want to get in on the latest trends.
You’re also able to get better deals this way, and you have the option to send gifts as well. There are no crowds which reduces the risk of catching COVID, and you can easily compare prices to make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck.
Which Product Categories Are In Demand?
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With online purchases rising, it may be interesting to take a look at the product categories that are in demand. According to a survey, product categories that have experienced a 6-10% increase are electronics, household items, gardening, furniture, and cosmetics. While some websites choose to focus on only one or a couple of product categories, others are more general and sell products from multiple categories.
For instance, if you visit shoppster.com and other similar sites, you’ll be able to find everything from homeware to clothing to electronic devices. Having everything in one place and just a couple of clicks away is less time-consuming, and websites like these can easily become your go-to place for practically everything you need. They’ll often offer loyalty programs which you can use to get various discounts and get the most bang for your buck. On the plus side, companies are working on enhancing their e-commerce experience, so shoppers may expect improvements in everything from delivery times, product descriptions, and product reviews and ratings.
How Are The Delivery Services Handling The Increase In Online Shopping?
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Aside from being a practical and efficient way to get everything you need in a hassle-free and stress-free way, shopping online is also the safest option at the moment. With the number of online orders increasing at a rapid pace, one can’t help but wonder how this increase in online shopping is affecting delivery services and the processing and packaging of online purchases.
Keeping up with the latest updates from the department of health and following all the guidelines is mandatory for delivery services. By taking precautions and enhancing safety measures, they’re able to keep the mail personnel healthy and prevent the spread of the virus. That being said, it might be best for customers to request the mail carriers to place the packages on the floor. That way, there’s no physical contact, which is much safer for delivery personnel, and the method is being increasingly applied for both fashion purchases and food delivery.
What Are The Precautions For Opening Boxed Shipments?
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Other than avoiding transmissions by hand, it’s best for customers to take additional safety steps to prevent the spread of the virus for their own peace of mind. This is especially important if you’re taking care of an elderly person or someone with a chronic condition, in which case it’s advisable to wear disposable gloves when handling packages and mail.
When it comes to online fashion purchases, your safest bet would be to wash any new clothes that have been delivered to you. Although spreading via fabric is not the main way the virus is transmitted, there’s no way of saying how long the virus can survive on fabrics, so taking an extra safety step before trying on new clothes is recommended.
Wrapping Up
An effective response to the public health crisis, shopping online helps you remain healthy and safe during these tumultuous times while also saving time and money in the process.
Now that you’re aware of the advantages of online shopping and all the health-related questions are answered, you can let go of any concerns you may have had about online purchases and shop safely and worry-free during the pandemic.
