The rise of e-commerce has completely changed the traditional retail landscape, and safe to say, it’s showing no signs of slowing down. Gone are the days of battling for a car park at your local Westfield, traipsing through seas of crowds, and wasting precious time waiting in line. All this can now be done at the click of a button (and from the comfort of your couch).
It comes as no surprise that e-commerce has truly revolutionised the way we shop, and has had a profound impact on both retail and consumer behaviour.
Let’s take a closer look!
Retail Therapy Goes Online
From bagging a bargain in the sale section, splurging on the lastest fashion at Sabbi that you’ve been eyeing off for months, or even doing your weekly grocery run, there’s not a whole lot that requires in-person shopping these days.
E-commerce has made the shopping experience more convenient and accessible than ever before, and just quietly, we’re here for this!
BUT, with great convenience, comes great responsibility. With an overwhelming number of online retailers vying for our attention, it’s important to shop around and find the best deals. And, thanks to the power of the internet, we can easily compare prices and products from the comfort of our own homes. No more awkward walks of shame, store hoping to find the best deal – it’s all at our fingertips!
Consumer Behaviour: The Personal Touch
Whether you love or hate the awkward small talk and unsolicited advice which is usually paired with your traditional retail experience, what we know for sure, is that the personal experience we once knew, has been stifled with the switch to online shopping. But it is dead and buried completely?
The answer is not really, it just looks a little different these days. Online retailers are now using technology to bring back the personal touch, with virtual try-ons, personalised product recommendations, and even chatbots to answer customer queries. This is allowing consumers to make informed purchasing decisions, without having to leave their homes.
A Global Market at your fingertips
E-commerce has completely debunked the idea of global parameters when shopping. You want something from overseas? Say the word and it’s yours – albeit taking a hot minute to arrive in the land down under.
Online shopping has opened up the world to businesses, making it possible to reach customers all over the world. This has created new opportunities for businesses, allowing them to expand their reach and grow their customer base.
A Personalised experience
Everyone’s a sucker for something personalised, there’s no denying it. With e-commerce continuing to expand, it feels as though we have our own personal shopping experience ready and waiting for us at the drop of a hat. E-commerce has made it possible to personalise the shopping experience like never before. From personalised product recommendations to customised email campaigns, e-commerce has changed the way businesses interact with customers.
Prompting a shift in consumer shopping behaviour
The shopping landscape as we know it has changed, and so has consumer behaviour. With additional external factors such as rising cost of living pressures, Aussies are now more likely to research and compare products before biting the bullet and making the purchase.
Additionally, with the ability to shop 24/7, the traditional 9-5 shopping hours are a thing of the past, and time is on the consumer’s side (nothing better than receiving a package you completely forgot about because you purchased in the middle of the night!).
Click and Collect is the new norm
We often wonder what our life was like before Click and Collect, and honestly, we don’t know what we’d do without it now. Skipping the lines and delivery costs? We’re copping the dub on that one. The service allows Aussies to order online and collect their purchases in-store, offering the convenience of online shopping with the added bonus of being able to physically see and touch the product before buying. It’s a win-win for both retailers and consumers.
The Future of Retail
So, what does the future of retail look like in the age of e-commerce? It’s hard to say for sure, but one thing is certain, e-commerce will continue to play a major role in shaping the retail industry and changing the way we shop.
From new technologies like augmented and virtual reality to the rise of social commerce, the future of retail is sure to be exciting and full of surprises.
The impact of e-commerce on retail and consumer behaviour has been profound, not only changing the way we shop but equally the way we think about shopping.
Whether you’re a tech-lover or a skeptic, there’s no denying that e-commerce has changed the game and will continue to play a major role in shaping the future of retail.
So, get ready to embrace the digital age and join the e-commerce revolution!
