Speed up online business in time of COVID-19 outbreak

Consuming habit changed

Less going out, avoiding contacts with strangers, and less using cash… are advices from medical experts to avoid infectious diseases, especially the infection of corona virus. Following the guideline, the normal habit of buying in supermarkets, traditional markets and shopping centers has been remarkably changed.

Nielsen and Infocus’ reports showed quick infection of corona virus resulted in daily habits and consuming habits greatly changed. Existing stores have been suffered with 50% of people reducing their times of visiting supermarkets, stores and traditional markets. Besides 25% of people being interviewed said they increased the shopping online and reduced their purchase at stores.

Mai Lan Van, Marketing Director of VinID JSC. said: “The number of people shopping online in VinID was three times more than that at normal time. In some periods, the function Scan& Go (the function of scanning code when buying at VinMart or VinMart+ supermarkets) increase 15 times”. Therefore, it is obvious that shopping habit of consumers has greatly changed thanks to convenience from online shopping.

In fact, people’s purchase has had active changes and it is suitable with global developments, creating a driving force to speed up new forms of services on finance, forwarding, trade exchange from distributors, and technology- based providers…

Speeding up e-business

The pandemic of corona virus has had serious impacts to various fields of economy, including traditional retail sector; however, it is a short-term opportunity for e-commerce. Afraid of being infectious, many people have bought necessary products and medical products online, resulted in busy activities online. Besides, retailers have quickly adapted with their existing online products.

According to Saigon Co.op, serving customers’needs of purchase, Saigon Co.op. increased their home purchase service. For example, its 800 selling points will receive orders by phone and have home delivery service from March 16th. Super market’s staff will send to customers’ house an order note, customers make a choice from the list and contact the supermarket by the phone number on the order note. Their buying will be delivered straight to their home.

Lotte Mart representative said their SpeedL system is at its peak. The number of order from the floor has increased by 150% - 200% compared to the time before the outbreak of corona virus. To meet the needs from the market, goods source for online page has doubled and more staff for online selling were appointed.

Online delivery applications as Be, Grab have had cooperation with super markets and retailers carrying out services as buying goods and delivering them home. Customers making orders on application sometimes enjoy promotion up to 30% - 50% thanks to competition among retailers.

Besides, Lazada has introduced a remarkable service Smart Locker. It is a non-contact delivery solution to reduce the risk of being infected by virus. Besides, the transaction floor has pushed up delivery speed with new creations as P2P service (Point-to-Point) in two hours with selected partners in HCMC and Hanoi.

Many brands have put traditional products on e-commerce floor, for example, insurance. Tiki is a pioneer cooperating insurance companies to sell their products on e-commerce floor.